Ex-Rugby Player Sonny Bill Williams Poised For Boxing Return

Sonny Bill Williams is on the verge of a long-awaited return to the ring.

The cross-code megastar has reportedly been training "in secret" for a scheduled bout this weekend.

According to The Daily Telegraph, SBW will take on Waikato Falefehi on the Fight for the Future card at the Townsville Convention Centre.

The NRL Premiership and Rugby World Cup winner currently boasts an undefeated boxing record of 7-0 but hasn't fought professionally since 2015.

PA

Many are eager to see how the 35-year-old fares against Falefehi, but one bloke in particular will be keeping a very close eye.

Fellow ex-NRL player Paul Gallen has made no secret of the fact he wants to go toe-to-toe with age-old rival SBW inside the ring.

The pair have gone back-and-forth for some time now and it seems only inevitable that the trans-Tasman heavyweight clash will happen sometime soon.

"I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll fight Paul," Wiliams told Channel Nine back in March.

"But I've got to do my due diligence like he has in the past few years. You know what I mean? That means sizing him up."

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And when the duo shared the analyst panel during a recent NRL game, they couldn't help but trade a few cheeky verbals.

"He sized me up already tonight," Gallen said.

"He goes, 'You're a bit shorter than before'.

"I've got great respect for what Sonny has done in sport. But as I said, it remains to be seen whether this fight will happen.

"There's no announcement tonight. I've got a big fight coming up against a world-ranked opponent. It's a huge fight I'm preparing for.

"Maybe one day me and Sonny can happen. I've said it over and over for many years now, let's do it. I still have my doubts it will happen though, big boy.

"But one thing me and you are going to do is get paid. We know that."

Gallen is coming off his first career loss at the hands of Aussie Olympian Justis Huni.

In the aftermath of the bout, some fans and experts called for the 39-year-old former Cronulla Sharks captain to hang up the gloves.

But since then, Gallen hasn't confirmed whether he'll officially retire - perhaps leaving the door open for a fight against SBW.

Well, now that fascinating match-up seems closer than ever with both blokes stepping foot inside the ring just a matter of weeks apart.

Topics: Rugby, Boxing News, Paul Gallen, Sonny Bill Williams, Boxing, Rugby League, nrl, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry