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Sonny Bill Williams talks tactics ahead of his fight - Source: Photosport -
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It had barely been mentioned over the ditch but now a leading Australian newspaper is slamming Sonny Bill Williams' fight against a Tongan fighter in Auckland this Sunday.
The Daily Telegraph in Sydney is leading its website with a headline that says 'Sonny Bill v Lard of the Ring,' in reference to SBW's opponent - 123kg, 43-year-old Alipate Liava'a.
It goes on to question why SBW, who so far in his brief boxing career has been untested in three bouts against similarly out-of-shape fighters, will take on a gospel singer who has lost his previous seven fights.
Writer Nick Walshaw described the opponent as "a boxer who, despite boasting some resemblance to fellow Island heavyweight David Tua, enjoys a win rate to rival poker machines".
Williams however disputed that he was fighting an easy opponent on TV ONE's Close Up this week, citing that Liava'a has seven more fights than him.
"You got to understand that I know where I am with sport and I never had an amateur career... so it's going to a challenge for me," Williams said.
SBW is gifting his entire $100,000 purse to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal but Walshaw was less than charitable in his assessment.
"Their bout just happens to be headlining a hyped card where pay-per-view numbers have absolutely no bearing on the money raised for charity."
