Promoter Dean Lonergan pours cold water on Sonny Bill Williams' boxing return

Boxing promoter Dean Lonergan has raised a red flag over Sonny Bill Williams' charity fight with Australian reality television start Stu Laundy.

The former co-manager of Joseph Parker believes the fight is unsafe and New South Wales' strict athletic regulators are likely to put a handbrake on the All Black’s return to the ring.

Last week, Williams announced that he would headline the card in December to raise money for the homeless in Australia and New Zealand.

The charity boxing night will take place in Sydney, but Lonergan said he couldn’t see how the promoters could convince officials that Laundy wouldn’t be risking serious injury.

Speaking to RadioLIVE, Lonergan said Williams would need a new opponent.

"New South Wales has the toughest regulations you have when it comes to safety in boxing and I have serious doubts that fight will go ahead," Lonergan told Andrew Gourdie and Jim Kayes.

"You don't want to see people getting injured in the ring and that fight is going to be very high profile, with a lot of media attention, so the last thing the authorities need is for a guy to get hurt."

Promoter Dean Lonergan pours cold water on Sonny Bill Williams' boxing return

Lonergan's concerns are shared by Australia's Shadow Minister for Sport, Lynda Voltz, who told The Daily Telegraph on Saturday that the fight was simply unfair.

"While Stuart Laundy might work out at the gym, there is nothing in his CV that suggests he should be stepping into the ring," Lynda told The Daily Telegraph.

"Sonny Bill Williams, on the other hand, is an elite athlete, a ferocious and talented rugby player, and former professional heavyweight boxer of New Zealand."

Lonergan agrees, pointing to New South Wales state law that says only professionals are allowed to compete in professional fights.

"I think she is right," Lonergan told Sunday Sport. "Sonny Bill will destroy him."

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