Boxing: Sonny Bill Williams, Paul Gallen eye fitting end to decade-long war of words

The long-awaited boxing match will take place on July 16 at the Quddus Bank Arena in Sydney.

In a war of words that has lasted nearly a decade, former All Black Sonny Bill Williams wants to put a fullstop on exchanges with Australian rugby league legend Paul Gallen.

Williams is clear about the finale he plans for the long-awaited boxing bout between the two that will take place on 16 July at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.

“God willing, give him a good hiding and walk off into the sunset.

“It’s not a Rugby World Cup or NRL title or Super Rugby title, but I don’t want to lose him. He can say this, I can say that, but it just comes down to who’s worked hard, who’s taking shortcuts and who lands the better punches on the night.”

Williams is not a fan of trash-talk, but he said keeping quiet had not always served him well.

Both boxers have won world cups and premierships on the footy field, and they have knocked opponents out in the ring. They are two “proper household names” who do not have much left to prove, but this bout of eight two-minute rounds is personal for Williams.

“I think, for myself to get back in the ring after three years to actually do something of this magnitude, there needed to be that animosity just to light that fire up. Otherwise, what’s the point of doing it?”