Sonny Bill Williams conceded his defeat to Mark Hunt “could be it” for his professional sporting career as the former rugby league and union star was knocked out by his older rival.
Williams went into the fight as a heavy favourite against the 48-year-old, but it was former UFC heavyweight Hunt who shocked the nation as he sent Williams crashing to the canvas in the fourth round.
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With his previously-unblemished record now sitting at 9-1, Williams simply didn’t know what was next for him as he was left to stew on the loss.
“At this stage, I’m not even sure if I’ll fight again,” Williams said.
“That could be it for me too. We’ll see how the next couple of weeks unfold.
“I’ve trained hard for this fight. I just feel sorry for my wife who had to put up with all the kids for the last couple of weeks.
“I’m just keen to get home and get back into the swing of things and start going back to the mosque in the morning, spending my day off like that.
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“Just a little bit disappointed, but it is what it is.”
The loss also provided an interesting insight into what may have happened if Williams shared the squared circle with fellow former footy player-turned-prize-fighter Paul Gallen, as Gallen beat Hunt via decision in 2020.
A bout between the two had long been touted, but Williams’ latest defeat and Gallen’s insistence that his next fight against Justin Hodges will be his final fight should be all that’s needed to quash any further talk of the potential bout.
Although he had pushed for that fight against Gallen in recent months, Williams is still able to look back on his remarkable professional sporting career with a glint in his eye.
“As disappointing as it is because of what happened tonight, I’ll always be grateful for the friendships I’ve made and the life I’ve been able to live,” Williams said.
“The opportunities that sport has brought to not just myself but my close family members.
“We came from nothing, so to sit here and see the growth I’ve had as a person, as a man, also being able to see the fruits of my labour that has affected my family members has been life-changing.”