PAUL Gallen hopes to earn a cheer from Novocastrians for the first time in his illustrious sporting career when he appears in what could be swansong boxing bout, at the Newcastle Entertainment Centre on May 11.
During his 18-season NRL stint with Cronulla, Gallen played 28 games against the Knights and was one of the opposition players Newcastle fans loved to hate - if only because they wished he was on their team.
The 40-year-old warrior admitted on Wednesday he had basically given up on the prospect of fighting former NRL rival Sonny Bill Williams, which means the 15th stoush of his career, against Kris Terzievski, could also be his last.
"It would be nice to get a cheer when I walk out there, without a doubt," he said. "It's better than getting booed.
"But I've been here in Merewether the last hour and a half and everyone has been really nice. They've been saying hello and getting photos with me, so if Merewether is anything to go by, hopefully it'll be a good night.
"It would certainly be nice to have Newcastle supporting me. I've been there before on fight nights, and it's always a great atmosphere, so it's exciting."
Gallen said it may well be the last time he steps in a ring.
"I'm definitely retiring this year, without a doubt. I've been saying that for more than 12 months now, so everyone knows I'm retiring," he said. "I've been lucky enough to be a professional athlete for over 20 years now, and there comes a time when you have to put the family first and other things first.
"So this could be my last fight. Who knows?"
As for his much-hyped potential blockbuster with SBW, Gallen said: "It's just not going to happen. That's just the way it is. I've got Kris Terzievski to worry about ... if I win this one, maybe I can live to fight another day. We'll wait and see."
If it is to be his last bout, Gallen has no desire to bow out a loser, especially with an Australasian title up for grabs.
"But I'm under no illusions about how hard this fight is going to be," he said. "This guy's got a record of 10 wins and only one loss, so it's going to be a tough fight."
Nikita Tszyu and Olympian Harry Garside will feature on a star-studded undercard.
Garside defends his Australian lightweight title against Layton McFerran, and Tszyu takes on the undefeated light-middleweight Mason Smith in his second professional fight.
