Former rugby star and boxer Sonny Bill Williams will be the featured guest at the upcoming South Pacific Boxing Promotions (SPBP) event at Prince Charles Park in Nadi on October 26. The confirmation came from SPBP director Mohammed Shameem and promoter Fred Chand.
Shameem expressed the organization’s commitment to elevating boxing in Fiji, noting that SPBP has previously organized events in Ba, Lautoka, and Labasa despite facing financial challenges.
Williams, along with his manager Khoder Nasser, will arrive in Fiji on October 25 and will participate in the official weigh-in that day, as well as on the day of the fight. Fans who purchase $100 ringside tickets will have the opportunity to meet Williams.
Chand also mentioned that SPBP plans to host dinners featuring Williams as a guest speaker and to conduct sporting clinics. Additionally, Williams is scheduled to speak to students at three schools about the dangers of drug use and the importance of avoiding drugs.
Williams has an impressive background in sports, having played 123 matches in the National Rugby League (NRL) for the Canterbury Bulldogs and Sydney Roosters. He became the youngest player to compete in the NRL Grand Final in 2004 and achieved this milestone again in 2012 with the Roosters.
He transitioned to rugby union, earning 58 test caps for the All Blacks and being part of the victorious squads in the 2011 and 2015 Rugby World Cups. His boxing career includes a record of nine wins and one loss in the heavyweight division. His manager, Khoder Nasser, is known as an Australian sports agent and boxing promoter.
Chand mentioned that SPBP is seeking sponsorship from businesses to help cover the costs of hosting well-known athletes like Williams, emphasizing that the events focus on grassroots development.
The main event of the boxing night features IBO Asia Pacific super welterweight champion Winston Hill defending his title against Lachlan O’Shea of Australia in a 10-round bout. Other notable fights include a vacant IBO Asia Pacific cruiserweight clash between local fighter Sebastian Singh and Australia’s Tonga Tongotongo, as well as the IBO Oceania-Orient featherweight title fight between Umbayd Haider and China’s Runqi Zhou. A fourth title fight will see Nadi’s Siliveni Nawai defend the Fiji super middleweight title against Jonathan Hill from Suva.
“We’ve received positive feedback for the bouts, but we are hoping for good weather,” Chand added.