Andy Lee-trained Sonny Bill Williams wins Sydney bout

Former All Black Sonny Bill Williams moved his professional boxing record to 9-0 with a first-round knockout of ex-AFL star Barry Hall in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Williams, who had Limerick man Andy Lee in his corner, ended the heavyweight contest in less than two minutes as 45-year-old Hall was dropped by a big right-hander to the temple.

Hall was a brutally tough Aussie Rules operator who also featured in several International Rules series against Ireland. The former junior boxing champ had one pro fight under his belt before meeting Williams, and he was swiftly dispatched in their 'Turf War' battle at the International Convention Centre in Sydney.

Williams, who won World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015 and was in the Kiwis team who reached the 2013 Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford, retired from rugby a year ago.

Last June he survived a second-round knockdown to get past Waikato Falefehi. In December he linked up with Lee, heading to Monkstown Boxing Club, Dublin, a month later for a training camp where he sparred with Niall Kennedy.

Former middleweight world champion Lee has extremely high hopes for Williams, declaring before the Hall fight: "My ambition with Sonny is to one day fight for the heavyweight championship.

"It is well within his reach. With the progression he has made in the past six to eight weeks, the way I see him going in the future, with the right fights and the right training, he certainly has the ability.

"Is that the greatest story in sports history, if he fights for the heavyweight title? The blueprint is there. He's a different person altogether."