NSW State of Origin rugby league captain Paul Gallen has proved he could box as well as brawl, as he maintained his perfect professional boxing record with a unanimous four-round points win over Randall Rayment.
He threw some terrific uppercuts and body shots and supplemented his power punches with the occasional jab in the fight, which marked the first time he had been taken the distance.
Gallen, who now has a 3-0 record, got tagged at the end of the second and a couple of times in the third, but always came roaring back, much to the delight of the crowd at Allphones Arena in Sydney.
Rayment (1-1), who is primarily a mixed martial arts fighter, did a lot of holding and pushing.
While that frustrated Gallen, the Kangaroos star said he wasn't hurt by any of his opponent's punches, as he delivered the most complete and accomplished performance of his boxing career.
"I did what (trainer) Graham (Shaw) wanted me to do, box rather than just rushing in, but I probably did rush in a bit, I get excited," Gallen said.
"But I'm probably going to have to say it is (my best boxing performance)."
He said but wanted to concentrate on his rugby league in the immediate future, before looking at potential showdown with dual international Sonny Bill Williams next year.
"I just want to get back to footy and put my heart and soul into footy," Gallen said.
"It's my last year on contract, I don't know what's going to happen there.
"Come the end of the year, I'll look at it (boxing). but my main goal is just to get back to footy at the moment."
All Blacks forward Liam Messam (1-0) made a successful professional debut over Queenslander Rhys Sullivan (0-4).
Messam, who lost to Gallen and beat Wendell Sailor in charity bouts in New Zealand, dominated the fight.
With Anthony Mundine barking instructions from his corner, the 40-Test All Black alternated his attacks between head and body.
"He looked like a professional in there, he looked like he could fight," Mundine said.
Sydney Roosters NRL prospect Willis Meehan (3-0, 2 K0s) maintained his pristine professional record with a second round stoppage of American Freddy Miller (3-10-1, 2 KOs).
