Barry Hall Apologises For Two Minute Defeat To Sonny Bill Williams

Former NRL star Sonny Bill Williams destroyed AFL legend Barry Hall in just under two minutes in a matchup that stunned the boxing world.

Many have been left frustrated in what seemed like a mismatch from the start, with Williams landing a left hook in 15 seconds before earning the first knockdown of the fight in 45 seconds.

The referee even attempted to end the matchup early, waving off the fight before allowing Hall to continue as he got to his feet a second time.

However, Williams sealed the win with a right hook across Hall's cheek as he was knocked to the floor for the third time.

The PPV set back viewers $50 and some felt as if they hadn't received their value for money.

NRL commentator Phil Gould said: "I've spent $50 on greyhound races that lasted longer than that fight."

Another user commented: "Stoked I'll be able to watch the whole thing in an Instagram reel but."

Phil Rothfield, of The Daily Telegraph, also tweeted: "What a farce."

The discrepancy between the two fighters was obvious, with Williams being nine years younger and weighing 11kg more.

Hall apologised for his performance after the fight.

He said: "I'm really disappointed obviously because I put in a lot of work, as he did, but I know all the fans out there will be disappointed.

"I was quite nervous today, which is rare for me. The Paul Gallen fight I wasn't nervous at all, so it's a bit out of character. Maybe just the hype, the build-up, I don't know what it was. But I just wasn't myself today.

"I congratulated him and manned up. He was the better man on the night.

"He hits hard and I got caught. What do you say? I'm going to go home to my beautiful family. I'm really disappointed and I'm not sure where the road leads."

Not content with defeating Barry Hall, Sonny Bill Williams called out fellow former NRL legend Paul Gallen.

Gallen currently has a professional boxing record of 12-1-1, with the one draw coming against Sonny Bill's previous opponent Barry Hall.

However, Williams' trainer and former WBO middleweight world champion Andy Lee believes the former All Blacks player can shoot even further.

He told the Sydney Morning Herald: "I'm not blowing smoke; my ambition with Sonny is to one day fight for the heavyweight championship."

"It is well within his reach. With the progression he has made in the past six to eight weeks, the way I see him going in the future, with the right fights and the right training, he certainly has the ability.

"Is that the greatest story in sports history, if he fights for the heavyweight title?"Featured Image Credit: Stan

Topics: barry hall, Paul Gallen, Sonny Bill Williams, Australia