Former rugby and boxing star Sonny Bill Williams will be the special guest at the upcoming South Pacific Boxing Promotions (SPBP) event at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on October 26. The announcement was made by SPBP director Mohammed Shameem and promoter Fred Chand.
Shameem expressed that the organization aims to elevate boxing in Fiji, and despite financial losses in previous events held in Ba, Lautoka, and Labasa, they remain committed to promoting the sport. Chand revealed that Williams and his manager, Khoder Nasser, will arrive in Fiji on October 25, where Williams will participate in the official weigh-in and the event itself. Attendees who purchase $100 ringside tickets will have the opportunity to meet him.
Additionally, the SPBP plans to organize dinners featuring Williams as a guest speaker, along with sporting clinics. Williams is also scheduled to visit three schools to discuss the dangers of drug use with students.
Williams has had a distinguished sports career, playing 123 NRL games with the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters, where he participated in two Grand Final victories. He later transitioned to rugby union, representing the All Blacks in 58 Test matches and contributing to their Rugby World Cup wins in 2011 and 2015. His boxing record includes nine wins and one loss, and his manager is an Australian sports agent and boxing promoter.
Chand mentioned that the SPBP is looking for sponsorship from businesses interested in supporting events featuring Williams, noting the expenses involved in bringing such notable athletes to Fiji, with a focus on grassroots initiatives.
The highlight of the boxing event will be a title fight between IBO Asia Pacific super welterweight champion Winston Hill and Lachlan O’Shea from Australia. Other featured matchups include a vacant IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight bout with local fighter Sebastian Singh facing Australian boxer Tonga Tongotongo, an IBO Oceania-Orient featherweight title fight between Umbayd Haider and China’s Runqi Zhou, and a clash for the Fiji super middleweight title where Nadi’s Siliveni Nawai will defend against Jonathan Hill from Suva. Chand indicated that there has been a positive response to the fights, while hoping for good weather on the event day.