YouTube and Disney star-turned boxer Jake Paul has called out Kiwi Sonny Bill Williams as a potential next opponent.
Speaking on renowned boxer trainer Teddy Atlas' podcast The Fight, Paul mentioned the former crosscode star as part of a high-profile list of candidates to face in his next bout, despite being off target with Williams' name and nationality.
"We're still locking down opponents, there's a lot of names," Paul told Atlas, when asked who he'd square off with next.
After reeling off a list of boxing and UFC greats, including Floyd Mayweather, Oscar De La Hoya, Anderson Silva and Michael Bisping, Paul finished with "Sonny Williams out of Australia".
Despite drawing the ire of many purists, the much-maligned Paul - alongside brother Logan - has leveraged his massive social media following to become one of the biggest draws in boxing, luring some big-name fighters and cashing some bumper fight purses.
The 9-0 Williams was quick to respond, welcoming Paul's challenge for the biggest payday of his career.
"Looks like I’m on the hit list," Williams tweeted. "I'm not going to hate on this guy at all, as I respect what he’s done.
"I also really respect his skillset as a boxer, but if he wants some he can get it!
"Yours respectfully - your first loss."
Most recently, Paul scored a spectacular knockout win over former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley in their December rematch, extending his undefeated record to 5-0. He also boasts a first-round KO over mixed martial arts veteran Ben Askren.
Williams is fresh from stopping former AFL star Barry Hall inside two minutes at Sydney last month.
The 36-year-old spent his training camp at the boxing hotbed of Morecambe in the UK, under trainer Andy Lee, where he sparred with world champion Tyson Fury and Kiwi heavyweight Joseph Parker.
Before his bout against Hall, Lee declared the former NRL premiership winner and two-time Rugby World Cup champion could become a world heavyweight title contender.
Fellow former NRL great Paul Gallen has been touted as an opponent for Williams and the mutual interest has only increased since the win over Hall, with the pair exchanging words over social media. Rising Australian heavyweight Justis Huni is another fighter keen to lock horns with the Kiwi.
But if Paul agrees to a bout, the American would be the clear and obvious first choice, offering a huge platform for Williams to prove he's legitimate threat on the world heavyweight stage.
