Sonny Bill Williams has obliterated Barry Hall in the first round of their highly anticipated fight, dominating from the opening seconds before knocking the former AFL star out with a devastating right hand.
Williams landed two left hooks in the opening moments of the bout and came out by far the more aggressive fighter of the two, putting Hall on the back foot almost immediately.
Hall was knocked down inside the first minute of the fight, looked overwhelmed and couldn’t evade Williams’ powerful punches.
He was dropped to the canvas once more seconds later and didn’t respond when the referee asked if he was OK, but the fight was allowed to continue.
Sonny Bill Williams was a class above Barry Hall, completely dominating his opponent before putting him away in savage style in the first round
Barry Hall was never in the fight, getting knocked down within the first minute and proving an easy target for Williams’ powerful left hooks and deadly right hand
The referee had no choice but to rush in and put a stop to the contest after Hall took a huge shot to the chin and slumped to the canvas
Hall was soon left dazed by a straight right hand and he was easy pickings for SBW’s final shot, which boomed off ‘Big Bad’ Barry’s chin and saw the ref rush in to stop the contest.
The former St Kilda and Sydney Swans star was dropped a total of three times in just under three minutes, making a mockery Williams’ pre-bout observation that he would ‘have a real fight on my hands’.
Prior to the contest, Hall said he was aiming to fight NRL enforcer turned heavyweight boxer Paul Gallen after defeating Williams, but his beating at Sydney’s Exhibition Centre put paid to those plans and he’d be a long shot to fight again.
‘Much respect to Barry for coming here and doing this,’ a gracious Williams said after the fight.
Williams improved his professional record to nine wins, with four by knockout, and no losses. After the fight he said he could face former NRL enforcer Paul Gallen next
This was about as good as it got for Hall, who looked completely out of his depth against Sonny Bill, who improved his record to nine wins with four knockouts and no losses
Asked what his future in the ring holds, the Kiwi said, ‘There’s talk of [Paul] Gallen, so maybe Gallen.’
Williams was then seen in a friendly conversation with Gallen shortly after he exited the ring.
It’s been more than 10 years since Gallen first called Williams out, and if the bout comes off, it’ll be one of Australian boxing’s biggest fights.
The easy victory takes the former All Black and NRL star’s professional record to nine wins with three of those by way of knockout, and no losses.
He came in about 10kg heavier than Hall, and used his obvious size and strength advantage to devastating effect.
Ex-Australian Test captain Steve Waugh was on a long list of sports stars at the bout, joined by rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns and former boxing champ Danny Green
Former Sydney Roosters, NSW and Kangaroos captain Boyd Cordner (left) hugs NRL bad boy Blake Ferguson, recently returned to Australia after being jailed in Japan
PR queen Roxy Jacenko was one of several celebrities and Sydney identities at the fight, and was joined by TV host Renee Bargh
Anthony Mundine (left) congratulates his son Rahim on winning his first bout – professional or amateur – in an impressive effort that also saw his grandfather Tony (third from left) giving advice in his corner
The bout attracted athletes in droves, with big sporting names like former Australian Test captain Steve Waugh, ex-Kangaroos skipper Boyd Cordner, NRL bad boy Blake Ferguson and rugby league Immortal Andrew Johns in attendance.
They were joined by celebrities and Sydney identities including Roxy Jacenko, comedian Dave Hughes, John Ibrahim, businessman and Sydney Roosters chairman Nick Politis, and actor Damon Herriman.
The undercard featured footballer-turned-boxer Anthony Mundine’s son Rahim in his first bout – amateur or professional – in which he showed great skill and composure for a rookie to beat Fijian pug Lepani Levatia on points.
The younger Mundine had his father and his grandfather Tony, a legend of Australian boxing who once held the Australian middleweight, cruiserweight and heavyweight titles, in his corner.