Unheralded Kriz Terzievski is the new Australian heavyweight boxing champion after outlasting Paul Gallen in an epic 10-round battle in Newcastle.
Terzievski dominated for much of the encounter but had to survive an heroic ninth-round fightback from Gallen before gaining the judges' decision on Wednesday night.
Gallen had been bidding to become the first cross-code athlete to claim the national heavyweight belt as well the Australasian heavyweight strap.
Instead the 40-year-old rugby league great turned pugilist will again ponder retirement after Terzievski was hailed the "King of the Castle".
