Sonny Brawl Williams stepping back in ring

Sonny Bill Williams will make his return to the boxing ring on tonight against Waikato Falefehi (2-14).

The former Bulldogs, Roosters and All Blacks league and rugby star has been training in secret before resuming his boxing career, according to Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.

The fight against Falefehi ends a six-year exile from the ring. Williams’ last fight came against American Chauncy Welliver in January 2015, which the Kiwi won via unanimous decision.

The 35-year-old will fight at the Townsville Entertainment Centre, and will look to increase his boxing record to 8-0. The fight will be on a card headlined by Mark Flanagan and Ben Kelleher facing off for the vacant Australian cruiserweight belt.

The heavyweight will no doubt have seen the success of fellow league-star-turned-boxer Paul Gallen (11-1-1) in the ring and financially, with the Sharks legend raking in $1.275 million for his troubles in a knockout loss to against Justis Huni.

Williams’ bout against Falefehi represents something of a yardstick so he can measure how much ring rust he’s accumulated before a potential push for a fight against the former New South Wales State of Origin league captain.

Gallen has made no secret about wanting to fight Williams. When asked last year about the likely outcome of a battle between the two, Gallen said: “Would I beat Sonny? Yes.”

“It would be a good fight; he’s a big guy with some experience under his belt,” said the now Channel 9 TV pundit. “But I know that with the pressure I put on, if he can’t get me in the first few rounds, I’d come over the top of him and wear him out.”