Sonny Bill Williams' cheeky response to Jake Paul fight call-out
New Zealand footy icon Sonny Bill Williams has fired back at Youtube star Jake Paul about a potential boxing bout.
Paul is preparing for his next fight after extending his unbeaten professional boxing record with a TKO victory over former UFC world champion Tyron Woodley in December.
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The outspoken 25-year-old has named a list of potential next-up opponents, with World Cup-winning All Blacks legend Williams surprisingly finding himself on the list.
Speaking to The Fight podcast with legendary trainer Teddy Atlas, Paul dropped Williams name alongside a number of former world champions, including undefeated boxing legend Floyd Mayweather and former UFC middleweight champion Michael Bisping.
When asked who he might next take on in the ring, Paul replied: ""Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Anderson Silva, Michael Bisping, Tommy Fury, Sonny Williams out of Australia.
"There's a lot of people on the hit list and some other names that we're talking to. Just trying to pick the biggest opponent.
"Everyone I've fought I've carried the promotion, nobody has matched my star power so I'm looking for someone who can match my star power - we might fight in Australia, America or the UAE.
"Oscar, if you're watching this man, get off the couch and start training because we can make this happen."
Paul's call-out drew a cheeky response from Williams, who told the 25-year-old it would be his "first loss".
Looks like I’m on the hit list 🥴
I’m not gonna hate on this guy at all as I respect what he’s done. I also really respect his skillset as a boxer. But if he wants some he can get it! @jakepaul Yours respectfully - your first loss 🥊✊🏽 pic.twitter.com/wuGpZsyWD8— Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) April 14, 2022
Jake Paul talks up his own abilities
A potential fight between the pair would generate massive interest in Australia and New Zealand, however, weight could be a major stumbling block.
Paul has previously fought at cruiserweight (90.7kg), while Williams weighed in at 109kg for his recent heavyweight victory against AFL great Barry Hall.
De La Hoya this week TMZ Sports that Paul is "the real deal" and capable of beating "a lot of good champions, and even great champions" in the ring.
Paul - perhaps unsurprisingly - says the boxing great's assessment is accurate and claims he's already beaten world champions in training.
"To hear that from [De La Hoya] means a lot, but he's right and I've been saying it all along. I sound so cocky, 'he's right!', but it's true man. I beat world champions in the gym and sparring," Paul said.
Paul doesn't currently have an upcoming fight scheduled, but has been pushing for a bout against multiple-weight world champion, Saul "Canelo" Alvarez by 2024.
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