Rugby Union

SONNY BILL WILLIAMS has revealed talks have started for a fight against Jake Paul. YouTuber-turned prizefighting star Paul announced he will return to the ring in August for his sixth professional bout.
Jake Paul is in talks to fight Sonny Bill WilliamsCredit: Rex
Sonny Bill Williams is a New Zealand rugby world cup winnerCredit: Getty
The American named New Zealand rugby World Cup winner Williams as a potential opponent.
And now talks have started between the pair as Paul was warned not to underestimate the All Blacks legend.
Williams, 36, told Nine and Stan Sport: “I’m maybe looking at August, getting back in the ring.
“Jake Paul, his people have reached out to mine and they’re talking so who knows.
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“The main thing is I’m very excited and very grateful to be back in the ring, on Stan, boxing.
“If he does decide to take that fight, he would have underestimated me quite a bit by watching old footage, old fights.
“I feel in the last six months I’ve improved tenfold, so it’s the confidence I have in my ability.”
Williams has been a boxer since 2009 but juggled it with a rugby career. His record now stands at 9-0.
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That was until he retired in 2021 to focus on fighting and most recently knocked out Australian rugby rules footballer Barry Hall, 45.
Paul, 25, only had his first fight in 2020, beating online rival ‘AnEsonGib’.
He followed that up with KOs over ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 37, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 37.
Paul then beat ex-UFC champion Tyron Woodley, 40, on points and then by knockout.
The rematch followed after Tommy Fury, 22, pulled out of their celebrity grudge match with a broken rib.
It means Paul is yet to face a recognised boxer but Williams is ready to change that.
A weight agreement would need to be struck as Paul has fought only at 190lb (13st 5lb), just under the cruiserweight limit.
And Williams, a heavyweight, last scaled at 240lb (17st 1lb) meaning he would need to come down.
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He said: “It would probably be a catchweight fight, I’d probably have to drop under 100kg.
“I know he sits at around 95-96kg, so that could work. He’s a powerful athlete and I’m exactly the same, except a bigger version, a taller version, a longer-limbed version.
“I’m just as good on my feet, if not better than he is.”
Sonny Bill Williams is 9-0 as a boxerCredit: Getty
Jake Paul knocked out Tyron Woodley in their rematchCredit: Getty Images – Getty More