Other Sport
SBW has no choice - Botha
2013-02-28 08:58
Sydney - Francois Botha says Sonny Bill Williams will be "known as garbage"
in boxing circles if he doesn't take a rematch though the South African
heavyweight has doubts the multi-talented Kiwi sportsman will get back
in the ring with him.
According to the stuff.co.nz website, Williams beat Botha on points in Brisbane earlier this month, in a
bout full of controversy that included allegations of match-fixing,
bribery and doping.
The managers of the two boxers have spoken of a rematch in South
Africa in December - once Williams is free of his NRL commitments. Botha
believes that is the only way for Williams, a boxing novice, to gain
respect.
Williams won the WBA International belt in Brisbane but Botha says
he wouldn't be surprised if Williams gave that up, rather than fight him
again.
"I think he is going to give it up (the WBA International title). He
had a little taste of deep water and he didn't like it. He almost
drowned," Botha told specialist boxing radio station ATG.
"Hopefully he will do it. If not his profession (sic) will be
diminished. He will never be respected. I hope for his sake he will
take it and come fight the Buffalo. Otherwise Sonny Bill Williams will
never be the same. He will never be a high level athlete and will be
known as garbage!"
The 44-year-old Botha was at his trash-talking best as he spoke to
respected radio host Tim Kudgis about the Brisbane shambles.
"This boy Sonny Bill Williams has no option but to fight the White Buffalo again," he said.
"There was a contract that was signed when Sonny Bill Williams came
to South Africa about a year and a half ago. That was a 10 round bout
here in South Africa. That fight never took place."
He claimed in his recent discussions with the WBA, measures would be
taken to ensure a rematch would be free of the controversies of the
first fight that included it mysteriously being cut from 12 to 10
rounds.
"There is going to be no match-fixing or doping. It is going to be
for the WBA International Championship in South Africa - where the real
men are going to come out. He has no choice but to fight the Buffalo."
Botha could be in action in New Zealand in May if plans to have him
fight rising New Zealand heavyweight Joseph Parker materialise.
Parker's promoters Duco Events say they have "agreed to terms" with Botha's management but a contract is yet to be signed.