Former rugby star and professional boxer Sonny Bill Williams is set to be the featured 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 the organization’s commitment to elevate boxing in the country, noting previous events held in Ba, Lautoka, and Labasa, despite some financial setbacks. Williams and his manager, Khoder Nasser, are scheduled to arrive on October 25, just a day before the event. Attendees who purchase $100 ringside tickets will have the opportunity to meet Williams, who will also participate in the official weigh-in on the same day.
In addition to the boxing event, Chand mentioned that Williams would be a guest speaker at several dinners and would conduct sporting clinics. He will also visit three schools to educate students about the dangers of drug use.
Williams boasts an impressive athletic background, having played 123 matches in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters. He made history as the youngest player to appear in a Bulldogs NRL Grand Final victory in 2004 and again in 2012 with the Roosters. Transitioning to rugby union, Williams played 58 Test matches for the All Blacks, contributing to their Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2011 and 2015. He later took up boxing, holding a record of nine wins and one loss in the heavyweight division.
Chand announced that the SPBP is seeking sponsorship from businesses interested in supporting the event featuring Williams, as the costs of hosting such internationally recognized athletes are considerable.
The main fight of the evening will feature IBO Asia Pacific super welterweight champion Winston Hill facing Lachlan O’Shea from Australia in a 10-round title match. Other notable bouts include Sebastian Singh competing for the vacant IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight title against unbeaten Australian knockout specialist Tonga Tongotongo, Umbayd Haider battling China’s Runqi Zhou for the IBO Oceania-Orient featherweight title, and Nadi’s Siliveni Nawai defending the Fiji super middleweight title against Jonathan Hill from Suva.
Chand shared that the response to the fights has been encouraging, with hopes for favorable weather conditions on the event day.