Stu Laundy poses with two ring girls prior to a press conference. Photo / Getty
Stu Laundy poses with two ring girls prior to a press conference. Photo / Getty
Sonny Bill Williams has lashed celebrity agent Max Markson after he was forced to expel promotional ring girls from his Thursday press conference.
The code-hopping superstar had two women kicked out of his media event in Sydney where he was promoting his charity fight night against Stu Laundy on December1.
The fight, promoted by Markson as "The Banger Under the Hanger" aims to raise funds for reverend Bill Crews' Exodus Foundation, which cares for Sydney's homeless, but there was nothing charitable about the banishment of the scantily clad ring girls.
Channel 9's Danny Weidler has reported both Williams and representatives of The Exodus foundation voiced their displeasure at Markson's decision to use ring girls during the promotional event which was held at The Loaves & Fishes restaurant — which is supported by Crews' charity trust — in the Ashfield Uniting Church.
"The presence of scantily clad ring girls at the media opportunity. Both Williams and his agent (Khoder Nasser) are devout Muslims and asked that they be removed.
"Later representatives of Crews' charity and Khoder Nassar tore strips off promoter Max Markson."
Sonny Bill Williams and Stu Laundy pose during a press conference. Photo / Getty
Williams also told Nine during the media event that he [Nasser] was right to give Markson both barrels.
"It is what it is and that's the business we're in, but for myself I don't think it was necessary bringing them here."
The bungled promotion is the least of Markson's concerns.
According to The Daily Telegraph, The NSW Combat Sports Authority may still kill off the entire event over fears for the safety of Bachelorette winner Laundy's safety.
Williams declared during the press conference he has a gentlemen's agreement with Laundy not to cause excessive injury during their exhibition fight.
"I think like we said before that the underlying cause outweighs that, we've got a gentlemen's agreement," he said.
"We're going to go in there, it is going to be a night of entertainment, so like I said earlier God willing we will make a lot of money for this great cause we are trying to do it for."
That may not be enough to convince the combat sports regulator, which reportedly remains unsatisfied that Laundy, who has never fought before, wouldn't be in danger when he steps into the ring against Williams, who has three knockouts and has never been defeated in seven professional fights.
"It's stupid," Markson told The Daily Telegraph.
"We've been in talks with them (Combat sport authority) since October when they tried to ban the fight.
