MOVE over Sonny Bill Williams and Anthony Mundine – there is another former rugby league player forging his way in the world of boxing.

Ex-Walney Central and England Lions under-19s player Cameron Hetherington has swapped his boots for gloves and is already making a name for himself inside the ring after just two contests.

Hetherington was in Denmark over the weekend taking part in the annual Hvidovre Box Cup and made waves after knocking out a heavier, more experienced opponent just over a minute into the first round.

No available opponents in his weight class meant Hetherington, who fights out of Watson Boxing & Fitness in Marton, had to step up a category and took on a home pugilist in the elite class – for boxers who have been in at least 10 contests – but more than rose to the challenge.

“I thought he was capable, and it was a big decision whether to let him box the lad with the experience he had and his age,” said club head coach Ryan Watson. “But I just knew what he was capable of and could get the win.

“A lot of coaches said it was the stand-out performance of the whole show and they couldn’t believe he’d only had one fight.

“It was quite against us, really. He had a lot more fights and experience than Cameron, he was older, and he was the home fighter.

“But he boxed really well, really composed and was thinking what he was doing.”

Hetherington is now targeting the MTK Box Cup – formerly the Lonsdale Box Cup – in Lower, near Penrith, next month along with clubmate Ethan Brierley.

Then Watson will look towards entering Hetherington in the England Boxing national competitions and he has high hopes for his future in the sweet science.

“He’s really dedicated,” said Watson. “He trains like a professional and does everything 100 per cent. It showed at the weekend.

“He’s loving it and he quit rugby to box – and that was a big decision because he played for England and was obviously talented and good at that.

“But he said he always wanted to box, and he loves that more than rugby and that’s what he’s keen to do.

“He’s a really strong lad, Cameron, and if he stays dedicated, he’ll do really well.”

Watson is hoping to get some more of the club’s recently-carded boxers out on upcoming shows too, with Jack Holmes the latest to pass his medical and aiming to start competing in the next six to eight weeks.