Sonny Bill Williams has embarked on one of the most punishing training blocks of his celebrated sporting career in preparation for his seventh professional boxing bout next month.
Williams will headline the action at the inaugural Footy Show Fight Night in Sydney on January 31, with NSW State of Origin captain Paul Gallen, Wallabies playmaker Quade Cooper, All Black Liam Messam and the Sydney Roosters’ young boxing powerhouse Willis Meehan all featuring on the undercard.
Unbeaten in six heavyweight contests since debuting in 2009, Williams will take on American Chauncy Welliver, a vastly experienced competitor and former New Zealand heavyweight champion.
It will be the dual international’s first fight since beating South African Frans Botha in a controversial 10-round encounter in February last year.
Williams, who returned to rugby after a successful two-year stint with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL, is juggling his preparation for the fight with pre-season training with the Chiefs ahead of their 2015 Super Rugby opener in February.
The 29-year-old also became a father for the first time last month when his wife Alana gave birth to daughter Imaan while he was on duty with the All Blacks in Europe.
“It’s very torturous,” Williams said on Friday.
“It’s a pre-season but it’s not just a physical pre-season. It’s a mental one as well because you’ve got to brace yourself for what’s coming – a 70-fight veteran that you have to worry about.
“It’s not an easy task, but the pleasing thing is it probably hasn’t weighed on me as much because of everything that’s happening at home.”
Williams knows well that Welliver’s no mug.
Australia’s world top 10-ranked heavyweight Lucas Brown last month became one of the first fighters to stop the New Zealand-based boxer.
“I’m definitely not taking him lightly,” Williams said. “He’s just real durable.
“And he comes to fight too, so I’m going to have to work on my defence a lot more.
“That’s what I’m going to have to work on with Tony Mundine and hopefully all those little things I’ve been working on I can show in six weeks’ time.
“The pleasing thing this time is that I get to have a good prep, a lot of training.
“I can bank on that going into the fight so, if it does go into the later rounds and I cop some heavy punches, I’ll be able to handle it a lot easier than last time.”
Williams sounded out All Blacks coach Steve Hansen before committing to the fight being broadcast live on Channel Nine, with proceeds from the event at Allphones Arena going to charity.
“The major concern for myself was getting his approval,” Williams said.
“He said that as long as I don’t get knocked out, he’s happy with it.
“So hopefully that’s the plan.”
Organisers have yet to finalise opponents for cruiserweight Cooper, who is undefeated in his two fights, or heavyweight Gallen.
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