Careful what you wish for: Sonny Bill gets nod to fight Iron Mike

Rugby star Sonny Bill Williams’ football club said he is free to fight boxing legend Mike Tyson. One former boxing champ said SBW should stay well clear of Iron Mike – even at the age of 53.

Sonny Bill Williams’ Super League club has given him the green light to fight Mike Tyson in a potential million dollar match.

Toronto Wolfpack chairman Bob Hunter told News Corp Australia that Williams was allowed in his contract to continue boxing in the off season.

Williams moved to the Wolfpack, a Canadian rugby league team which plays in the English Super League, this year.

Mr Hunter said on the phone from Canada that he was blindsided by a promoter’s announcement of a potential clash between the boxing legend and Williams.

Tyson fells Clifford Etienne in 2003. Picture: AP

At his peak, Iron Mike was said to have the biggest ever punch in boxing. Picture: AP

“I’m not sure I would want to fight Mike Tyson, but if Sonny is interested he can go for it,” he said.

“He’s allowed to fight, one fight or two fights, his contact allows it, it’s up to him.”

Tyson, 53, was one of the world’s most famous boxer’s who delivered one of the world’s best cameos in the movie The Hangover.

He has been back in the gym and looks like he was fit enough to go in the ring, according to photographs posted online.

Mike Tyson in quarantine training today #boxing #boxeo pic.twitter.com/K0VQgL9ob6

— The Koncrete Jungle (@TheKJungle) May 1, 2020

Sonny Bill squares off against Francois Botha in Brisbane in 2013. Picture: Jono Searle

Retired AFL star Barry Hall and ex NRL player Paul Gallen, who have both become boxers, were also potential match-ups.

Bookmakers are now taking bets on Tyson, who was jailed for rape, getting back into the ring this year.

Tyson in Vegas in 1997. Picture: AP

There have been reports that a promoter would offer $1 million for Williams, who has a 7-0 winning boxing record, to fight Tyson in Melbourne.

SBW faces the prospect of rumbling with Mike Tyson. Picture: Annette Dew

But Australian boxing legend Jeff Fenech, a close friend of Tyson, said Williams would “end up in a morgue” if he stepped into the ring with “Iron Mike”.

“Let me tell you something. If he hits Sonny Bill Williams or Paul Gallen, he will be up for manslaughter.

“I’m serious. If he punched Paul Gallen, he could kill him. These guys have never been punched by somebody like Mike.

“More than likely they will be in the morgue the next day.

“Fighting Sonny Bill? Who has Sonny Bill fought? Sonny Bill won’t even fight Paul Gallen because I don’t believe he can beat him.”

Fenech was known as the Marrickville Mauler at his peak, seen here in 1987. Picture: Supplied

Williams, a father of four, has been training in Manchester at home with his family under lockdown.

The Super League season has been postponed, along with other major sporting codes including the English Premier League soccer.

However, Germany’s Bundesliga has received government approval to restart games on May 16 behind closed doors.

Williams, who joined the Wolfpack on a $10 million AUD two-year deal, has taken a pay cut alongside his teammates during lockdown.

Tyson (left) infamously bites the ear of Evander Holyfield during WBA Heavyweight match in Las Vegas, 1997. Picture: Supplied

Mr Hunter said he was in contact with Super League and they were looking at return strategies.

“The season is still alive, we were only six games into our 29 games,” he said.

“Like the NRL we are trying to get closed stadium games.”

He said that the league was in the hands of the UK and Canadian governments on when they could resume.

Williams told News Corp Australia last year that he was watching the Hall and Gallen fight closely and he would be happy to fight the winner.

[e-mail]

Originally published as Careful what you wish for: Sonny Bill gets nod to fight Iron Mike