All Black Sonny Bill Williams has announced that he will rekindle a boxing career in January that looked to be on the ropes after his controversial victory over Frans Botha last year.
Williams, who will play for the Chiefs next year, will fight American heavyweight Chauncy Welliver in Sydney on January 31, a fight which will headline an inaugural "Footy Show Fight Night". The card will include fellow rugby player Quade Cooper and Paul Gallen, a league player said to have a big future in the sport who could one day fight Williams.
Welliver, 31, a vastly experienced brawler with 70 professional fights to his credit, including 55 wins, has lost his last three bouts. His most recent defeat was by decision last week in Moscow against Alexander Ustinov, the man who effectively sent David Tua into retirement once and for all.
Williams looked a chastened figure in Brisbane last February in the aftermath of his fight against aging South African Botha, who easily won the final two rounds and appeared on the brink of knocking Williams out before his younger rival was saved by the bell and the fact the bout was controversially called off two rounds early. Williams was deducted a point for holding in the 10th and final round but won by unanimous decision.
Williams didn't defend his New Zealand heavyweight title he won in his previous fight against Clarence Tillman in Hamilton and but it appears boxing is well and truly back on the agenda. He said in a press conference in Sydney today that a fight against former NRL and international rival Gallen is on the cards. Gallen has had two professional fights and is said to be a hard puncher and a quick learner. His last fight, against Anthony Watts, finished in a TKO after 88 seconds.
"It's being talked about and I know from all accounts he is pretty keen," Williams said. "Who knows? In the future there definitely could be something if all goes well in our next fights. There could be definitely something in the future, getting in the ring together, because there would be a lot of interest in that fight. Especially if this is an annual thing.
"A lot of things could happen before that happens but it's something that would be a good fit for both of us.
"Obviously his last fight, it was shame it didn't go for long and we didn't get to see the best of him. But it doesn't change the fact that he's still pretty handy with the gloves. It's pretty funny talking about another rugby player, rugby league player, in a fighting sense but that's the day and age that we live in. Everyone is trying something different and that's a good thing."
By Patrick McKendry of NZME. News Service
