- Sonny Bill Williams is a fan of Junior Paulo
- Believes NRL star could switch to boxing
- Paulo was humbled by Williams’ comments
- The Eels star is on the undercard of Battle on the Reef
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Parramatta Eels forward Junior Paulo has revealed the high praise from Sonny Bill Williams left him stunned ahead of his boxing match on Saturday night in Townsville.
Paulo, 29, will take on former Broncos front rower Ben Hannant as part of the Battle on the Reef undercard and was blasted after Williams said the enforcer was good enough to carve out a career in the ring.
“I have a lot of respect and time for Junior Paulo. He is useful in the ring. He’s got quick hands like all the Islanders — he’s got those quick fibers,” Williams said.
“JP, he’s the one who could actually get a little bit of a career in boxing because he knows his way around.
Paulo was humbled by the comments, stating he was smitten by the cross-code star, who won two NRL championships and two Rugby World Cups in his decorated sporting career, which also included a boxing record of nine wins from 10 games in his career.
Parramatta Eels prop Junior Paulo has revealed the high praise from Sonny Bill Williams left him stunned ahead of his boxing bout on Saturday night in Townsville.
Williams believes Paulo is good enough to be a professional boxer if he seeks a new sporting challenge away from the NRL
Order Battle on the reeflive and exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View this Saturday night from 6.30pm AEDT.
“First of all, I think it’s great that Sony is talking to me,” he said The wide world of Sports.
We all know the aura he brings. He has been able to excel in many sports arenas.
“Everyone knows what he did on the field. It’s so beautiful and yes, I’m star struck (praise).’
Eels fans shouldn’t be too worried about the future of Paulo’s game – he has no plans to leave the NRL any time soon.
“First and foremost, I’m a foot player,” he said.
“When these opportunities present themselves, you tend to enjoy the challenge and the training that comes with it.
“Obviously it helps to keep in shape, throughout the off-season. It turned out that after the first fight I had (against Paul Gallen in 2016), I came out half-good, people think.
‘So why not continue to take these opportunities as they come?’
Order Battle on the reeflive and exclusive on Stan Pay-Per-View this Saturday night from 6.30pm AEDT.
(tagsTranslate)daily mail(s)sport(s)boxing(s)Sonny Bill Williams