Usually the people meeting Sonny Bill Williams are the ones getting star-struck.
But the shoe has been on the other foot this week, as the code-hopping great gushes over the presence of childhood idol David Tua in Sydney.
A fellow Samoan-New Zealander, Tua fashioned a formidable 52-5-2 record over his heavyweight career and fought Lennox Lewis for the world title in 2000.
Sonny Bill Williams will face Mark Hunt in a titanic heavyweight clash on November 5. Watch live and exclusive on Stan
His devastating left hook and durable chin are legendary and Mark Hunt enlisted the help of the 49-year-old for Saturday’s showdown at the Aware Super Theatre.
Being in the enemy camp wasn’t going to stop Williams approaching Tua to pay his respects in between sparring sessions and media duties at Tony Mundine’s gym in Redfern.
“Oh it’s special,” Williams told Wide World of Sports.
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“He was one my idols growing up and all the boys here are buzzing.
“For us, growing up in New Zealand, getting to watch a David Tua fight on the weekend was something special. Definitely one of the greatest Samoan athletes to ever come out of the Polynesian islands.
“So, yes, he’s involved in Mark Hunt’s camp but nonetheless, never in my wildest dreams did I think that I’d be boxing, boxing against someone like Mark Hunt and David Tua being involved with the show. It’s unreal. It’s an Auckland reunion.”
While Williams focused his early sporting energies on the league and rugby field, the fight game was never far from his mind.
“I grew up watching Mark Hunt and Ray Sefo and those were the guys you tried to emulate at school,” Williams said.
“Not getting into fights every day but the David Tua, Mark Hunt left hook, walk-off knockout. God willing that doesn’t happen on Saturday night.
“It’s exciting, it’s daunting, there’s anxiety – all of it.”
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