All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed he will step back into the boxing ring at the end of the year.
Williams, 33, is set to fight in Sydney on December 1 on a charity event named "Banger in the Hanger".
"I'm looking forward to getting back in the ring again. I know this will be a hard fight for me after being out of the ring for three years," he said.
"Some people will say I'll be rusty. But I can't wait! I know I'll put on a good show and the cause is a great one. It feels good to be giving something back."
All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has supported the cross-code star's ambition to return to the ring.
"Look, from my understanding I think it's a very, very low-key fight and it's about raising money for the homeless in Sydney and for the Auckland City Mission," said Hansen.
"He is pretty confident, I've spoken to Khoder (Nasser, Williams' agent) and Khoder's confident that what's going to take place won't be of hindrance to him, so you've got to back their judgement and from what I understand it shouldn't be too much of a task."
All proceeds from the fight will be split between Auckland City Mission and Australian charities the Exodus Foundation and the Bill Crews Charitable Trust.
"The winner of the fight will be known as the WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE HOMELESS & NEEDY as proceeds of the night will go to helping the homeless in Australia and New Zealand," a press release stated today.
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