Former Sydney Swans captain Barry Hall has secured a boxing bout with rugby (league and union) phenom Sonny Bill Williams for early 2022.
The pair of footy legends from opposing codes have been rumoured to fight for the last couple of years since Hall took on Cronulla Sharks great Paul Gallen in his only professional fight in 2019, which went the distance and resulted in a draw.
โItโs been spoken about, this fight, for a very long time. I fought Paul Gallen coming up on two years ago now and we were talking about that fight (with SBW) around that time," Hall told Fox Sports.
โIโm not 'Benjamin Button,' I canโt turn back the age clock. But Iโve still got the skills. Iโm fit, Iโve got the boxing knowledge, Iโve got a good amateur pedigree. I can absolutely hang with these guys.
โIโm happy to fight him tomorrow.โ
Williams spoke on his desire to reignite his dormant boxing career after calling time on his football career in March.
Shortly after, he defeated Waikato Falefehi to win his first fight in six years, raising awareness of his intentions to take on high-profile ex-footballers in the foreseeable future.
โFor me, Iโm in it for the challenge, he told ABC Radio.
โWhen it comes to fighting Paul Gallen or Barry Hall, those guys are all part of the process but for me, itโs about the daily grind and being wholeheartedly in it.
โThat stems from something more than say, โIโve got my eyes on solely focused on Paul Gallen or Barry Hall."
Hall believes heโs continuing to improve during this point in his boxing career and is confident in his abilities to push the much younger Williams before he too calls time on his athletic career.
โThatโs just the mindset Iโve got. Iโll fight anyone. Give me 8-10 weeks and Iโll fight anyone," he added.
โIf I was in the gym now and struggling and slowing down I probably wouldnโt even consider doing it, but Iโm not.
โIโm actually improving, Iโm getting better. My punching power has gone through the roof since the Gallen fight so I actually canโt wait to get in there and show people what I can do.
โIโve got a good (fitness) base under my belt. Iโm miles ahead of where I started with the Paul Gallen first fight.
The fight is scheduled to take place sometime next February, with further details about the venue and broadcasting to come soon.