Williams given OK for boxing bout

Canterbury and New Zealand centre Sonny Bill Williams has been given clearance by the New Zealand Rugby Union to take part a professional boxing bout in January.

The prodigiously gifted 25-year-old, who starred in the All Blacks recent Grand Slam tour of Britain and Ireland, has already won two fights at pro level and will now face Scott Lewis in Newcastle, Australia on January 29.

NZRU general manager Neil Sorensen explained that the union had previously agreed to allow former rugby league star Williams to fight when they negotiated his contract following his move from French club Toulon.

He said: “It was agreed with Sonny Bill as part of his contract with the NZRU that he would be able to undertake professional boxing fights and we are comfortable with the timing of this event.

“We are comfortable that his boxing training regime and the bout itself won’t impact on his preparations for the Super Rugby season with the Crusaders and he will rejoin the Crusaders squad for pre-season training again after the fight.”