Australian boxing champion Danny Green believes Sonny Bill Williams is in the “driver’s seat” in negotiations to fight Paul Gallen after “annihilating” Barry Hall last month.
Green was Hall’s promoter for the Turf War fight and an expert commentator as Stan Event launched a new pay-per-view platform at Sydney’s Aware Super Theatre.
Williams called out Gallen after his knockout win while trainer Andy Lee boldly predicts he will fight for a world title within two years.
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“He’s spoken about his passion to do the most he can in the sport of boxing and nothing is impossible for Sonny Bill Williams,” Green told Wide World of Sports.
“His trainer has got big raps on him and what he did against Barry was phenomenal. But that doesn’t mean it’s going to be an easy show against Paul, if that’s where he and Khoder Nasser go.
“Styles make fights but Sonny’s in the driver’s seat as far as negotiations go. The guy is a beast and his boxing skill and prowess has flourished. I’m excited to see how far he can go because Barry is a good puncher and a skilful boxer – he just annihilated him which was a huge shock as Barry had a great camp.”
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Green described Turf War as “a pioneering moment in Australian boxing history.”
“To help Stan launch a brand new pay-per-view platform, I never dreamed I’d be doing something like that when I was younger, knocking around at the beach. As always Khoder was a man of his word and co-promoting with him was another huge success.
“It was a magic night and the venue when Sonny Bill Williams walked out was quite electric. The Jackson England versus Paul Fleming fight – people who know boxing very well – agree that’s a high level a fight as you’ll see anywhere in the world. That was worthy of being on the undercard to Tyson Fury-Anthony Joshua, it was that high level.”
Green was unsure if Hall would continue his boxing career at age 45.
“I’ve lost massive fights and it’s never pleasant. Barry got very nervous, nerves got the better of him on the night unfortunately and he was unable to fire and display what he is capable of. People don’t realise the risk that Sonny took, when you go forward in the first round and try and assert your authority and aggression, you take a risk by throwing lots of punches.
“You may get counter-punched and hurt yourself. Sometimes it takes a while for people to get their timing and placement right but Sonny just went on the front foot straight away and put it on Barry. Sonny would have been equally nervous but he didn’t let the nerves get the better of him. A boxing fight can end in an instant which is why it is so exciting and unpredictable.”
And as for what’s next for Green Machine Boxing?
“Hopefully moulding the next world champion that Australia can follow. To get the first fight night away on Stan, a whole new team, it was a fantastic show.
“It really put people on notice, that the sport of boxing has a lot of appeal for people in Australia and to have another avenue for people to watch high quality boxing, it’s pretty cool to be part of that.”
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