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Cape Town - Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed the date and venue for his fight against South Africa's Francois Botha.
According to the Stuff.co.nz website, Williams, 27, will fight Botha in Brisbane on November 24, after speculation the bout would take place in Durban.
Botha has 48 wins and eight losses - two of those defeats coming in world title fights against Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko - but at 44, the "White Buffalo" is well past his prime.
The former champion has taken shots from some of the best - Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, just to name a few - and, for that reason, he feels the Kiwi rugby/league star is not in his league.
"He's going to have a rude awakening but it will make him a better fighter in the future," Botha said last week.
"Sonny Bill Williams might be a good rugby player but I don't see him as a good boxer. He doesn't belong in the boxing ring. He should go play rugby.
"He's just starting out his career. He's taking a big step up. It's a big risk."
Williams is currently playing his rugby in Japan, after which he is expected to return to the NRL with the Sydney Roosters in 2013.
Since 2009 he has boxed five times, winning all five of his heavyweight bouts. He is the current New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) Heavyweight champion.
According to the Stuff.co.nz website, Williams, 27, will fight Botha in Brisbane on November 24, after speculation the bout would take place in Durban.
Botha has 48 wins and eight losses - two of those defeats coming in world title fights against Lennox Lewis and Wladimir Klitschko - but at 44, the "White Buffalo" is well past his prime.
The former champion has taken shots from some of the best - Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield, just to name a few - and, for that reason, he feels the Kiwi rugby/league star is not in his league.
"He's going to have a rude awakening but it will make him a better fighter in the future," Botha said last week.
"Sonny Bill Williams might be a good rugby player but I don't see him as a good boxer. He doesn't belong in the boxing ring. He should go play rugby.
"He's just starting out his career. He's taking a big step up. It's a big risk."
Williams is currently playing his rugby in Japan, after which he is expected to return to the NRL with the Sydney Roosters in 2013.
Since 2009 he has boxed five times, winning all five of his heavyweight bouts. He is the current New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) Heavyweight champion.
