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Sydney - Sonny Bill Williams has admitted to having sleepless nights ahead of his fight against Francois Botha scheduled for Friday, February 8 at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
Williams, currently playing in Japan before he joins the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL) next season, believes he will have to "up his game" against the former heavyweight champion, nicknamed the ‘White Buffalo’, despite the 44-year-old South African being in the twilight of his career.
Speaking to Fox Sport's TV network, Williams admitted Botha posed a serious challenge to his fledgling boxing career.
VIDEO: SBW's 'sleepless nights' interview
“Sometimes, I won’t lie, I lie awake at night, have restless nights. But the majority of the time I’m just concentrating on what I’m doing. Tonight I’m boxing, tomorrow I’m boxing, but next week I’m playing footie...”
Williams said he was carrying a few niggles and injury worries into the bout.
“As soon as the fight is over we’ll assess where things are with the shoulder, with the (pectoral injury).”
Williams is set to join up with the Sydney Roosters for pre-season training and his team will be hoping to avoid an injury to their star signing ahead of their NRL season.
“The boys know that I’m a professional off the field, what I can bring, and what I offer,” Williams said.
Williams said he was excited to face a boxer who had stepped into the same ring with Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Wladimir Klitschko.
“You know it’s just a privilege to fight someone who’s been in the ring with some of those guys, I’m pretty excited, but definitely nervous at the same time,” Williams confessed.
Williams, currently playing in Japan before he joins the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League (NRL) next season, believes he will have to "up his game" against the former heavyweight champion, nicknamed the ‘White Buffalo’, despite the 44-year-old South African being in the twilight of his career.
Speaking to Fox Sport's TV network, Williams admitted Botha posed a serious challenge to his fledgling boxing career.
VIDEO: SBW's 'sleepless nights' interview
“Sometimes, I won’t lie, I lie awake at night, have restless nights. But the majority of the time I’m just concentrating on what I’m doing. Tonight I’m boxing, tomorrow I’m boxing, but next week I’m playing footie...”
Williams said he was carrying a few niggles and injury worries into the bout.
“As soon as the fight is over we’ll assess where things are with the shoulder, with the (pectoral injury).”
Williams is set to join up with the Sydney Roosters for pre-season training and his team will be hoping to avoid an injury to their star signing ahead of their NRL season.
“The boys know that I’m a professional off the field, what I can bring, and what I offer,” Williams said.
Williams said he was excited to face a boxer who had stepped into the same ring with Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Wladimir Klitschko.
“You know it’s just a privilege to fight someone who’s been in the ring with some of those guys, I’m pretty excited, but definitely nervous at the same time,” Williams confessed.
