Sonny Bill Williams will make a secret return to the boxing ring in Townsville

Sonny Bill Williams was left running from TV crews in bizarre scenes as his plans for a secret boxing return were dashed.

Sonny Bill Williams will return to boxing. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

Sonny Bill Williams has left fight officials scrambling with weight scales through the carpark of the Ville Resort-Casino after he sensationally brushed the Fight For The Future official weigh in.

Williams was left running from two TV camera crews at the official weigh in and refused to get on the scales unless it was in a private room back at his hotel.

Williams has made it clear he did not want any media attention prior to his return to the ring for the first time in more than five years.

Williams’ support crew which included out of favour Broncos star Tevita Pangai Jr and former Wallaby Quade Cooper, were both spotted in the carpark of the casino but also ran from the media.

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Ace Boxing Group promoter, who has organised the Townsville fight night, Angelo Di Carlo said he had managed to keep the return under wraps for six weeks, but unfortunately it had gotten out on the fights eve.

It is understood Williams must weigh in within 24 hours of his fight with Waikato Falefhai to ensure the battle can go ahead in the Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre.

Falefhai was also left scrambling with officials unsure when and where the weigh in would occur.

SBW TO MAKE SECRET BOXING RETURN

Sonny Bill Williams will make a secret return to the boxing ring on Saturday night in Townsville.

Williams has been in secret training to resume his boxing career and has planned a covert return in Townsville away from the boxing public.

The secret return was an opportunity for Williams to avoid embarrassment and brush off the ring rust brought about by having not fought since 2015 as well as an opportunity to properly assess where he is at without critical appraisal.

Williams will fight Waikato Falefehi at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on a fight card scheduled to be headed by Mark Flanagan’s tilt against Ben Kelleher for the vacant Australian cruiserweight title.

Sonny Bill Williams will make his return to the ring on Saturday night in Townsville. Picture: Getty Images

The secret return is part of a grander plan for Williams to finally get in the ring against Paul Gallen, to cash in on the Australian boxing carousel that could also see a fight against former AFL star Barry Hall or current Australian heavyweight Justis Huni.

Williams (7-0) won a version of the New Zealand heavyweight belt in his fifth fight against Clarence Tillman but has not fought since he unanimously beat Chauncey Welliver over eight rounds at Olympic Park in 2015.

On paper it looks like an easy night for Williams, based on Falefehi’s 2-14 record, but it might not be as straightforward as it sounds.

Falefehi has a reputation around the game for accepting fights at late notice after a fighter withdraws from the card and has, several times, taken a fight on as late as a day’s notice.

According to boxing insiders, though, he has had a solid preparation this time around and will present in the best shape he has been in for a fight.

That won’t be enough against Williams, though, who took former world heavyweight challenger Frans Botha the full 10 rounds for a controversial win eight years ago.

Originally published as Sonny Bill Williams will make a secret return to the boxing ring in Townsville