Sonny Bill Williams is relishing his connection with world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, after the ‘Gypsy King’ welcomed him into camp before his March fight against AFL veteran Barry Hall.
Williams has joined countrymen Joseph Parker and David Nyika before the fight, in what they've labelled a 'Kiwi takeover' at Fury’s Morecambe gym.
The cross-code star can relate to Fury in more ways than one.
"I still feel young and energetic," Williams tells Newshub. "I still look younger than Joe."
Laughs are constant when Williams, Parker and Nyika get together, but make no mistake, there's plenty of hard work going on too.
"I enjoy time with the boys," adds Parker. "We're working hard, but we're having fun everyday."
After last playing rugby league in 2020, Williams must adapt to the switch back to boxing and acknowledges there’s no gain without discomfort.
"When it comes to the boxing ring, I'm like a fish out of water, when it comes to being in the gym with these guys."
Being uncomfortable led Williams to join Parker and Nyika at Morecambe, and the Gypsy King welcomed him with open arms, as the pair discussed their own mental health battles, as well as boxing.
"He's a really good man," Williams says of Fury. "Being able to connect and talk about some of the struggles we've both had around mental health and the mental health space has been really special as well."
With a strong New Zealand contingent around him, Williams is in the best place possible to relaunch his boxing career in March.
He feels he has plenty left to give before he steps away for good.
"I'm stepping back in the ring, god willing, for the next two years - and what better way to learn my craft than with the best in the business."
The NZ connection in the camp is impossible to miss.
"It's a real Kiwi takeover now," jokes Nyika. "We just realised the other day, we had four Kiwis in the ring and two Brits."
There's plenty to get excited about when it comes to this Kiwi boxing super group.
