Liam Messam – the boxer

Fiery All Black loose forward Liam Messam will return to the growing ranks of Rugby Union players dabbling in boxing as a pre-season pastime.

Messam, known for his abrasive approach to the game, will be on the undercard when superstars Sonny Bill Williams and Quade Cooper headline the action at the inaugural Footy Show Fight Night in Sydney next month.

Rugby League star Paul Gallen and rising Australian boxer Willis Meehan will also feature in the 31 January event.

Messam’s last entry into the square ring was a points defeat to Gallen in December last year, after he had also beaten Wendell Sailor in 2011.

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However, the big names on in the tournament will be rugby’s boxing brothers – Williams and Cooper.

Unbeaten in six heavyweight bouts, Williams will take on American Chauncy Welliver, a vastly experienced competitor who has won 55 of his 70 professional fights. However, Welliver – with 10 losses, five draws and 22 wins by knock-out – is coming off losses to undefeated Australian heavyweight Lucas Browne and Russian slugger Alexander Ustinov.

It will be the dual international’s first fight since beating South African Francois Botha in a controversial encounter – which was reduced from 12 to 10 rounds by the Williams amp while the fight was in progress in February last year.

Organisers have yet to finalise an opponent for cruiserweight Cooper, who is undefeated in his two fights.

The Reds playmaker enjoyed a sparring session with Wallabies coach Michael Cheika on Australia’s year-end tour last month and said he was grateful for the ARU’s approval to fight during the off-season.

“Just a few rounds on one of the captain’s runs,” Cooper said.

“I looked at it as a different way to do some fitness. I was going to look at finding a gym and do some boxing anyway and Cheika just hit me up and said he’ll go buy some gloves.”

Williams said he also sounded All Blacks coach Steve Hansen before committing to a seventh professional bout.

“The major concern for myself was getting his approval,” Williams said.

“He said that as long as I don’t get knocked out, he’s happy with it.

“So hopefully that’s the plan.”

Williams, now back in the 15-man code with Super Rugby franchise the Chiefs and the All Blacks, also said a highly anticipated fight against his former NRL and international rival Gallen is on the cards, and it could happen in the next year.

Gallen a fortnight ago scored a win over former NRL player Anthony Watts inside two minutes when Watts suffered a dislocated shoulder and has previously outlined his desire to fight Williams.

More seasoned in the ring the much taller Williams, whose record is 6-0, would be a strong favourite if the two came together but on Friday entertained suggestions of what would be a highly anticipated showdown.

“It’s being talked about and I know from all accounts he is pretty keen,” Williams said.

“Who knows? In the future there definitely could be something if all goes well in our next fights. There could be definitely something in the future, getting in the ring together, because there would be a lot of interest in that fight. Especially if this is an annual thing that they’re starting this year.

“A lot of things could happen before that happens but it’s something that would be a good fit for both of us.

“Obviously his last fight, it was shame it didn’t go for long and we didn’t’ get to see the best of him. But it doesn’t change the fact that he’s still pretty handy with the gloves. It’s pretty funny talking about another rugby player, rugby league player, in a fighting sense but that’s the day and age that we live in. Everyone is trying something different and that’s a good thing.”

Opponents for Cooper, Gallen, Messam and Meehan are still being finalised.