http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/ New Zealand rugby star Sonny Bill Williams will fight former heavyweight contender Francois Botha in Durban on 17 November, according to a promoter. Promoter Thinus Strydom said arrangements for the bout, which is scheduled for Durban on 17 November, were concluded this week. All Blacks wing Williams is the New Zealand heavyweight champion. Botha, 43, has fought Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield and Wladimir Klitschko in a 59-bout career. Asked earlier this year about a possible fight against Williams, Botha told South African newspaper Rapport he would do it "during half-time of a rugby match" with "one hand tied behind my back". The 27-year-old Williams helped New Zealand beat Australia on Saturday but is quitting the All Blacks to play rugby union in Japan next season. Since 2009 he has boxed five times, winning all of his bouts. :: Botha's a funny guy, he also deserves respect as a gutsy non-leap fighter. I dub him the Scott LeDoux of our times. Sonny Bill Williams, for those who don't know, is a pretty decent Rugby player, convert to Islam, playboy nude frolics sort of guy who also thinks he can box a bit. All perfectly compatible pursuits. :: I am sure Botha will be left with fond memories to share with his grandkids, if he can remember their names in a few years......if not he'll have to share his memories with Evander and Roy and James in the nurshinngh home.
"Thinus Strydom" :: I hope Botha KO's him too....Botha has a lot of names on his rep. He's lost to most of them, but just barely at times, and he's always given a very good showing, bar say against Lewis. Let's face it.....Sonny Bill isn't facing Botha because he thinks its a hard task. I hope Botha makes him knock-on, then knocks him out.
Sonny is a fantastic rugby player and he is in great shape however going from national champion to this is a bad move.
When I come to the boxing forum and this is all there is to talk about, it makes me sad for the sport. Back to TAAA.
