By Gav Duthie: Every now and again you get that guy that everybody hates because he is just THAT good at everything. Sonny is currently celebrating lifting the Rugby World Cup as his native New Zealand retained the trophy on Saturday. Williams is on the news just now because he gave away his winners medal to a young kid who was literally tackled off his feet by security for entering the pitch. As well as being a gifted Rugby athlete and nice guy Sonny is also a professional heavyweight boxer who’s record stands 7-0 (3).
The talented Williams
Even without the boxing Williams was already a risk taker. He has performed at the highest level in both Rugby League and Rugby Union which translates to our language as someone who has world titles in boxing and UFC as an example. Williams is only the second player to successfully play for the New Zealand Rugby Union side coming from Rugby league. Alongside his Rugby career he made his professional boxing debut in 2009. Sonny is a close friend of Anthony Mundine who made a similar transition from the highest paid RFU athlete in Australia to boxing. Williams debut was on a Mundine undercard.
Boxing Future
Williams had his highest profile fight in 2013 against the well known South African Franz Botha. He won a unanimous points decision over 10 rounds to win the WBA International Heavyweight title. Shortly after however he announced he wouldn’t box again for another 3 years to concentrate on Rugby. As a result his title was taken away from him but Williams did speed up his boxing sabbatical to outpoint Chauncy Welliver in January this year. At 30 years of age he probably has a few years left in Rugby at the most and will then concentrate more on the boxing. He has recently been called out by Australian Rugby rival Paul Gallen who also has been moonlighting in the heavyweight division and has a 3-0 (2) record. Gallen fights debutante Bodene Thompson tomorrow and wants to fight Williams next.
At the moment Williams is ranked just inside the top 100 on boxrec and #2 in New Zealand behind huge prospect Joseph Parker. As yet it is unclear how dedicated Williams will be to boxing but it is certainly a name to look out for.
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