Sonny Bill Williams cruises to shutout Chauncy Welliver over eight

 
THE seasonal boxing career of rugby league identity Sonny Bill Williams continued in earnest last night.

 
Williams, 29, fighting for the first time since his controversial points win over Francois Botha in 2013, effectively did as he pleased with the fleshy Chauncy Welliver, 31, a fighter best known for giving rounds to prospects.

 
The eight-round main event topped a forgettable card at the Allphones Arena in Sydney’s Olympic Park precinct and was televised on free-to-air television channel GEM as part of the ‘Footy Fight Night’ package, that also showcased rugby league stalwart Paul Gallen, Liam Messam and budding prospect Willis Meehan.

 
To his credit, for someone with no amateur background, Williams did look the part and considering his near two-year layoff, it was a performance that oozed confidence. The multiple code athlete simply could not miss Welliver.

 
With that said, Chauncy Welliver (55-10-5, 22 KOs) did not offer any kind of challenge – with the exception of his chin – which wore some heavy shots over the eight round duration. Welliver lacked confidence and offered little besides the occasional looping left hand, which never posed any serious threat.

 
Backed by his trainer Tony Mundine and flanked by his good friend Anthony Mundine, Williams (now 7-0, 3 KOs) did his best impression of the reigning WBC Silver light middleweight champion, often leading with the signature right hand and using the patented shoulder roll as his preferred method of defence.

 
“Obviously I like to stay on my toes but I knew from experience, last fight with Botha, I got pretty tired after staying on my toes the whole fight,” said Williams in his post-fight interview. “So I knew I had to stay in close, catch a few punches.”

 
The packaged presented by the clearly football oriented broadcasting team made several references to a possible fight between Williams and Paul Gallen, who is also unbeaten in his foray into professional boxing.

 
As expected Williams was asked the question by a farcical Beau Ryan, but was typically coy in his response.

 
“I’ve got a lot of respect for Gal and he handled himself really well in the ring tonight,” Williams continued. “He definitely looks like he punches hard. I don’t know, he’s expressed a desire too and I have also. God willing we get through our seasons unscathed and we’re both here next year facing off.”

 
The cards blushes were saved in the semi main-event, where talented Australian lightweight champion George Kambosos Jr. endured a spirited challenge from Rodynie Rafol, before unanimously outpointing in the Filipino over six rounds.

 
 
Full Results:

 
Sonny Bill Williams UD8 Chauncy Welliver
George Kambosos Jr. UD6 Rodynie Rafol
Paul Gallen UD4 Randall Rayment
Willis Meehan TKO2 Freddie Miller
Billel Dib KO1 Erick Diaz Siregar
Bilal Akkawy D4 Joe Rea

 
 
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images AsiaPac