- Mark Hunt stopped Sonny Bill Williams in four rounds
- The MMA legend confirmed he is officially retired from fighting at any combat sport
Former UFC heavyweight contender Mark Hunt put on a show in his final fighting bow at the Aware Super Theatre in Sydney Saturday. Hunt faced Rugby legend Sonny Bill Williams in an action-packed boxing match that ended in a brutal TKO stoppage.
What a way to say goodbye
Hunt, who previously hinted at a boxing return, came in as an outright underdog, having given away five inches of height and 11 years of age disadvantage. However, the MMA legend did not fail to deliver and stunned Williams with a barrage of punches, dropping the Rugby star in the fourth round.
Williams managed to get back on his feet but Hunt just picked up where he left off and unloaded more punches. A devastating right hand then landed on Williams’ chin, causing him to wobble. Hunt went for the finish but the referee had seen enough and called to stop the fight, declaring “The Super Samoan” as the winner via TKO.
MMA legend Mark Hunt has just knocked out undefeated pro boxer and former rugby star Sonny Bill Williams in his final ever fight.
Mark Hunt is 48 years old 😳 #WilliamsHunt #Boxing #Knockout https://t.co/I8h9uOM4tY
— IFL TV (@IFLTV) November 5, 2022
The Super Samoan is done
The defeat saw Williams breaking his flawless boxing record (9-1) as Hunt handed him his first professional loss. Nevertheless, Williams was still grateful for having faced a legend like Hunt.
“I would like to say it was an honor to share the ring with Mark Hunt tonight, the Super Samoan. I tried my best but it wasn’t good enough,” Williams said. “Not too much positives to take from that, but to share the ring with a legend like Mark, it was special.”
On the other hand, it was Hunt’s first pro boxing win as he improved his record to 1-2-1. Despite the victory, Hunt confirmed that it was the last time he’ll ever take part in any combat sports competition.
“I’m smiling not because of the win, but I’m smiling because this is the last time I walked into a ring of combat of any sorts,” he said post fight. “My first thought after was ‘s*** I want to do that again!’, but no.”
In post fight interview Hunt describe how fight went down.
“I just finished my career,” Hunt said. “You know 31 years I thought it was 30 but it’s actually 31, I think I had my first fight in the ring at 17. It’s been a long hard journey a long road. I mean being all over the globe to be honest, you know but my first thought if I was well man I’m gonna do that again but um yeah 31 years of combat man. I mean Sony’s a great fighter I mean you should continue I just hit enter to someone that’s pushing on 50 bro 48 years old and like he said I’m a Sly Fox I know. I know how to pick him brother.”
What was your plan of action.
“It’s the same game plan I had since I started fighting was knocking his head off.”
Hunt is widely regarded as one of the pioneers of combat sports. He fought 27 times as a professional in MMA and last competed at UFC Fight Night 142 in 2018. In boxing, Hunt made his debut in 1998 but did not find much success in the ring. Prior to Williams, Hunt fought in boxing in 2020 and lost to Paul Gallen via decision. Hunt’s career ended with a 13-14-1 record in MMA, an impressive 30-13 record in kickboxing, and a 1-2-1 boxing record.
Williams, meanwhile, is a former Rugby player who made his boxing debut in 2009. Prior to the Hunt fight, he has gone unbeaten in his first nine fights with four of which coming by way of knockout.
