Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Sonny Bill Williams pushed all the way in third pro fight

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Sonny Bill Williams pushed all the way in third pro fight

Dual international Sonny Bill Williams took place in his third professional boxing fight this weekend, resulting in a unanimous decision as the All Black won on the Gold Coast. While the previous two fights have been questionable, this time he was tested by brawler Scott Lewis.

It was clear early on that Lewis meant business as he came out the blocks firing away at the multi-talented Williams, who managed to raise a few thousand dollars from the event.

The fight went six rounds and while both showed fatigue, Williams’ superb conditioning meant he was able to get stronger as the fight went on, whereas Lewis, while giving it his all, was gaping for breath at times, and failed to successfully land one of his dangerous lefts. The Williams jab kept him at bay, while a few uppercuts did most of the damage.

"Obviously I would like to extend my boundaries and do well in another sport, but there's a lot of things I need to sharpen up," he said. "It's a work in progress."

The former NRL star finished ahead on all three scorecards, 60-55, 60-55 and 60-54.

''I can have another fight if I wish during the season - it is in my contract - but if I feel that it is going to jeopardise my playing ability in any way I won't do it because rugby is first right now,'' Williams said.

''But if it doesn't, if it feels like it would give me that kick which I feel right now - I feel mentally strong and I could play 80 minutes easy of footy after that - then I will do it for sure.

''It is back to rugby now. I'll have to train hard and change focus but that is all right. I don't like to be idle, I just like to work hard and I can't wait to get stuck into it.''

Williams will now return to training with the Crusaders, hoping to add another two kilograms to him impressive frame ahead of his first ever Super Rugby season.

The following is a short clip highlighting some of the more entertaining moments in the fight.

Time: 01:28
Note: Thanks to stuff.co.nz for the video report

Number 1 poster!

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 7:14 pm
Shame this prick doesn't get KO'd...

Nothing against him, it's just he seems a bit cocky that's all.....

By Jonno, at January 30, 2011 7:20 pm
Maybe when he fights some real competition. He is fighting guys that look like they shouldn't be boxing.

By Hendrick, at January 30, 2011 7:27 pm
I wouldn't want to get anywhere near those long-ass arms he's got.

Anyways, here come the onslaught of posts about how he's over-hyped/a pussy for boxing people other than David Haye or something. Good grief.

By no rain in spain, at January 30, 2011 8:00 pm
Hendrick, this guy actually troubled him. The only reason he survived is because he managed to dance his way out of punches and avoided most. Lewis did well, and certainly wasn't like the previous two muppets. Do yourself a favour and watch the whole fight before making comments like that mate.

By Laz, at January 30, 2011 8:06 pm
@Jonno - I couldn't disagree with you more sir. Considering everything he's achieved so far, he is incredibly humble.

By Von, at January 30, 2011 8:31 pm
Sonny Bill is a very good athlete. After the World Cup he should forget about League and fighting tomato cans like this dude. He might be able to play in the NFL and make some serious change!

By TB, at January 30, 2011 8:44 pm
what position would he play in the nfl? dont be ridiculous hes quite slow for a rugby player

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 8:48 pm
@ Anonymous

Tight-end. Don't see any other position for him really...

Tall enough for a receiver, but not quick enough, I'd think.

Considering he'd have to do a fair amount of blocking as TE, he'd probably have to bulk up.

But that's all hypothetical: why would the NFL want someone like SBW, even though he seems like great athlete? In all respects, American Football is completely different ballgame.

By Sander, at January 30, 2011 8:51 pm
I'd agree with Sander.

NFL has as much to do with SBW as does Hockey. Maybe he'd be good at that, too, but who cares? It's a different game and while he may have switched from League to Union rather well, it wouldn't be the same going to a totally different sport.

Just a thought - TE would still be a bit of a stretch. SBW is amazing at offloads, which is something that occurs hardly ever in the NFL. He's big and he's tall and his hands are massive, yeah, but that'd be about all he's got going for him...and to make it to the NFL these days just about starts in middle school.

By orange, at January 30, 2011 9:25 pm
But hey, before it might start, let's not get into NFL vs. Union because that's a frivolous argument and has nothing to do with this.

I think boxing is just something Sonny Bill does for fun. Of course he's not going to go toe to toe with big name or incredibly tough opponents. I've you were playing for the #1 rugby team in the world, would you risk losing it all just to prove how tough you are?

By orange, at January 30, 2011 9:28 pm
*if

By orange, at January 30, 2011 9:28 pm
@ Orange

Agree with the offloads being the strongest part of SBW's game. That's near impossible with the kind of hits they dish out in the NFL and the speed of the game.

Completely different game, completely different skills sets (and different style of hitting people).

Let's hope SBW stays in the Union game for a couple more seasons. I'm very interested to see how SBW expands his game, very exciting prospect.

By Sander, at January 30, 2011 9:29 pm
Great athlete. Very average boxer though, and that's all he'll ever be if he does it once a year.

To play in the NFL he'd have to cut out his endurance runs and focus on his 40 yard time (not to mention learn the game). Not that I want him to go there though.

I heard Russel Crowes trying to lure him back to League...lol.

By f'edupworld, at January 30, 2011 10:59 pm
Definitely not NFL. The average career for an NFL player is 3 years due to injury. He isn't big or fast enough anyway.

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 11:02 pm
He tried to tackle him at 14 seconds in? Cant wait for him to fight a real fighter and get knocked the fuck out.

By WelshOsprey, at January 30, 2011 11:33 pm
super long arms, commentators need to stop riding his dick though

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 11:36 pm
Definitely not NFL. The average career for an NFL player is 3 years due to injury. He isn't big or fast enough anyway.

--------------

The average career of a Rugby League player in the NRL is 8 games! Neither has anything to do with injury, and everything to do with competition.

Sonny is 6'3, which is 2 inches taller than the average NFL player. And he's 240 lbs, despite being amazingly aerobically fit. He could quite easily put on an additional 20-30lbs and lose nothing in the way of speed in the NFL.

Now, if you think a 6'3, 270lb athlete like SBW isn't big or fast enough for the NFL I'd say you know next to nothing about the NFL, other than what you've seen on commercials.

SBW would never be good enough for the NFL. Because he can't play Football. Nothing to do with his lack of size of speed.

You know nothing about Football. You're lying or you're misinformed.

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 12:04 am
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

By Resident Troll, at January 31, 2011 12:38 am
too slow over 5 metres even if he puts on 30 pounds. nearly too slow too even play winger in rugby. hes has a perfectly sized ego for nfl though

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 1:23 am
@f'edupworld you seriously saying he's a very average boxer?

3rd fight (1st propper) and he won.

SBW would dice your little keyboard hero arse up.

And whos the muppet saying he has an Ego for NFL? Don't hide behind anon mate, grow a pair and don't be a hater.

Too many muppets and pussys on this site these days.

By Pussy patrol, at January 31, 2011 2:39 am
Iv gotta agree with above, it was his first propper fight and he showed some good ability. It's not easy dodging punches like that.. he moved really well, just needs to get a bit more animal in him... Could have finished the guy off in the 4th or 5th round.

And iv never seen any sign of an ego for SBW, for someone who is such a star and constantly in the spotlight, he conducts himself very well.

Lets just hope he sticks to Union and leaves the boxing for the later years.

By Nicko, at January 31, 2011 2:45 am
I only brought up NFL because to me, if I was a bad ass athlete in any code of football I would go with the big bucks.

I thought SBW was new to Union and he's pretty much walked on to the AB's. Why couldn't he walk on to the Detroit Lions or somebody?

Orange: playing in the All Blacks starts BEFORE middle school and this dude did it in what, a year?

I don't think playing tight end demands more skill than playing both ways in the centers in Union.

Fun to think about, that's all!

By tb, at January 31, 2011 6:45 am
Fights like a girl. Make up your mind Sonny, are you a fake rugby player, a rugby player or just a rubbish boxer?

Lanky maori, Spies is a far better athlete.

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 9:50 am
Oh and tb you're a retard. SBW only got into the All Blacks from marketing. All Blacks were losing to Wales in the EOYT before they replaced him with Nonu. I'm the best.

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 9:52 am
The guy he's fighting is a fork lift driver, lol. Couldn't finish off a fork lift driver, wow what a loser. RD this doesn't deserve to be on your site, it's pathetic.

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 9:57 am
I reckon he'd be a great golfer - good balance of power and feel. Hope to see him make the switch soon.

By katman, at January 31, 2011 10:49 am
RD this website is gone to shite. Put up feckin desent rugby highlights like the leinster match last week.

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 10:58 am
Von said...
I love sbw

Well actually, no "Von" didn't say that. some other silly bar steward using my name said this.

Having said that I am a big fan...

By Von, at January 31, 2011 11:13 am
What a joke of a fight, Scott Lewis is literally NOTHING. He's had 8 fights and lost 5 of them.

SBW is not a natural boxer, anyone can goto the gym and lift weights.

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 11:48 am
RD this website is gone to shite. Put up feckin desent rugby highlights like the leinster match last week.

The site has never been a highlights central. In fact, in the past, there was typically much more isolated clips - of just a single crazy try being scored, or some odd incident. Lately there has been much more in terms of highlights.

So, in summation, don't be such a cunt.

By alf, at January 31, 2011 1:02 pm
Sorry, that first paragraph was supposed to be in quotes.

By alf, at January 31, 2011 1:03 pm
Check out the breaking news on BBC Sport; 'Sonny Bill Williams has quit rugby to become a full time snooker player after thrashing 'some guy' in a bar.' Sometimes the truth really is wilder than the speculation. I bet he'll be good though, hes quite the athlete.

By A Wise Man Once, at January 31, 2011 1:30 pm
Meh, if he enjoys doing this kind of thing and it raises a truckload of money for charity then fair play.

By Nick, at January 31, 2011 1:49 pm
'RD this website is gone to shite. Put up feckin desent rugby highlights like the leinster match last week.'

Typical Irishman. Demanding, can't spell, and thinking that other people want to see his team in action.

Get a grip

By simont, at January 31, 2011 1:58 pm
Mmm....not sure about the standard of boxing out there, but hats off to SBW, he's one tough Mo'trucker!

By Alexander, at January 31, 2011 2:54 pm
A wise man once:
that was Classic!!!!!

Looks like he could work on his defense. For the rest, nothing but respect.

By Dutchrugbyplayer, at January 31, 2011 5:45 pm
A COMPARISON of similar positions proves the size differences are minimal for the most part between an All Black and an NFL player.

Gear (1.88cm, 100kg), Nonu (1.82m, 104kg) and Williams (1.91m, 108kg), for example, are similar in speed to an NFL running back.

Take Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings, at 1.78m and 96kg. Dallas's Felix Jones is 1.78m, 99kg, Rashard Mendenhall of the Pittsburgh Steelers, 1.78m, 102kg.

The wide receivers are smaller still. Danny Amendola of St Louis is 1.80m, 84kg, similar in size to Jane (1.83m, 91kg), while Santonio Holmes of the New York Jets is 1.80m and 87kg.

Tightends are bigger – John Carlson of Seattle, 1.96m, 113kg, similar to Anthony Boric (2m, 113kg) or Jerome Kaino (1.96m, 109kg) – while Jermaine Gresham of the Cincinnati Bengals is 1.96m and 118kg.

Sprint times have closed too.

The NFL record for the 40m dash stands at 4.24sec, a mark shared by Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Rondel Melendez in 1999 and running back Chris Johnson of the Tennessee Titans in 2008.

Rugby is not great at providing such stats, but Sosene Anesi is said to have posted the fastest 40m recorded in New Zealand rugby with 4.53sec, while Joe Rokocoko once clocked 4.66sec.

Legends abound about Lomu's pace, but he did clock 10.8sec over 100m when he was at school, not quite as quick as Rokocoko at 10.66sec, or Bryan Habana's 10.4sec.

Polynesians provide a unique genetic set for contact sport, but is unsure if rugby will ever match the African American gene pool for pure speed.

"With the genetics you get probably a greater number of fast twitch fibres, longer Achilles, smaller calves, bigger gluts, so you are a born runner.

"If you watch the game, where they are quick is in changing direction and accelerating. The running backs are very quick off the mark, and have very good stepping ability."
for full article go to...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/4531008/All-Blacks-measure-up-for-American-football/

"

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 6:41 pm
But anonymous, the point is moot. No NFL player is walking onto an international or big-name squad and no rugby player is walking onto an NFL squad (I hesitate in saying that when Francois Steyn and many other fullbacks would probably make a darn good kicker).

It's just too much of a different game.

Now, as an NFL fan, what I would like to see is more rugby-type play in American Football...but that's another topic for another day.

By orange, at January 31, 2011 7:04 pm
SBW is a dud who fights overweight duds. His coach went out and said he would be the next Ali the other day. His whole camp is the laughing stock of Aus+NZ.

P.S. good article about the rugby/NFL

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 7:27 pm
Audley Harrison would take that out!!

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 8:50 pm
@Pussy patrol

Yes he is a VERY average boxer, and that's being polite. I realise he doesn't do it full time though (it obviously shows).

'3rd fight (1st propper) and he won.'

Does that make him a 'good' boxer? lol

By f'edupworld, at January 31, 2011 10:55 pm
Some positions in NFL and rugby have similar size and speed athletes - but it ends there. The games are WAY too different to think one could switch to the other without some serious training for a number of years (assuming we are talking about the top level).

By $BW, at January 31, 2011 11:09 pm
$BW lol im liking it.

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 11:11 pm
People are ridiculous.
This guy is a proffesional rugby player, who has forced his way into the best team in the world after half an NPC season.
He was also one the best rugby league players in the game before he crossed over.
In his SPARE FUCKING TIME he fights proffesionally.
The guy he beat is a chump, but he is a trained boxer, he has fought and won proffesionally before.
Sure this does not make SBW anything more than a below average pro boxer, but he does it IN HIS SPARE TIME.
Most of the retards commenting on this could devote their entire goddamn lives to boxing and still never be as good at it as SBW.

And in regards to his ego, he's ezxtremely humble. He never talks it up, he's always respectful.

Some people are just dicks and can't give credit to him.

By Tom, at February 01, 2011 12:25 am
Scott Lewis is a pretty poor fighter, but he is a pro fighter, with 8 pro fights to his name.
is record is 3 wins - 5 losses, so he's pretty bloody average, but he would knock out anyone who didn't have any idea.
Considering SBW beat him relativley easily and without getting hurt, it's not a bad effort for a guy who trains part time and is only in his third pro fight.

By Jono, at February 01, 2011 12:33 am
OK, not a massive fan of Sonny Bill. I think he's talented but he ain't God's gift to rugby that some people think. All the same, any you guys talking bout his massive ego actually seen interviews with the guy? He doesn't talk himself up, is polite etc.

Again, the bloke is going out and raising thousands of dollars for charity with these fights. The fact that he can be on the best team in the world in rugby (and don't say he isn't good enough) and also box professionally (even if it's against sub par competition) it is still an amazing achievement.

Go out and raise several grand for charity in one night before you start slagging a guy off

By Rowan DeBues, at February 01, 2011 3:42 am
It's kinda hard to believe that Nonu's only 4kg heavier than Gear. Nonu looks like the Three Headed Broadway Star on two legs

By Jeremy, at February 01, 2011 3:43 am
nfl takes a week and a half and rugby is the sport i watch and love! but o'gara got offered crazy money about 8 years ago to play as kicker but stayed with munster it could happen but why they play sport they love for pride and to live!! if they wanted to be rich play soccer with the girls:P

By Anonymous, at February 01, 2011 9:15 pm
I think you idiots are underestimating how difficult it would be to fight Scott lewis.

SBW is an AllBlack who boxes for a bit of fun on the side and he still dusted lewis.

SBW = Humble legend

Spies (not sure why he was brought into this debate) = overated drug cheat.

I'd love to see 1 person on here play opposite SBW or step into the ring with him.

KEYBOARD WARRIORS = PUSSYS

By Anonymous, at February 01, 2011 11:25 pm
^ ironic that you're calling people keyboard warriors but then saying Pierre Spies is a drug cheat? :)
Smart

By Scotsdale, at February 01, 2011 11:36 pm
Spies was accused of Steroid use in 2007 when he had to pull out of the RWC for "a rare blood disease".

I don't believe it though.

By Nicko, at February 02, 2011 4:04 am
Can all the Kiwis please get $BW's dick out of your mouths' for a second.

He is not boxing in his spare time. The reason he is boxing is because the NZRU could not afford the top up required for him to stay in NZ. Get your facts straight you conga line of suck-holes.

Thanks.

By Anonymous, at February 02, 2011 7:32 am
Polynesians provide a unique genetic set for contact sport, but is unsure if rugby will ever match the African American gene pool for pure speed.

---------

Samoans are 50 x more likely on a per person basis to make the NFL than a black guy. In 20 years the game will look insanely different race wise.

NFL is only just catching up in terms of raiding the Pacific.

And we have plenty of Africans in Rugby, especially in Europe. Only Jason Robinson, who was mixed, had other worldly ability.

By Anonymous, at February 02, 2011 9:03 am
The reason he is boxing is because the NZRU could not afford the top up required for him to stay in NZ.

--------

He's boxing because he's friends with Anthony Mundine, who paid the Bulldogs a few hundred thousand when SBW dissapeared.

HAs nothing to do with himself being broke lmao

By rt, at February 02, 2011 9:06 am
wipe the sand out of your clit.

I wasn't saying he was broke, I was saying that the NZRU could not affort to contract him to Canterbury without a top up package because France offered him more. Only way he agreed to play in NZ was via concessions from the NZRU. One which was, boxing.

Now fackoff

By Anonymous, at February 02, 2011 12:42 pm
For all those saying he should go to NFl for some serious money -is that even correct anymore?

Average Tight End in NFL gets $2million. Surely Sonny Bill would get £1-1.5m over in France. Not much of a difference may as well stick with a sport he is proven at.

By Anonymous, at February 02, 2011 5:18 pm
RD the comments on this thread look like they're from 12 year old kids. Some peoples lives are so miserable they have to slag SBW to make themselves feel better.

Rugby has a respectful culture so leave the bitching and hating to soccer fans.

Get a fucken' life!!!

By Toby, at February 02, 2011 11:00 pm
I was the one who said he boxes in his pare time, and I'm not a kiwi.
And he does it part time, you knobend, he trains full time at rugby, then he does a bit of boxing training in the offseason, has a quick pro fight, then back to rugby.
The point i was making is that he is not a full time pro boxer and he still fights pretty well.

By Tom, at February 02, 2011 11:18 pm
whos the anon pussy making these stupid statements? NZRU are paying him 500k + not to mention the endorcements he would be getting... I'm sure he's getting by ok on that type of coin.

He's boxing (as said before) becasue he's mates with AM and he obviously enjoys it.

Do yourself a favour and stop tossing strangers salads mate, its messing with your tiny brain.

By Anonymous, at February 03, 2011 1:12 am
@ Toby, well said. People seem to get their jollies by trash talking SBW... It must keep them awake at night knowing he's now an Allblack and a bloody good one too.

By Agree, at February 03, 2011 1:14 am
Toby, couldn't agree more. Unfortunately trying to moderate such a thread is quite a challenge, as there's cursing (yourself included) and some silly things said on both sides of the argument.

Lets all just try have a decent discussion please, rather than making the comments an unpleasant place for everyone.

Thanks

By GMC, at February 03, 2011 7:24 am
I'm from england and personally I rate SBW really highly, I'd say he's a perfect role model for many rugby players out there and the fact that he's achieved so much and still he's so humble says a lot for me. Let's be honest now the people who are saying all this bull about SBW will never be anything more than a name on a computer, would you ever say any of this to his face? no. so keep you're criticisms of a genuine rugby player who has done and proved so much for the game as a whole, league and union to yourself.

By Anonymous, at February 05, 2011 2:43 pm