Brock Lesnar could’ve fought crossover boxing star who grossed $25m and beat Mark Hunt

Brock Lesnar was once in talks for a crossover bout with Paul Gallen, Australia’s former rugby league player turned professional boxer.

Lesnar hasn’t fought since 2016, when he defeated Mark Hunt at UFC 200, although the bout was later ruled a no-contest.

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The former UFC heavyweight champion has consistently been linked with a return to Dana White‘s promotion.

Members of the MMA fraternity speculated that Lesnar would return for UFC 300 in April 2024 due to his involvement in both UFC 100 and UFC 200.

Others have fantasised over a potential return at UFC White House in June, with UFC CEO White stating that he will create ‘the greatest fight card ever assembled’ for the iconic event.

While Lesnar has made a grand return to the WWE this year, not many fans would expect to hear that ‘The Beast Incarnate’ came close to boxing Australia’s hard-hitting crossover king Gallen.

How Brock Lesnar vs Paul Gallen almost happened

Speaking to Fox Sports Australia, No Limit Boxing CEO George Rose revealed that he was close to making Lesnar vs Gallen after the latter defeated Hunt in 2020.

“At one stage, we were actually eyeing off a fight between [Gallen] and Brock Lesnar,” Rose said.

“It was after beating Mark Hunt from memory.”

Gallen transitioned to professional boxing in 2014 and won nine of his first 10 bouts, with one ending in a majority draw against former Aussie rules player Barry Hall.

He then fought MMA veteran Hunt, outpointing the New Zealander in Parramatta after six rounds.

Gallen has since gone on to face many of Australia’s combat sports elites like Lucas Browne and Justis Huni.

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In his final pro bout six months ago, the 44-year-old claimed a split decision win over All Blacks legend Sonny Bill Williams.

Somewhere in a parallel universe, Gallen may have also had Lesnar on his resume.

‘Timing’ stopped Lesnar vs Gallen fight from happening

“Once Gallen [defeated Hunt], it really was a case of ‘f*** who can’t he beat?’ At least in the crossover space,” Rose added.

“Which is when we started talking about Lesnar. There was a point in time when Lesnar was coming down here with the WWE, so we had some talks.

“We were trying to see how we could work his visit in with a fight – we already knew [Gallen] was in, because he always said yes.

“It was, ‘Pay me, I’ll fight him,’ because the guy literally feared no one.

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“I mean, he was coming off a win against Mark Hunt, one of the greatest knockout artists in the history of combat sports…

“But unfortunately, we just couldn’t get the timing with Brock to work out, so the fight never happened.”

Rose was speaking ahead of Australian rugby league star Nelson Asofa-Solomona’s boxing debut in Brisbane on Friday.

Asofa-Solomona faces Jeremy Latimore, who will have Gallen as part of his entourage on fight night.

Rose could look to lure Gallen out of retirement to fight the winner, adding that he’d be confident of landing the crossover king a bout with a name like Jake Paul should he return to the ring.

It is reported that Gallen grossed an estimated $25million during the height of his crossover boxing career.

While a bout with Lesnar is definitely off the cards at this stage, fans could see Gallen back in the ring for one last dance in the future.

Lesnar, meanwhile, last appeared in the WWE at Survivor Series: WarGames in November.

He has been linked with a return at the 39th annual Royal Rumble in Saudi Arabia on January 31.