Boxing: Sonny Bill may steal limelight from Mundine

Anthony Mundine is fighting IBO middleweight champion Daniel Geale in Brisbane next month. Photo / Getty Images

BRISBANE - The undercard may yet steal the limelight from Anthony Mundine when the controversial star makes what could be his Australian boxing farewell.

Rugby convert Sonny Bill Williams looks set to make his professional boxing debut at Mundine's next world title fight - May 27's showdown with IBO middleweight champion Daniel Geale at Brisbane.

Mundine announced on Tuesday that he would fight in Brisbane for the first time - but was uncharacteristically coy when asked about the undercard.

"There are going to be a couple of surprises to be announced soon on the undercard - it's going to be massive," Mundine said.

It is believed Williams has been training hard in a French gym in preparation for the fight.

Williams is expected to step into the ring to aid Mundine's "KO To Drugs" promotion.

The Toulon centre has already confirmed he will return to Australia in order to play for the Barbarians against the Wallabies at Sydney on June 6.

It will mark the first time Williams will play Down Under since sensationally walking away from NRL club the Bulldogs last year.

Mundine hinted that the Geale showdown could be his final fight in Australia before looking for big name, and even bigger money, bouts overseas.

With that in mind, Mundine promised to produce a "fitting farewell" to Australian fans at Brisbane, adding further speculation that Williams will be wheeled out in the undercard.

"Whether you love me or hate me, this is going to be a spectacle," he said.

While known to polarise the Australian public during his sporting career, Mundine was confident that fans would support him on what he described as "an historic night".

"This is going to be my third world title in an all-Australian showdown so why wouldn't Australians come out and support it?" he said.

Mundine (35 wins, three losses) said fighting undefeated Sydney-based Tasmanian Geale (21-0 record) would be like "taking an axe to a mosquito".

"When I get through this fight I want to talk about me fighting (WBC, WBO middleweight champ) Kelly Pavlik.

"But I am not going to look past Geale - this is a business in which you are one punch away from disaster.

"I want to dispose of him (Geale) the way I should. I feel like I am at a level above any champion in the division."

Meanwhile, former Olympian Geale, 28, saw the Mundine fight as a chance to finally step into the national spotlight.

Geale - a 2002 Commonwealth Games gold medallist - is largely considered Australia's most underrated world champion.

"I'm at the stage now where it is time to step it up, and this is the fight for me to do that - this is my time," he said on Tuesday at Brisbane.

"This is the perfect stepping stone for me.

"People have overlooked me in the past but after I fight Anthony they will take a lot of notice."

- AAP