New Zealand Rugby Icon Also A World-Class Boxer

You could say that Sonny Bill Williams takes multi-sporting to the extreme.

Williams is known first and foremost as a rugby legend for New Zealand’s famous All Blacks. However, when he wasn’t cleaning out rucks, driving mauls, and scoring tries, Williams was also excelling professionally in a second sport.

That would be in the squared circle of the boxing ring.

His rugby resume is well-known. Williams is one of 44 players to win multiple Rugby Cups in 2011 and 2015. He was the second player to represent New Zealand internationally in rugby union after first playing for his country in rugby league. Williams also represented the Kiwis at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympic Games in the debut of rugby sevens.

At the tail end of his playing days, Williams returned to rugby league. He even played in Canada, for the Toronto Wolfpack in 2020.

At the height of his rugby career, Williams made his pro debut as a heavyweight boxer in 2009. Under contract to the New Zealand Rugby Union, he was granted permission to fight by the organization.

Williams continues to fight professionally today. He is 9-1 as a pro. His ability in the ring is such that iconic boxing promoter Don King sought to add Williams to his stable of fighters.

The rugby star has reigned as New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) heavyweight champion and World Boxing Association (WBA) International heavyweight champion. He defeated former world heavyweight contender Francois Botha to earn the latter title.