What’s the Buzz: Sonny Bill Williams to fight Mark Hunt after Paul Gallen talks break down

Retired footy star Sonny Bill Williams will return to the ring next month, taking on a rival 12 years his senior, after negotiations with Paul Gallen broke down.

Retired footy star Sonny Bill Williams is to fight 48-year-old UFC heavyweight Mark Hunt next month.

Hunt lost to Paul Gallen over six rounds at CommBank Stadium 18 months ago and has not fought since.

He is 12 years older than SBW, who has been forced to take the fight after negotiations fell over for a fight with Gallen.

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Sonny Bill Williams will return to the boxing ring next month.

TRIPLE M SIDELINES SAILOR

He is known as one of rugby league’s most loveable characters and recognisable voices.

But Wendell Sailor won’t be heard on radio for the next couple of weeks.

The ex-dual international footy star has mysteriously been taken off the airwaves at Sydney’s Triple M network from the popular Rush Hour show.

Friends are concerned for the colourful media personality, who was sent home from work last Tuesday before the show went to air.

There are reports Sailor turned up to work in an inebriated state.

Jude Bolton, Gus Worland and Wendell Sailor host the Rush Hour weekdays on Triple M. Picture: Tim Hunter

The former dual international usually appears alongside Gus Worland and former Swans star Jude Bolton on weekdays between 4pm-6pm.

The network has hired Candice Warner to fill in for the next two weeks while Wendell hopefully sorts himself out.

There was another incident earlier this year at Magic Round in Brisbane when Sailor turned up late for one of his shifts. He did not go to air.

A Triple M spokesman told The Sunday Telegraph: “Wendell is on personal leave for two weeks. We won’t be commenting any further.”

Head of content Rex Morris did not return phone calls or text messages.

Friends and his colleagues at the network are rallying around the former Dragons and Broncos star.

“We’re really keen to help get him right,” a friend said. “He’s an emotional guy but he’s got a good heart. He’s been given some time off to get himself sorted so it’s up to him now.”

Many blame Sailor’s recent struggles on the court case earlier this year in which his footy player son Tristan faced sexual assault charges. He was found not guilty.

The matter had played out in the media for 18 months.

Sailor did not return our phone calls.

Originally published as What’s the Buzz: Sonny Bill Williams to fight Mark Hunt after Paul Gallen talks break down