Killer Carson v Sonny Bill Williams

Waikato Times reporter Jonathan Carson stepped into the ring with Sonny Bill Williams

JONATHAN CARSON

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Many have scoffed at Sonny Bill Williams' boxing ability, but very few have stepped in the ring with him.

I, on the other hand, still have a bruise on the bridge of my nose from where he punched me.

As the critics weighed in ahead of Williams' New Zealand heavyweight title bout – dishing out disapproval from behind the safety of computer screens – I decided to take the fight to the man himself.

"I've got a proposition for you," I said to Williams' manager, Khoder Nasser, this week. "Let me spar a round with Sonny."

Unexpectedly, he agreed, and the bout was scheduled for the following night at the Hamilton boxing gym where Williams is training for his title clash against Clarence Tillman III on February 8.

I had called out one of New Zealand's biggest sporting superstars – a professional boxer, an All Black, a former NRL crusher, a man twice my size constructed of pure muscle.

Arriving at the gym I was a little worried to find an ambulance parked out front. The company's health and safety manager was taking a risk on this one and insisted a paramedic be on site.

It was my first time meeting Williams and as we shook hands – the "bro" way – I was amazed by the sheer size of him.

There was a bit of pre-fight trash talking. "You better be ready," Williams jeered. "Oh, I'm ready," I lied.

After I was kitted out in all the armour available – hand wraps, gloves, headgear and mouthguard – I was ready to rumble.

My colleagues at the Waikato Times had been tossing around ideas for a boxing moniker. The first was the Smiling Assassin – because I tend to smile a lot. A favourite was Jonny Deadline – referring to my role as a reporter. But, the one that seemed to stick was Killer Carson – a bit of an overstatement, but it had a ring to it.

It wasn't until Wednesday night that I truly realised what I had talked myself into.

I wasn't sure how Williams would react in the ring. After all, I was the reporter who wrote the story in which Sir Bob Jones claimed "he can't box" and should be fighting as an amateur. Would Williams take out all of his frustrations with the media on me?

However, I was also the reporter who wrote the column suggesting people get off his back and let him box. Would he take pity on my small and out-of-shape self? My internet use prior to the fight was a litany of Google searches for "how to box a taller fighter" and "how to beat a bigger man".

I also studied all four of his fights on YouTube.

I do boxing training as a hobby and have had a few sparring sessions with people of a similar size and ability, but I wanted to be prepared.

My strategy was to bob and weave and punch his body. It's not like I had a choice. I could barely reach his head.

Williams' defence was tight, but I managed to slip a few shots through in the first minute before he took control and threw me against the ropes.

"It's my turn now," he said as he began pop-shooting me to the face at will. One right hook gave me a bit of a buzz, and a jab right on the nose made my eyes water.

Before long I was puffing and sweating, but my mission was to land one on his chops.

Right at the end of the round I connected with a right hand to the chin and Williams dropped to the canvas.

It was a Hollywood, of course. The man had been taking it easy on me the entire round. But, if he goes on to become a champion, it will be a story to tell the grandkids.

I stayed to watch the rest of Williams' training. The man is working hard. And he can box, I have no doubt about that.

TALE OF THE TAPE

Sonny Bill Williams, professional

Age: 26

Height: 6ft 3in (1.91m)

Weight: 108kg

Stance: orthodox

Won 4, lost 0, drawn 0

Jonathan Carson, trains for a hobby

Age: 25 Height: 5ft 9in (1.75m)

Weight: 82kg

Stance: orthodox

Won 0, lost 0, drawn 0.

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