Sonny Bill KO’s use of ring girls
Sonny Bill Williams and his agent Khoder Nasser sent two ring girls out of a press conference promoting the All Black’s upcoming fight with Australian millionaire Stu Laundy.
Williams was upset with the decision to use the women and voiced this with the fight’s promoter, Max Markson, Channel Nine reported.
The fight, promoted by Markson as ‘‘The Banger Under the Hanger’’ aims to raise funds for reverend Bill Crews’ Exodus Foundation, which cares for Sydney’s homeless.
Both Williams, a devout Muslim, and the foundation disagreed with the use of the ring girls, who were wearing gold swimwear, and asked for them to leave. The fight takes place in Sydney tonight. Channel Nine’s Danny Weidler said the press conference was awkward. ‘‘There was a drama.
‘‘The presence of scantily clad ring girls at the media opportunity . . . both Williams and his agent [Khoder Nasser] are devout Muslims and asked that they be removed,’’
‘‘It is what it is and that’s the business we’re in, but for myself I don’t think it was necessary bringing them here.’’
Sonny Bill Williams on ring girls appearing at a pre-fight promotion
Weidler said.
‘‘Later representatives of Crews’ charity and Khoder Nassar tore strips off promoter Max Markson.’’
Williams told Nine that Nasser was right to give Markson orders to send the women away.
‘‘So he should have,’’ he said. Williams said it was not something he would have organised.
‘‘It is what it is and that’s the business we’re in, but for myself I don’t think it was necessary bringing them here.’’
Laundy is well known in Australia as a contestant on the third season of Australia’s The Bachelorette and he has no background in boxing.
Williams, 33, is unbeaten in seven bouts, winning three of them by knockout.
His return for the bout, his first since 2015, has raised eyebrows as he is on rehab for a shoulder injury suffered during the All Blacks’ recent European tour.
Williams confirmed that he has a gentlemen’s agreement with Laundy not to cause excessive injury during their exhibition fight.
‘‘I think like we said before that the underlying cause outweighs that, we’ve got a gentlemen’s agreement,’’ he said.