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As Sonny Bill Williams walked into the boxing ring to fight Paul Gallen, he had two flags proudly displayed on the chest of his jacket and the back of his trunks.

One was a Palestine flag, while the other was navy blue with a red section in the upper left corner, which featured a white crescent and a five-pointed star.

The mystery flag sparked questions, with some wondering if he had covered over the New Zealand flag.

Sonny Bill Williams' trunks during his fight against Paul Gallen. Photo / Photosport

But the flag and coat of arms represent the Malaysian state of Johor, where the former All Black was appointed as a sports ambassador in April.

Williams was one of several former high-profile athletes to be given the honour, including former Socceroos striker Tim Cahill and former UFC world champion Khabib Nurmagomedov.

At the time, Williams said it was a proud moment to be made a sports ambassador.

“I am thrilled to support the growth of sports in Johor.

“I also hope to inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams, work hard, and achieve success.”

Williams has close ties to Malaysia, where he was named last year as the inaugural pro-chancellor of Albukhary International University, in Kedah.

The university said Williams was renowned for his dedication to humanitarian causes, cultural integration and youth empowerment, alongside sporting prowess.

In 2009, the dual rugby and rugby league international converted to Islam, the official religion of Malaysia.

Williams has never worn the New Zealand flag while walking to the boxing ring.

In the end, just a single point was the difference in Gallen’s split-decision victory over Williams in the long-awaited boxing bout that was a decade in the making.

Williams was deducted a point in the seventh round, with the loss leaving him so frustrated that he opted not to front the media after the fight.