Former rugby superstar and boxer Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) will be the main guest at the action packed South Pacific Boxing Promotions (SPBP) programme at Nadi’s Prince Charles Park on October 26.

This was confirmed to SUNsports last night by Vancouver-based SPBP director Mohammed Shameem and promoter Fred Chand.

Shameem said this is their mission to take boxing in the country to another level. The SPBP has staged their promotions in Ba, Lautoka and Labasa in their move to help boost the sport. This was done eventhough they have recorded losses in such venues.

“Sonny Bill Williams and his manager Khoder Nasser arrive into the country on October 25,” Chand told SUNsports.

“He’ll be at the official weigh-in on the same day and also on the day of fight. Those that buy the $100 ringside ticket also get the chance to meet up with him.”

Chand said the SPBP would be organ-ising dinners where Williams would be guest speaker and also he’ll be holding sporting clinics as well.

“Also we’ve arranged for three schools where Sonny Bill is going to talk to the students about the danger of drugs and the need to stay away from it.”

Just a glance
Williams played 123 NRL (National Rug-by League) games with Canterbury Bull-dogs and Sydney Roosters. He was the youngest player that played for Bulldogs in the NRL Grand-final 2004 where they won 16-13 against Roosters. He repeated that feat in 2012 but this time playing for Roosters as they beat Manly 26-18 in the Grand-final.

He switched to rugby union and played 58 Test matches for the All Blacks. Williams was a member of the All Blacks squad that won the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups. He later took up boxing and fought in the heavy-weight division with a record of nine wins and one loss. His manager Nasser is an Australian sports agent and boxing promoter.
Chand said the SPBP is open for talks with other busi-ness companies who are interested to sponsor the events involving Williams.

“There are costs involved in bringing such programme and internationally renowned sports people like Sonny Bill Williams to our country. We’re inviting business companies who want to sponsor the events because its focused to those at grassroots level.”

Main fights
The main bout sees IBO (International Boxing Or-ganisation) Asia Pacific super welterweight champion Winston Hill taking in Lachlan O’Shea of Australia in a  10-round title fight.

The main undercards involve the vacant IBO Asia Pa-cific cruiserweight clash between homeboy Sebastian Singh against unbeaten Australia knockout king Tonga Tongotongo and then the IBO Oceania-Orient feather-weight title fight between Umbayd Haider and China’s Runqi Zhou. The fourth title fight sees Nadi’s Siliveni Nawai defends the Fiji super middleweight title against Jonathan Hill of Suva.

“We’ve received good response for the fights but we’re keeping our fingers crossed on the weather,” Chand said.

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