It was nothing but love at Thursday’s pre-fight press conference but Mark Hunt has warned Sonny Bill Williams he still has one more knockout punch left in his battle-scarred hands.
Hunt, 48, has proven how seriously he is taking the bout by shedding 28kg from his powerful frame, eating right and sweating it out in a training stint in Thailand.
Williams is 9-0 as a professional boxer but admits he is taking a step into the unknown against the MMA legend.
Sonny Bill Williams will face Mark Hunt in a titanic heavyweight clash on November 5. Watch live and exclusive on Stan
SBW, Hunt square off at presser
“Sonny hasn’t faced anyone as tough as I am,” Hunt said at Sydney’s ICC.
“He’s used to the big stage and the bright lights (as a rugby and league player) but fighting is different, we all know that. I’ve been fighting since I came out of the womb.”
Hunt hasn’t fought since the 2020 points loss to Paul Gallen.
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In an ideal world, he said he would sign off with a win and use his hefty pay cheque to fund his ongoing legal battle with the UFC.
“It’s a special occasion for me to be hopefully hanging up the gloves,” Hunt said.
“I’m thankful that it’s Sonny Bill. He’s a phenomenal athlete but he’ll have to earn my respect in the ring. I’ve got a lot left I’d say and hopefully I’ve got one (more knockout) on the weekend.”
Williams listened on intently as Hunt spoke.
He is drawing confidence from his last-start demolition of Barry Hall but knows how crafty and dangerous the ‘Super Samoan’ can be with a nothing to lose attitude.
“There’s a saying in boxing that your power is the last thing to go,” Williams said.
“I grew up watching Mark Hunt and Ray Sefo and those were the guys you tried to emulate at school. Not getting into fights every day but the David Tua, Mark Hunt left hook, walk-off knockout. God willing that doesn’t happen on Saturday night.
“It’s exciting, it’s daunting, there’s anxiety – all of it.”
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