Boxer Mitchel Stapleton on Barry Hall, Sonny Bill Williams undercard

Big Bad Barry Hall, Sonny Bill Williams and Coffs Coast excitement machine Mitchel Stapleton are going to walk into a room. And there will be mayhem. See what’s going down.

Rising Coffs Coast professional boxer Mitchel Stapleton will feature on the Barry Hall-Sonny Bill Williams undercard in a subscription TV festival of the fist in Sydney.

The bout will be the 22-year-old’s first outing since Covid gave the sport a standing eight-count almost two years back.

Stapleton, undefeated as a pro with two wins both by first round knockouts, faces a significant step-up in quality when he meets Michael Hall in a welterweight clash at Aware Super Theatre, ICC Sydney, on March 23.

Mitchel 'Dynamite Kid' Stapleton of Nambucca Heads will fight Michael Hall in a welterweight contest on March 23. Picture: Chris Knight

It’s already been an incredible journey for the youngster who was told he would never play sport again after a debilitating illness.

The pair will go toe-to-toe in a card headlined by former footy stars, Sydney Swans AFL legend Barry Hall and dual rugby league and union international Sonny Bill Williams.

Sydney-based Michael Hall (no relation to Barry) has had nine fights as a pro for seven wins (five by knockout), a draw and a loss.

Mitchel Stapleton says his skills will be too much for Michael Hall.

“I don’t know too much about him - seen a bit of footage,” said Stapleton, who was born and raised in the Nambucca Valley and fights under the name of Dynamite Kid.

“He’s (Hall) got a good workrate and comes forward.

“But I think my skills will be too much for him.”

The bout is set down for six three-minute rounds, but given both fighters’ records it’s unlikely to go the distance before someone is planted in their trunks.

Father and son Ian “Sparra” Stapleton and rising lord of the ring Mitchel. Picture: Chris Knight

Stapleton, a five-time national amateur champion, is trained by his father, Ian “Sparra” Stapleton, from their garage gym at their Nambucca Heads home.

The Dynamite Kid said he hadn’t met Barry Hall or Sonny Bill - but was expecting fireworks when the two powerhouses get it on in one of the most anticipated fights in recent times.

“I’m leaning toward Barry because he can box, but I haven’t seen much of Sonny Bill,” Stapleton said.

Sparra was hedging toward the former Canterbury Bulldogs, Sydney Roosters and All Black to get the job done.

Mitchel Stapleton receives a congratulatory kiss from sister Keeley after winning a bout as a youngster. Picture: Stuart Turner

“He’s (Sonny Bill) been training with (world heavyweight champion) Tyson Fury in England,” Sparra said.

Stapleton Jnr said his camp for the Hall fight was on track.

“I’ve had some really good sparring up in Queensland, and trained with Timmy Tszyu,” he said.

“I was supposed to be on the Nikita Tszyu undercard with three opponents lined up but they all fell over.”