Eddie Hearn has been filmed trying to persuade YouTube star Jake Paul to accept a prime-time fight with Sonny Bill Williams in Australia.
Paul is eyeing a return to the boxing ring in August for his sixth professional bout and named the two-time Rugby World Cup winner with on his list of potential opponents. Williams has an extensive background in fighting having an undefeated nine-fight record which includes a recent KO victory over AFL star Barry Hall.
And Matchroom Boxing kingpin Hearn is trying to persuade Paul that a fight with Williams would be his biggest current option. In the footage, Hearn opens the conversation by suggesting: "You know the fight for you? Sonny Bill Williams. In Australia, on a Sunday afternoon. Prime time here in the US, huge global audience from rugby and it's a good fight, he's a bit bigger than you."
Paul responded: "Is he a heavyweight?" Hearn quickly fired back: "He is, but I reckon he can come down … I reckon he could make cruiser." Williams is a similar height to Paul although the New Zealander would need to reduce his size after weighing in at around 240lbs for his fighting with Hall.
The 36-year-old is also planning a ring return in August, with Williams' coach Andy Lee first suggesting a potential meeting with Paul on social media. Williams has since revealed that Paul's team have reached out to hold talks over a bout, which he is confident of winning at a catchweight.
“I’m maybe looking at August, getting back in the ring,” Williams told Nine and Stan Sport. " Jake Paul, his people have reached out to mine and they’re talking so who knows. 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. That’s how I think it will play out, I could fight him in many ways. At the same time there are a lot of other options out there for us too, it’s just deciphering what’s best for us.
"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."
