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Paul Gallen vs Barry Hall Odds & Picks

Dylan Bowker

by Dylan Bowker in Boxing

Updated Apr 9, 2020 · 2:14 PM PDT

Gallen vs Hall
Gallen vs Hall goes on Friday, November 15th. Photo by @ParallelEJ (Twitter)
  • Gallen vs Hall goes Friday, November 15th at 7:30 pm EST
  • Can Hall make a big impression in his pro-Boxing debut?
  • Odds suggest Gallen will notch his tenth professional victory as a pugilist

Gallen vs Hall is a six-round heavyweight bout that will draw in multiple audiences across multiple sports. Paul Gallen is a rugby league great with tenures on St Kilda and later Sydney and the Western Bulldogs. Australian football legend Barry Hall dons the gloves again for the first time in over a quarter-century.

It’s AFL vs NRL this Friday in a battle that has been dubbed Code War. The event emanates from Margaret Court Arena on Friday, November 15th in Melbourne, Australia. Multiple title bouts bolster this card but Gallen vs Hall is drawing in the most attention. The odds for this fight and my analysis of the bout can be found by scrolling below.

Gallen vs Hall Odds

Fighter Odds
Paul Gallen -140
Barry Hall +110

Odds taken Nov. 12th

Both men were regarded, in their respective endeavors, as hard hitters who were often in hot water. The temperament of these two coupled with the notoriety each has with their respective audiences, this one will draw a unique crowd.

The usual core Boxing audience will be there but this prizefight will draw collective fascination from several sports. Hall has been in loose talks to make a pro-Boxing debut since 2012 but it is now finally coming to fruition. He is being brazen and taking on quite the challenge here. I just don’t think Hall’s bold maneuver will pay dividends for him.

Gallen Hands Hall his First Defeat

A curious facet of this fight is that the round increments will be two minutes instead of the commonplace three minutes. This does not sit well with Gallen who theorizes that a decision has been made to give Hall an advantage. Gallen also is bitter about Hall not doing enough to promote the fight, in his estimation. Both men have exchanged various bits of banter ahead of this one. Hall has described Gallen as being a not very liked human being and theorizes with ten-ounce gloves at play, that someone invariably hits the mat.

Hall is a debutant fighter quite late getting into the game. Conversely, Gallen has a lot more experience in comparison. That isn’t to say that Hall is altogether unfamiliar with boxing. He did have some amateur experience but his last fight was at 16 years of age. Hall will enter the ring for his tenth bout and last time out defeated John Hopoate; A seasoned pro of 17 fights.

One noticeable stat is the height of the two men. Hall has a five-inch height advantage and based on media faceoff pictures, he looks to have quite a larger physical frame than Gallen in terms of musculature. Though his reach isn’t disclosed, presumably he would also have a significant advantage here as well.

Gallen vs Hall Tale of the Tape

Gallen
VS
Hall
9-0 Record 0-0
5 Knockouts 0
5’11 Height 6’4
N/A Reach N/A

Hall is a physically imposing figure and has a well regarded athletic background. I just can’t overlook the experience difference between these two men though. Everybody has a puncher’s chance though and this is especially true with the hard-hitting heavyweights. Someone who also excelled in such a physical sport as Hall did could conceivably wow a lot of sweet science fans. Gallen has much more boxing experience though, is four years younger, and in all likelihood, I think Gallen gets a stoppage victory inside of five rounds.

Pick: Gallen (-140)

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