Sonny Bill Williams Fight On The Ropes?



The Sonny Bill Williams career juggle has hit a snag after the code-hopping former All Black centre was injured while playing for the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan last night. Only minutes after scoring the opening try, Williams landed awkwardly on his shoulder while tackling former Western Force centre Gene Fairbanks. Williams immediately left the field and went to hospital for scans.

The seriousness of the injury is unknown but there are obvious doubts about whether Williams will a) be able to take the ring in next month’s heavyweight clash with South African Francois Botha and b) if he does fight Botha, will he be at his best against the former world champion and his toughest opponent to date. And what about all the lattes they have been choking on out at Bondi?

Mistaking the South Korean spawed Gangnam Style as representative of a Japanese doctor is an easy error to make for a casual racist. Just a little bit of history. He’s probably an awful driver too!

Sonny Bill chalked up plenty of haters when he walked out on the Bulldogs five years ago but he’s gradually earned the respect of many sports fans. Confident in his own abilities but more humble than an Anthony Mundine, Sonny Bill patiently refined his rugby skills as he became the most exciting centre in world rugby. And he’ll come back to rugby league and be a sensation there, all the while improving as a heavy weight boxer. So what if Money Bill is making a mint in the process. He’s an excellent athlete and a walking, talking publicity machine; he probably earns it.

Fans and boxing promoters alike will be sweating on the injury prognosis. At 44, Botha is surely past his prime but the one-time IBF title holder is confident he still has plenty to offer. “He’s going to be hit harder than he’s ever been hit. If I were in his shoes, I’d be shaking,” said Botha. “He’s never been in this league, so let’s see what he can do when he has a real fighter in front of him.” It’s hard to argue, as Botha impressed many with stoppage losses to Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Wladimir Klitschko, Evander Holyfield, Michael Grant and Michael Moore.

SBW dominating in three sports:

Picture by Sandra Mu at Getty Images

More Stuff From PEDESTRIAN.TV