Rugby league legend Sonny Bill Williams has revealed Jake Paul’s team has contacted him over a potential fight later this year. Paul, who is hoping to fight again in August, recently named the iconic cross-code star on his six-man hitlist of opponents he could face next.
Williams, who had a spell in Super League with Toronto Wolfpack during the 2019 campaign, is undefeated in nine professional fights and knocked out AFL star Barry Hall last month. The former All Black is also looking to fight again in August, matching Paul's targeted return date.
Paul has been heavily criticised for not fighting an 'actual boxer' during his short-lived career, but Williams matches up well for the YouTube star as the pair are a similar height and weight.
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“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. 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. 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."
Former world champion Andy Lee, who is Williams' coach, was the first to suggest a potential fight with Paul as he tweeted "Future fight Sonny Bill Williams vs Jake Paul". Williams would face a big weight cut to fight at Paul's weight of 192lb, with the former Canterbury Bulls and Sydney Roosters man weighing around 229lbs for his previous fights.
Williams started his boxing career whilst still playing rugby in 2009. He won the WBA International heavyweight title in 2013, but took a six-year break from the ring after winning his seventh professional fight in 2015.
Williams made his comeback last year, winning a decision against Waikato Falefehi.
