It's the photo that proves Sonny Bill Williams is ready to reintroduce himself to the boxing world, after flying to Townsville for a comeback fight that has flown completely under the radar.
Wide World of Sports was sent this photo (below) of the code-hopping champion taking to the streets of the north Queensland city where he will quietly launch his boxing comeback tomorrow night as he starts to prepare for potential big money fights with the likes of Barry Hall and Paul Gallen.
Williams will fight Waikato Falefehi at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on a fight card scheduled to be headed by Mark Flanagan's tilt against Ben Kelleher for the vacant Australian cruiserweight title.
It will be the first time the former All Blacks star has stepped into the ring since he unanimously beat Chauncey Welliver over eight rounds at Olympic Park in 2015. He currently boasts an undefeated 7-0 record and has been coveted by Gallen for a fight for several years.
Tomorrow night's fight had not been promoted to give the potentially rusty 35-year-old an opportunity to test himself without the bright glare of the spotlight that inevitably follows him.
Falefehi has an unflattering 2-14 record, so the fight has been chosen to allow the cross-code champion to blow away the cobwebs without serious risk of defeat.
Should Williams get through the fight unscathed, as expected, prepare for the hype around a big money fight against either Hall or Gallen to quickly gather steam.
As recently as March the Kiwi star engaged in a verbal stoush with Gallen, while the pair were working together in commentary for Nine's coverage of an early season Rabbitohs vs Roosters clash.
"I've said it before and I'll say it again, I'll fight Paul," Wiliams said on the broadcast.
"But I've got to do my due diligence like he has in the past few years. You know what I mean? That means sizing him up."
Gallen bit back: "He sized me up already tonight. He goes, 'You're a bit shorter than before.'
"I've got great respect for what Sonny has done in sport. But as I said, it remains to be seen whether this fight will happen.
"There's no announcement tonight. I've got a big fight coming up against a world-ranked opponent. It's a huge fight I'm preparing for.
"Maybe one day me and Sonny can happen. I've said it over and over for many years now, let's do it. I still have my doubts it will happen though, big boy.
"But one thing me and you are going to do is get paid. We know that."
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