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Barry Hall has landed the first blow ahead of his heavyweight clash with Sonny Bill Williams on Wednesday night, headbutting the former dual-code rugby star at Tuesday’s weigh-in after declaring his intention to claim victory by knockout.
The former Sydney Swans hardman has made a career of being a figure opposition fans love to hate, and against Williams, the former World Cup-winning All Black and NRL champion, he has accepted he will be fighting against an away crowd.
“There are a lot of people who don’t want me to win this fight, I understand that,” Hall said. “There’s a lot of money lost if he loses, I understand that also. That’s why I am predicting a knockout and that’s why I need a knockout. I am looking forward to it.”
Muted applause met Hall’s arrival on the scales in Darling Harbour on Tuesday afternoon, while the crowd was far more vocal for the entrance of his opponent. If Hall is to play the role of the villain on Wednesday night, he was well past the method acting stage at the weigh-in.
As the fighters went head-to-head for the traditional pre-fight photo, something caused Hall’s temper to boil over and he pushed his head into Williams’, causing the Kiwi to stumble backwards before lunging at Hall, prompting retired boxer Danny Green to intervene and separate the pair.
After tensions were diffused, 36-year-old Williams admitted there were a few butterflies in his stomach before his first fight in nine months, but he insisted that was more excitement than fear.
Barry Hall and Sonny Bill Williams had to be separated at the weigh-in.Credit:Jessica Hromas
“Of course I am nervous, but that’s a sign that I am ready to go,” Williams said. “[Today I will] just chill, watch a bit of Netflix, chill out, FaceTime the kids and then get ready for war tomorrow. ”
Williams is undefeated in eight career fights and has been tipped as a potential title contender by his trainer, Andy Lee. The 45-year-old Hall enters the second fight of his career and first since his draw with Paul Gallen in 2019. The former AFL star enters almost 12kg lighter than his opponent, notching 97.8 kg on the scales. Williams weighed in at 109.1 kg.