Sonny Bill Williams vs Francois Botha: Boxing live updates, blog
Editor By Chad Bennett, 8 Feb 2013 Chad Bennett is a Roar Editor
- Tagged:
- Boxing, Francois Botha, Quade Cooper, Sonny Bill Williams
210 Have your say
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Sonny Bill Williams (SBW) takes on Clarence Tillman - join our live blog for scores and updates
Sonny Bill Williams will face the biggest test of his boxing career when he faces South African Francois Botha in Brisbane tonight, while Quade Cooper makes his boxing debut on the undercard. We’ll have live updates from 8.30pm AEDT.
Tyson. Lewis. Klitschko.
Three of the greatest heavyweight champions in boxing history and 44-year-old Francois Botha, tonight the opponent of league-turned-rugby-turned-boxing star Sonny Bill Williams, has stood toe-to-toe with all three of them.
Nevermind that Botha lost all three, that over a decade has passed since the three fights took place, or the fact that Williams was five years old when Botha made his professional debut in 1990.
But there are plenty questioning why Sonny Bill, whose boxing record stands at 5-0 (3 KO), comes into the fight as favourite against a fighter who won his first 35 professional bouts, and still holds a 48-8-3 record.
Sonny Bill has spoken pre-fight about the “huge risk” that comes with fighting the South African and it seems he is aware that he could be walking into a hornet’s nest.
Despite reportedly possessing considerable boxing ability, Williams’ five-bout career has been a series of stunts and sideshows.
Tonight will get the chance to change that perception and earn himself a reputation as a genuine boxer.
Prior to the main event interest will be focussed on the professional boxing debut of Quade Cooper, who will fight 32-year-old journeyman Barry Dunnett.
These two bouts highlight the six-fight card, which begins on Main Event at 7.00pm AEDT. We’ll have live coverage of Williams vs Botha from 9.30pm AEDT.
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The Crowd Says (210) | Page 1 of Comments
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Have Your Say
- Explore:
- Boxing, Francois Botha, Quade Cooper, Sonny Bill Williams
9:38pm
Bazzio said | 9:38pm | Report comment
There maybe a rematch in South Africa as Botha protests & SBW named “Provisional” winner ~
It is believed boxing novice Williams (6-0 record) will technically be awarded the win but will not be officially recognised as WBA champion due to the unprecedented move to cut short the bout in Brisbane.
http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8607754
7:56pm
Bazzio said | 7:56pm | Report comment
I haven’t seen such a pathetic “fight” since Rocky & Lucky Gattellari’s big comeback fights. I put this SBW “fight” in the same category.
12:03pm
Whites said | 12:03pm | Report comment
Boxing is hilarious.
11:32am
Tembavj said | 11:32am | Report comment
At least he bled a bit for a change… If it bleeds, you can kill it.
11:30am
Tembavj said | 11:30am | Report comment
Botha was preserving himself, he did not unload signature attack at the start. Normal tactics for a man of his age.
Sbw looked good but when Botha opened the gates, SBW defence was lacking. He wasn’t even caught clean and he stumbled, holding for dear life. Desperate stuff when the fight took off.
Yea his good at sports, is he great at any of them? Has he been tested over time in anything?
His marketing value is great more so then anything he has done in sport.
Young people fall for it, the way some think WWE is real.
Great athlete, better marketing tool.
This fight was BS no amount of spin from the spin masters will turn this over.
11:12am
Tembavj said | 11:12am | Report comment
Josh you show me one peace of pre fight evidence that is was a 10 round fight and ill but it.
If not the norm must be paid.
7:16am
Tembavj said | 7:16am | Report comment
Foxtel advertised it as 12 round tight so does this mean I get my money back?
What a joke, Botha looked subdued during the first 6 and $BW looked good then it changed and some one decided to chance the leght of the fight?
It was over in 11 SBW would have planked the ring before 12. Looked average on e Botha started. Fighting
6:41am
Red Kev said | 6:41am | Report comment
10th round is up on YouTube, SBW had nothing by then, just grabbed Botha every chance he could.
Complete farce.
No way could he have lasted two more rounds. Not sure how the title can be awarded. Certainly they can cut it short and name SBW the winner (based on points won from previous rounds) which everyone knows is a joke, but they can do it. But they can’t award the title after 10 rounds without a KO or a towel I didn’t think.
Williams was losing so they declared him the winner and went home. Childish and pathetic. Very Mundine.
7:19am
Tembavj said | 7:19am | Report comment
Red Kev can you post a link?
7:22am
Red Kev said | 7:22am | Report comment
poor quality but here
Last Round:
“Highlights” shows SBW in early rounds as a good contrast
4:26am
Kevin said | 4:26am | Report comment
What a joke SWB he thinks he’s the best ,But of course you would when you are in your prime fighting a older generation of boxing who had his time of fighting .Wining this doesn’t mean anything he’s still a loser.
2:20am
Ryan said | 2:20am | Report comment
Losing bets have been voided with certain bookies in SA.
If sharks are willing to give money back then you know something is up!
7:03am
shocked said | 7:03am | Report comment
Will be interesting to see what australian sportsbooks do ????
11:58am
Cantab said | 11:58am | Report comment
Kiwi tabs and international one like bet 365 are all refunding.
12:31pm
Chris said | 12:31pm | Report comment
The TAB in New Zealand ain’t too happy. Check out the NZ Herald.
11:17pm
Johnno said | 11:17pm | Report comment
SBW will never win a real world title, if a 44 yr old ex world clas stop 5 boxer can beat him and really should of depsite offically losing, what chance has SBW got vs a world class 28 yr old heavy weight, or vs a Muhammed Ali , or a Mike Tyson, or a rocky marciano, or a joe frazier or george forman in there prime.
SBW will never go close to matching Ali in the boxing world,. SBW world title is a chump title, SBW would not last 1 round vs Ali,Tyson,Lennox Lewis, Holyfield, Klitscho brothers in there prime.
1:21am
SuperEel22 said | 1:21am | Report comment
No one will go close to matching Ali in the ring. He was, is and always will be the greatest. SBW is a chump and would get sat on his ass by any half decent boxer.
2:18am
Ryan said | 2:18am | Report comment
SBW would not last 1 round vs Ali,Tyson,Lennox Lewis, Holyfield, Klitscho brothers in there prime”
Heck he would not last 1 round against Botha in his prime. LOL!
11:15pm
fanie said | 11:15pm | Report comment
if you know anyting about boxing you know that you go in with a game plan , one could see frans building since r 7 . this does not look very good for boxing
11:15pm
Brendo said | 11:15pm | Report comment
Well one way to clear some of the confusion is too see what the bookies had as the length of the fight. If they scheduled it for 12 and it went 10, then there may be a large amount of money having to be refunded. This could serve as a case in point for all of the crap that has surfaced in the past day or so.
2:17am
Cantab said | 2:17am | Report comment
Had 100 on Botha and have been contacted by bet365 to say that my bet has been refunded.
11:08pm
Stacks said | 11:08pm | Report comment
So can anyone confirm the 10 rounds?? What did the promo say?
11:08pm
Dan said | 11:08pm | Report comment
Sonny “Boy” Williams – did the announcer also get his name wrong?.. As well as 10 or 12?… Love the Buffalo Soldier
11:07pm
Chris said | 11:07pm | Report comment
I thought boxing always had a shady side and controversy. I think that is how they keep you the public interested in watching. It is an entertainment sport with lots of drama.
Check out this article about Tyson warning 50 Cent of boxing’s shady side.
http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/08/20/12/tyson-warns-50-cent-boxings-shady-side
It is all about MONEY. 3 rugby stars boxing! + former top heavy weight. Hmmm sounds like a winner!
Go SBW! You did well considering boxing is a part-time sport. Just jumping in the ring with Botha is a big achievement.
11:04pm
Ripped off said | 11:04pm | Report comment
What a farce. It was scheduled for 12 rounds, no doubt. Totally set up, the money drives it. SBW was saved by politics and took the belt, I have been ripped off, not paying for another of his fights. Botha was on the way to victory and was robbed, plain and simple. Sonny Bill held on and tried to dance with him most of the time. Botha saved his run, wisely but got disadvantaged at the end. Sad sad sad.
11:45pm
lena said | 11:45pm | Report comment
Hugely disappointed with the blatant cheating! when a 12 round fight turns into a 10 round fight…just as SBW looks like hes gonna get KO’d, is that not match fixing or cheating??? Obviously someone stood to lose alot of money tonight had Botha won. Talk about scandal! No disrespect to SBW, but for me Botha should have won – by KO without the holding and running the clock down.
I feel thoroughly ripped off. what an anticlimax
11:02am
Josh said | 11:02am | Report comment
As if , Botha ‘s camp new it was 10 rounds and so did Sbw so you can’t say they would have fought the same if it was 12 rounds not 10. Sbw was smart in the last round he ran down the clock, he new he was in front and he was facing a guy with much more experience then him in boxing and as such new it was a risk at the end of the fight. he beat a guy with real power and real class record in only hid fifth fight it was a fantastic effort . All it involves is people for some reason hate Sbw. He has reached a top level in 3 sports which is a great effort and ok he broke a contract with the dogs but they got thier money in return and got to play off it and will play off it this year so don’t feel sorry for the dogs.
11:08am
Tembavj said | 11:08am | Report comment
Yes Josh and some people can’t see him do anything wrong…
Man crush stuff.
If the bookies have it at 12, the judges and the everyone else in the world why should only sbw and Nasser have this info. Beside the title he won can only be contested over 12.
10:57pm
Kevin said | 10:57pm | Report comment
I’m not a follower of boxing but can someone explain to me how some of you blame SBW for the score the judges give and also for the fact that it was 10 rounds not 12? The guy is obviously good at a lot of things but really, does he control everything????
1:02am
Jacques said | 1:02am | Report comment
Well if something like boxing is scheduled for twelve rounds that means another 6 minutes. SBW was out on his feet in 10. Then tell me do you really think he would have lasted. Hey I thought cricket was corrupt this is corruption right in your face. It is clear to see that the shit hit the fan, The lance Armstrong has nothing on this. I have lost all respect for SBW he is no carreer fighter and as you say rightfully he should keep it at past time. If he comes up agaainst the big guns he will get murdered.
10:56pm
S-D said | 10:56pm | Report comment
In the end of the day, SBW will have not have the respect of fans or his fellow sportsmen. And to many pro sports athletes that’s what counts the most. After he has retired from all sport one day, nobody will speak of him in high regard.
11:19pm
Jiggles said | 11:19pm | Report comment
When has he had the respect?
11:31pm
Chubb said | 11:31pm | Report comment
I respect what he’s done. Poor choice breaking the contract with the Bulldogs, however since then has knuckled down and become a very good rugby player. Haters are gonna hate, but personally I think he’s a pretty impressive athlete.
11:53pm
Jiggles said | 11:53pm | Report comment
He was a bit player in a RWC squad. Many more blokes with a lot smaller profile have achieved more in rugby.
12:28am
eagleJack said | 12:28am | Report comment
Jiggles this video was posted by another Roarer today. If you haven’t seen it, watch it. If you get to the end of the 6mins and still have a low opinion of SBW’s rugby skills then I would be very surprised. People aren’t claiming he is the greatest. Far from it. But he certainly made a huge impact in a short amount of time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWrcyaTUJgc
As a League fan as well Im looking forward to seeing what he can do this year (even if it is at the Roosters
)
12:38am
Jiggles said | 12:38am | Report comment
Regardless of what skill he has he was still only a bit player in a RWC squad. Rod Kafer has achieved more.
12:43am
eagleJack said | 12:43am | Report comment
And Rod Kafer was a good player in his own right. Why the hatred towards SBW?
And while he may only have been a “bit” player in a RWC squad, he certainly stepped up the following year to be arguably the best player in Super Rugby 2012. The Chiefs certainly thought so, giving him their players award in the year they claimed the title. Not bad.
1:22am
Jiggles said | 1:22am | Report comment
No hate, just pointing out he is a joke who has cut and run from sports where he doesn’t get his way, And how the fan boys always pull the awesome athlete card. he cut and run from the Bulldogs, crusaders, all blacks, and now boxing,
Again rugby is a team sport and he has only been a bit player at the top level. I don’t see you singing the praise of Quade who did far more than sbw did in 2011 for the reds. Cruden carried sbw last year, but you wouldn’t know that only watching the channel 9 highlights.
6:32am
Jerry said | 6:32am | Report comment
Jiggles, I’m no SBW fanboy but that’s rubbish. He did far more for the Chiefs than Quade did for the Reds and given how Cruden played with the AB’s post SBW it’d be just as valid to say he carried Cruden (in actual fact neither carried the other, both were very very good).
7:51am
eagleJack said | 7:51am | Report comment
Why would I be singing the praise of Quade when we are simply talking about SBW? There are plenty of players I failed to praise as well. Should I list every single one for you?
Perhaps if SBW played for the Reds you would change your tune. It’s ok to be narrow minded.
10:53pm
Jiggles said | 10:53pm | Report comment
Haha ACC have a look at tonight thanks, SBW you’re a joke.
10:52pm
Mick said | 10:52pm | Report comment
Waste of $40 if ya ask me thought it was 12 rounds and not 10 plz explain
10:50pm
Johnno said | 10:50pm | Report comment
I don’t know if SBW will reel me back in . I spent $40 bucks, on a fight cut short by 2 rounds, a ref who deducted a point when SBW, was down for the count and saved him 20 seconds. SBW your not going to get my $40 bucks so easy next time you fight mate, was entertaining but felt sorry for Botha. He was the better fighter, should of gone to 12.
11:22pm
Jiggles said | 11:22pm | Report comment
Mate this week you were talking about you paying to see blokes like SBW play rugby and not blokes like faingaa. What gives?
10:46pm
Blu said | 10:46pm | Report comment
Hahaha stop the hate u losers sbw is the man take that old botha left it to late u muppets if hes a pro he knows he should of got moreactive from the start so take that haters
10:54pm
Jake said | 10:54pm | Report comment
Blu SBW won’t get any support here, they’d prefer to whinge and moan then offer praise.
For someone in their 6th or 7th fight to beat someone in their 60th shows some skill. Even though Botha isn’t as good as he was, SBW isn’t a full time boxer at this stage. Awesome potential.
I love it how all these haters bag SBW, but still are watching the fight, commenting on the fight etc…..
11:09pm
Red Baron said | 11:09pm | Report comment
Not bagging him out mate. He’s an amazing athlete. Just puzzled at why the goal posts were shifted mid fight. I’m neutral in this as I just wanted to watch a good fight.
Can you not admit that it was a little odd that the fight was shortened once he started losing?
11:00pm
Gerhard said | 11:00pm | Report comment
You plan your fight strategically according to the lenght of the fight. Why tire yourself in the beginning of the fight.
But obvious, you don’t know.
11:09pm
steve b said | 11:09pm | Report comment
Blu you must have watched the wrong fight you and any other who think SBW won honestly cant count Botha parryed most of SBW punches away they were not scoring punches mate , the fight was rigged no doubt advertised for 12 and it goes ten even the trainer thought it was supposed to be 12 , what a shocker Aussie Boxing is becomng a joke when they can let this sort of thing happen .
1:05am
Jacques said | 1:05am | Report comment
Whatever as you say rightfully he got beat by a guy twice his age. And saved by an organisation. that is no win acceot if you are a New Zeelander
1:09am
Jacques said | 1:09am | Report comment
You must be a another oussy from New Zeeland.!!!!! He got punsihhed and as a 27 year old could not take the punishment he was getting. Not a sour loser but you guys in New Zeeland can obviously not count to rwelve.
10:43pm
Bazzio said | 10:43pm | Report comment
title fights “the championship distance,” usually means 12 rounds Non-title fights can be of any length under 12 rounds but are typically 10 rounds or fewer
10:46pm
Toa said | 10:46pm | Report comment
Wasn’t this a international tile Belt?
10:50pm
Jake said | 10:50pm | Report comment
Nice copy and paste job from wiki there Bazzio
8:48pm
hein said | 8:48pm | Report comment
all i can say is…botha won fair and square. look at ex south african heavyweights, gerrie coetzee, corrie saunders,botha…all fought the best in the world. south africa has in rugby 2 world cups in 5 world cups..beat that.
10:42pm
matt said | 10:42pm | Report comment
Can anyone remember if ring announcer said 10 or 12 rounds of boxing at the start?
10:49pm
Lajos said | 10:49pm | Report comment
If anyone thought that boxing is not bought then they must seriously go and watch this fight.
What a disgrace for boxing fans.
But don’t worry the South African rugby teams will bring SBW back to earth where he belongs, face first.
10:50pm
Adam said | 10:50pm | Report comment
I thought it was scheduled for 12 rounds And the below sites seem to indicate the same… 12 rounds. at 10 rounds i would agree with the judges but with another 2 rounds Botha would have had a good chance of a KO
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/8276252/Sonny-Bill-hopes-to-rein-in-South-African
http://www.aus-boxing.com/2013/02/07/sonny-bill-williams-vs-francois-botha-live-blog-results/
http://www.worldboxingnews.net/news/photos/2013/02/07/wbn-photo-sonny-bill-williams-v-francois-botha-weigh-in-results.html
10:55pm
Victor said | 10:55pm | Report comment
Definitely announced for 12 rounds, watching the start of the fight again.
http://www.worldboxingnews.net/news/photos/2013/02/07/wbn-photo-sonny-bill-williams-v-francois-botha-weigh-in-results.html
Numerous pre fight articles state 12 rounds, and apparently WBA regulations state title fights are 12 rounds.
Worst fix I have seen in a long time SBW was ready to get laid out cold. I guess Nasser and his mates aren’t reading the newspapers at the moment, sure to rate a mention in the next match-fixing report.
11:19pm
Toa said | 11:19pm | Report comment
Andy Raymond was absolutely gob smack when the fight was called in at ten!!!!……of all people your TV voice or at least the foxs editors & administrators would have known if it was ten, it seems everyone missed it….how’d that happen?? look SBW show awesome skills however me thinks Botha Camps were campaigning to ride late into back 6 by using his experience to flush sonny out….well the white rasta got short change!!!!!
11:05pm
Adam said | 11:05pm | Report comment
Here’s something better… The TAB in NZ
http://static.tab.co.nz/content/pdf_form/BOXI_AllOdds.pdf
Williams paying $25 to win in the 11 or 12 round and Botha paying $30. Bit harder to argue the betting agencies got it wrong
10:42pm
Johnno said | 10:42pm | Report comment
SBW a coward , he will lose alot of respect, fans just want a fair fight, Botha got jibbed, I hope SBW loses his next fight. SBW is so far away from being a world class boxer. If a former world class 44 yr old can do that, what can say a David Haye or Klitschko do, SBW would not last 1 round, nor would he last 1 round vs Botha in his prime.
Botha is a boxer, SBW is a street fighter , big difference.
10:47pm
eagleJack said | 10:47pm | Report comment
Wladimir Klitschko has had 202 fights (140 amateur and 62 professional). SBW has now had 6 fights.
So yeah he would absolutely kill SBW. Doesn’t take a genius to work that one out Johnno.
11:09pm
atlas said | 11:09pm | Report comment
and the keyboard warrior (boxer?) has spoken
all bow down in his presence
10:41pm
eagleJack said | 10:41pm | Report comment
No doubt Botha finished the strongest but was well and truly beaten in the 1st 8 Rounds. Was the fight meant to go 12? Who knows. But the fact SBW was able to get to 10 Rounds in his 6th (that is SIXTH) fight EVER is pretty amazing.
But no doubt the couch potatoes out there, who pray for people more successful than them to fail, will be up in arms.
1:12am
Jacques said | 1:12am | Report comment
Inappropriate message removed
8:05am
eagleJack said | 8:05am | Report comment
Actually Jacques I am Australian. But nice comment.
The main point I was making is that SBW did very well last night, in spite of the controversial finish.
Even if he is stripped of the belt, the SBW camp would be very happy with what they saw in the first 8 Rounds. He looked far more experienced than a bloke stepping in the ring for the 6th time. And for the first time in 12 months with a disrupted preparation.
6:09am
alex said | 6:09am | Report comment
coming from a boxing enthusiast and amateur boxer, not a couch potato, nor australian, my opinion is botha was winning, williams couldnt hurt him, botha looked a lot better, and besides, just as money bill was about to get knocked out, they cut the match 2 rounds short…
8:59pm
hein said | 8:59pm | Report comment
Botha is a boxer of 44 and overweight…look at how he knoced out a super athlete of 27 on his feet..what a shame for sbw and nz…springboks the best for ever in rugby and boxing!
i would have love to see corrie saunders in the ring…..
10:41pm
Red Baron said | 10:41pm | Report comment
Very odd to change the length of the fight. Smells suss. Imagine running a 10,000m race only to find at the 7,500m mark that it was only an 8,000m race. People who were saving that gas to come home strong with would be seriously disadvantaged and the lesser athletes would have a better chance of winning. Same principle applies here. What a farce. I’m glad I streamed this crap and didn’t waste money on it.
10:38pm
Jake said | 10:38pm | Report comment
It was scheduled for 10 rounds. Some newspapers reported it as 12, but it was always 10. Good work Sonny.
10:46pm
steve b said | 10:46pm | Report comment
the biggest load of rubbish i have ever witnessed Botha kicked his arse it was supposed to 12 rounds and they stopped it aT 10 SBW WAS GOING DOWN , THIS IS THE LAST TIME I WASTE MY HARD EARNED ON A SBW FIGHT.
12:04am
SBw fan said | 12:04am | Report comment
I agree. I was a Williams fan for this one but what just happened was a joke! (Money). Botha did make a few cheep shots whilst the ref was untying them but you’re in denial if you didn’t see Williams on the floor if it went any longer…..def not SBW’s fault -wasn’t his choice to shorten to ten but Botha was robbed! And looked to have a lot more left in the tank.
As a side note, Sky tv ripped me off with 2 missing rounds.
10:06am
Joe Mundine said | 10:06am | Report comment
You are wilfully deceiving yourself. NZ’s only official gambling agency the TAB has just complained saying they investigated and confirmed the 12 rounds prior to the fight as “this has happened before in SBW bouts”.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10864345
Nasser and Mundine are fixing, no surprises there. I hear they are investigating match fixing in Australian sport, well here’s an easy starting point
10:38pm
Lee said | 10:38pm | Report comment
Wtf 12 round fight changer to 10 is that legal knock him the f out!!!
10:37pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:37pm | Report comment
D.U.B.I.O.U.S stuff here. Botha’s trainer proclaiming that the fight was scheduled to go 12 – has this been shortened here? What just happened here??
10:39pm
Bazzio said | 10:39pm | Report comment
Chad Bennett ~ thank you very much Chad for your fight call. Great call.
10:43pm
stevie said | 10:43pm | Report comment
Wtf botha whould have ko sonny in 11 what a joke sonny doesnt deserve the win
10:35pm
Erina said | 10:35pm | Report comment
WELL DONE Francois, you are THE BEST, it is only points that seperates the win.
10:35pm
Brendo said | 10:35pm | Report comment
What an absolute joke. I can’t believe that was for a belt. I’d be ashamed to be associated with that.
10:34pm
Cantab said | 10:34pm | Report comment
Someone
10:34pm
Bokkie said | 10:34pm | Report comment
What is it early bedtime in Brisbane??
Bubushkas(
10:34pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:34pm | Report comment
RESULT: Sonny Bill Williams defeated Francois Botha
Scorecards: 97-91, 98-90, 97-91
Not sure it was that one-sided. Very easy win on the scorecards, but Sonny Bill Williams was very, very close to not lasting the 10 rounds. He was out on his feet.
Plenty of boos in the crowd about the result, and rightly so. Simply wasn’t like that. Botha geeing up the crowd and they are responding, he is a likeable chap this White Buffalo: “according to me, I won”.
10:34pm
Johnno said | 10:34pm | Report comment
How the hell has SBW won a world title what the . Botha won that fight, and that was only a 10 round fight not a 12 round fight, i thought you gotta fight 12 rounds to get a world title. Boos and deserved,
10:36pm
Erina said | 10:36pm | Report comment
They knew SBW will be knocked out by then, it is fixed, how can you change 12 rounds to 10 rounds ??????
10:39pm
Johnno said | 10:39pm | Report comment
Erina exactly, I take my hat off to Botha. In his prime he fought tyson when tyson was still fighting for world titles , and was one of the best fighters in the world. The ref saved him, having it cut to 10 rounds, I have alot of respect for SBW, a coward and he knows it. Outboxed.
12:42am
Amanda said | 12:42am | Report comment
The ref did’nt know what he was doing. He had no control over this fight!
Very bad for boxing.
Who arrange this ref
10:51pm
Gerhard said | 10:51pm | Report comment
Reduced to 10 rounds and the 15 sec’s rest saved SBW ass. He was a walking gost.Total gonner! You have a lot of homework to do “Sonny boy”
10:39pm
Lee said | 10:39pm | Report comment
Boos all round
10:32pm
peeeko said | 10:32pm | Report comment
what happened to 12 rounds? he was gone for sure, some one explain to me that it wasnt changed
10:35pm
Redx said | 10:35pm | Report comment
Clause in the fight contact for SBW. If he bloodies my nose cut it to 10.
10:35pm
atlas said | 10:35pm | Report comment
no complain or surprise from Botha, was there?
10:32pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:32pm | Report comment
Williams dominated many rounds, but Botha came out hard in the later rounds and would have won that last round 10-8 after the deduction.
Who wins, guys?
10:34pm
seiran said | 10:34pm | Report comment
Botha should have won that. SBW was on the ropes and spent more time hugging Botha than doing anything else.
10:32pm
Johnno said | 10:32pm | Report comment
The ref saved SBW he gave him 15 seconds of rest. SBW was being destroyed.
10:32pm
Chris said | 10:32pm | Report comment
Could I be so cynical as to suggest the fight was only changed to 10 Rounds AFTER it was clear SBW couldn’t make 12?
10:32pm
Bruza said | 10:32pm | Report comment
Lol that would be right
10:33pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:33pm | Report comment
It could definitely be possible. They wouldn’t have expected to go 10 I think.
10:33pm
atlas said | 10:33pm | Report comment
if so
why no protest from Botha or his management then
????
SBW won
7:20am
Red Kev said | 7:20am | Report comment
According to World Boxing News Botha will be lodging an official protest and an investigation is likely to happen. I wouldn’t be surprised to see SBW stripped of that belt.
11:26am
James said | 11:26am | Report comment
I think it is almost guaranteed that he will lose his belt. WBA rules state that all matches have to be 12 rounds.
Actually, they state that “All sanctioned bouts shall be scheduled for twelve (12) rounds.” So given it was scheduled for 12 rounds perhaps that is fine that it only went for 10 rounds.
10:12am
Joe Mundine said | 10:12am | Report comment
That’s not being cynical it’s factual. Round 9 SBW gets seriously hurt and is shaky. Someone from his corner goes to the referee at the bell who announces “final round” – everyone is stunned including judges (said they expected a 12 rounder when interviewed afterwards). During 10th round SBW is KO’d on his feet, and the referee announces “90s to go” knocking almost half a minute off the final round!!!
10:31pm
atlas said | 10:31pm | Report comment
at least the crowd got a reasonable fight after past fights of this kind
less of a joke than expected
commenttaors suggesting sbw won?
10:34pm
Jason said | 10:34pm | Report comment
Sonny bill eastern suburbs roosters Williams
10:31pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:31pm | Report comment
END ROUND TEN: And the 12-round fight somehow finishes after 10 rounds. Hmm. Somehow Sonny Bill WIlliams holds on until the bell, he was absolutely out on his feet there. In the end, that one-point deduction probably saved Williams, giving him 10 seconds of respite.
10:32pm
Zac Zavos said | 10:32pm | Report comment
Enjoyable call Chad.
10:30pm
Blu said | 10:30pm | Report comment
Come on sbw get him stuff the critics there just haters
10:30pm
Erina said | 10:30pm | Report comment
COME ONE FRANCOIS !!!!! KNOCK HIM OUT !
10:29pm
Jared said | 10:29pm | Report comment
Really appreciate your updates. Cheers.
10:29pm
atlas said | 10:29pm | Report comment
sbw – out on his feet
30sec to go
10:31pm
Bruza said | 10:31pm | Report comment
Knock SBW out
10:29pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:29pm | Report comment
ROUND TEN: WIlliams docked a point for “too many holds”! Crazy stuff – can Williams hold on until the bell?
10:30pm
Bazzio said | 10:30pm | Report comment
he’ll get docked more!!
10:29pm
Johnno said | 10:29pm | Report comment
The ref saved SBW.
10:28pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:28pm | Report comment
ROUND TEN: According to the commentators this will be the last round. Botha trying to get after Williams, he cracks him as Williams walks into one!
Williams looks gone!!!
10:28pm
Bokkie said | 10:28pm | Report comment
Knock him out one time!
10:28pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:28pm | Report comment
ROUND TEN: It is the 27yo beginning to tire! Beginning to hold on now.
10:27pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:27pm | Report comment
Wait, what? The announcer has just said the ’10th and final’? It’s 12!
10:29pm
Bruza said | 10:29pm | Report comment
What
10:26pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:26pm | Report comment
END ROUND NINE: After getting docked a point, Botha flies at Williams and lands two big ones! This fight is well and truly on now! With the point deduction, that should be 9-9 the way Botha finished that.
10:27pm
Bazzio said | 10:27pm | Report comment
Botha ruffling some feathers, methinks
10:26pm
atlas said | 10:26pm | Report comment
a point deducted from botha
that’s twice botha hit sbw while ref was between them (lucky he’s a short ref or he’ have copped the first one in the ear)
watching the replay – bloody cheat botha – well after ref went in between and sbw arms down
10:25pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:25pm | Report comment
ROUND NINE: Fight bubbling into life now!! Botha trying to get after Williams now, he knows he is behind!
And now Botha is docked a point!!! Punches Williams as the referee separates them!!
10:25pm
Johnno said | 10:25pm | Report comment
SBW get’s cracked. 2 big hits. Botha lucky not to be disqaulified .
Let’s remembers who Botha was. he was a man who fought Mike Tyson, whebn Tyson was still a world class fighter fighting for world titles.
SBW is so lacking experience, if SBW fought Klitschko now I would fear for his life.
10:27pm
Bruza said | 10:27pm | Report comment
Johnson leave him alone he can’t do no right in your eyes
10:31pm
Johnno said | 10:31pm | Report comment
I wrapped Botha, in his prime he was world class, and in the final round Botha destroyed SBW, I take my hat off to the man, he is a world class fighter Botha,.
10:33pm
Jake said | 10:33pm | Report comment
Johnno
10 minutes ago you were saying how unfair this fight was as Sonny looked the better boxer. Now after momentum has changed, you are going the other way…
10:24pm
matt said | 10:24pm | Report comment
chad, whats your score so far?
10:24pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:24pm | Report comment
ROUND NINE: Williams is on top here, and he knows it. Been a very, very disciplined effort from him and he is the one on top now. Botha is trying to get after him but he’s managed nothing yet.
10:22pm
Johnno said | 10:22pm | Report comment
Botha loves those double slaps lol.
10:23pm
Bazzio said | 10:23pm | Report comment
Boy fights man
10:22pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:22pm | Report comment
END ROUND EIGHT: Wow, this fight is close. Really, really difficult to call some of these last few rounds. Botha was probably hitting the better, Williams far more proactive but he is mainly getting glove.
10:21pm
Bokkie said | 10:21pm | Report comment
Comeon Buffulao
Do it for Madiba
10:21pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:21pm | Report comment
ROUND EIGHT: I must say, when I saw the price offered on ‘Under 9.5 rounds’ earlier I thought it was a mistake – no way could this fight last the distance. But Botha has been immense in standing tall so far. Could this actually go 12 rounds?
10:19pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:19pm | Report comment
ROUND EIGHT: Sonny Bill keeping the aggression up. Intelligent, controlled fighting from Williams but he must make sure that he lands enough scoring punches to win this fight.
10:19pm
Rowena said | 10:19pm | Report comment
End of round seven, SBW keep grabbing him and holding on. Does he lose points for this because it’s really annoying to watch and just makes us feel like it’s a stalling tactic so Botha can’t get in.
10:22pm
Bruza said | 10:22pm | Report comment
SBW lost my respect the day he walked out on NRL and his young fans
10:23pm
Bazzio said | 10:23pm | Report comment
Boxers do it when they’re in trouble
10:18pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:18pm | Report comment
END ROUND SEVEN: Engrossing fight, if not spectacular. Both fighters seemed to throw equal amount of punches, but I’d nearly have to give it to Botha again. His punches are far more effective.
10:17pm
Johnno said | 10:17pm | Report comment
Love Botha’s double ear punch in the wrestle , hillarious stuff lol. it’s all he’s got.
10:16pm
j said | 10:16pm | Report comment
so who is winning?
10:16pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:16pm | Report comment
ROUND SEVEN: Botha landing the cleaner punches! Williams is trying, as he has been for long periods of this fight, to work Botha but it just simply hasn’t happened on a regular basis as yet.
10:16pm
Erina said | 10:16pm | Report comment
Francois is a great fighter, eveyrone just remember that !! WIN or LOOSE !!!
10:18pm
Bruza said | 10:18pm | Report comment
I want SBW to go down
10:15pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:15pm | Report comment
END ROUND SIX: Botha went for it that round but he wasn’t able to ever get the upper hand, and it is sure to have taken a lot out of his. Difficult round to call, because neither fighter landed much of anything – but maybe Botha? Just.
10:13pm
matt said | 10:13pm | Report comment
How is sonny bill williams PPV and superfeather weight world champion Wild Will Tomlinson is not?
10:42pm
Jake said | 10:42pm | Report comment
It’s all about selling PPV Matt. Average Joe will pay to watch SBW, they wouldn’t for the other bloke.
10:12pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:12pm | Report comment
ROUND SIX: Botha still probably the more aggressive, he is defying his age so far. Whether he can do so in the final six rounds is highly debatable.
10:14pm
Zac Zavos said | 10:14pm | Report comment
Enjoying the call Chad. What’s your card reading?
10:18pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:18pm | Report comment
Difficult to say with a few of these last rounds, but it I stick with the 10-10 in the first I’d have it 77-77. Botha has worked back into this.
10:11pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:11pm | Report comment
ROUND SIX: Not sure how much is in Williams’ arsenal. He is getting the jab going and trying to set up the big right, but as yet he hasn’t troubled Botha.
10:10pm
Johnno said | 10:10pm | Report comment
SBW is toying with Botha. Botha is so slow. He is a punching bag.
10:12pm
Bruza said | 10:12pm | Report comment
His fighting a 44 year old
10:10pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:10pm | Report comment
END ROUND FIVE: Looked like Botha’s round for 2:55 there, Williams throws a couple to finish the round off after walking into one late in the round. 10-9 Botha.
10:08pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:08pm | Report comment
ROUND FIVE: WIlliams seems to have gone into his shell a bit, and it’s Botha who has the initiative in the final 30 seconds of round five.
10:10pm
Bruza said | 10:10pm | Report comment
Smash him Botha
10:11pm
Cantab said | 10:11pm | Report comment
48-47 to SBW?
10:14pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:14pm | Report comment
Mmm something lose to the mark, I have Sonny Bill slightly ahead.
10:08pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:08pm | Report comment
ROUND FIVE: Pretty uneventful minute and a half to begin this one. Botha trying to attack Williams but simply isn’t quick enough.
10:07pm
matt said | 10:07pm | Report comment
This fight was always going to be a joke. SBW is not a PPV fighter!
10:06pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:06pm | Report comment
END ROUND FOUR: WIlliams lands a nice combination to finish the round. Difficult to call, but I’d say Williams will again take that one. Botha is tiring – but to be fair, it hasn’t affected his workrate as yet.
10:04pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:04pm | Report comment
ROUND FOUR: Sonny Bill jacking up the intensity again, and forces Botha against the ropes – again can’t land anything clean enough.
10:03pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:03pm | Report comment
ROUND FOUR: Botha is tiring, but he is still smart enough to be able to evade Williams, who has been a little loose.
10:01pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:01pm | Report comment
END ROUND THREE: Ending the third, Sonny Bill looks nearly ready to seize upon Botha and again tries to dominate with the jab. He’ll take that one 10-9 again. Botha survives until the bell and will appreciate the break. The longer this fight goes on, the harder it will become for Botha.
10:00pm
Chad Bennett said | 10:00pm | Report comment
ROUND THREE: Botha troubles Sonny Bill only momentarily, though. Stating the obvious sure, but Sonny Bill is far, far the better athlete and it is beginning to show now. Can Sonny Bill land one anytime soon? You wouldn’t expect that it will be met with much resistance, the longer this fight goes on.
10:03pm
The Grafter said | 10:03pm | Report comment
Chad, great blog mate but could you refer to each by their surnames, Bortha & Williams.
Thanks mate
10:08pm
Jake said | 10:08pm | Report comment
You couldn’t work out that Sonny Bill is Williams?!?
10:09pm
Ron said | 10:09pm | Report comment
Dude give the bloke a break. It’s a great blog and free, if you don’t know who is who from the commentary try the radio.
10:09pm
Matty said | 10:09pm | Report comment
Why? I’m fine with SBW
10:11pm
Jake said | 10:11pm | Report comment
It’s Botha, not Bortha.
9:59pm
Johnno said | 9:59pm | Report comment
Botha looks like he is gonna have a heart attack, he looks exhausted.
9:58pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:58pm | Report comment
ROUND THREE: Botha opens the round with one that catches SBW slightly off guard, just to remind him where he is.
9:58pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:58pm | Report comment
END ROUND TWO: SBW gets the jab going just before the end there! That will be the end of second round, Sonny Bill should take that one 10-9, I’d almost certainly say. Definitely getting more active getting into the third.
9:56pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:56pm | Report comment
ROUND TWO: Starting to develop into a more engaging fight now. Sonny Bill is starting to relax and try and land scoring punches. If he cotninues to work Botha he will end up getting him.
9:55pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:55pm | Report comment
ROUND TWO: Little bit of claret coming from Botha, possible on the bridge of his nose, not a massive amount of blood though.
9:54pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:54pm | Report comment
ROUND TWO: Into the second. Still waiting for either fight to try and assert themselves on this contest…
9:53pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:53pm | Report comment
END FIRST ROUND: Hmm. Pretty difficult to score that one – maybe even a 10-10? Sonny Bill trying to establish his jab a few times with mixed success.
9:53pm
Johnno said | 9:53pm | Report comment
This fight feels dodgy. SBW is so much fitter, taller, than Botha.
Botha was a good fighter in his day, but wow is he is fat old and slow. I hope this fight is not fixed.
10:04pm
Red Kev said | 10:04pm | Report comment
I thought all boxing matches outside the amateur ranks were fixed. They pick an opponent who can’t win – Nasser did his job for both SBW and QC – no danger to either.
10:12pm
Erina said | 10:12pm | Report comment
Francois is not fat old an slow, why dont you go an try it. He is stil a great fighter !!!!!!!!!!
10:21pm
Johnno said | 10:21pm | Report comment
Erina hardly great lol, im sure the Klitschko brothers are shaking there boots with fear and sleepless nights by a 44 yr old version of Botha.
9:53pm
Nicko said | 9:53pm | Report comment
Can someone please provide a ‘legitimate’ web link to watch this fight on, one that actually works PLEASE
10:10pm
Brendo said | 10:10pm | Report comment
http://www.vipboxsports.me/boxing/131939/1/sonny-bill-williams-vs-francios-botha-ppv-free-live-stream-online.html
9:52pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:52pm | Report comment
ROUND ONE: Into the final minute, save for a few jabs either side we haven’t seen much so far. SBW the more active.
Botha has him inside up against the ropes, Sonny Bill evades it.
9:51pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:51pm | Report comment
ROUND ONE: Botha dictating the fight in the first minute or so. Neither fighter has landed anything so far, though.
9:50pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:50pm | Report comment
ROUND ONE: Very cagey opening so far, Sonny Bill looks somewhat tentative.
9:49pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:49pm | Report comment
ROUND ONE: It’s on!
9:48pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:48pm | Report comment
Introductions now. Botha’s physique certainly isn’t hiding any of the South African’s 44 years.
9:47pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:47pm | Report comment
And from one of the most awkward entrances ever, to one of the best! Francois “White Buffalo” Botha rolls in to none other than Bob Marley’s ‘Buffalo Soldier’! Love it! Not sure how the crowd seem to be enjoying it though…
9:45pm
atlas said | 9:45pm | Report comment
commentator says
“needs no introduction . . . Sonny BOY Williams”
Really?
9:45pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:45pm | Report comment
Yeah, what?
9:48pm
Red Kev said | 9:48pm | Report comment
Still better than Channel 9′s SBW OMG ads.
9:50pm
atlas said | 9:50pm | Report comment
he’s Sonny BOY again . . . and now, as well, ‘the pride of New Zealand’
again . . . really?
9:44pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:44pm | Report comment
Sonny Bill rolling out to….no music?? This could possibly be the strangest, most low-key entrance I’ve ever witnessed. A semi-hush from the crowd as he comes out…
9:43pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:43pm | Report comment
And we’re good to go – announcer in the ring. It will be Sonny Bill on the way out first..
9:41pm
julie said | 9:41pm | Report comment
How do u live stream on ur mobile
9:45pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:45pm | Report comment
Not sure it is possible with streams Julie, only things like NBA League pass seem to stream on smart phones.
9:38pm
Johnno said | 9:38pm | Report comment
Quade has natural boxing ability but is so raw, which can be expected it was his first fight. He sure needs to work on his defence, a fighter like Dan Geale or Danny Green, or Atonio Tarver, or Anthony Mundine would eat Qaude Cooper alive and knock him out in the 1st round, too many gaps in his defence. But a natrual co-ordination and natural punching power Quade has, but wow he has to work on his defence.
9:39pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:39pm | Report comment
Definitely – but plenty of potential there I thought – super quick.
9:37pm
Perth Gavin said | 9:37pm | Report comment
Bring on Mcaw vs Cooper boxing grudge match!!
9:35pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:35pm | Report comment
Still probably another 15 minute away at this point. Any bold predictions? Definitely have got to respect the record of Botha – but at 44? Sonny Bill gets it done tonight in four rounds.
9:30pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:30pm | Report comment
Very impressive debut from Quade Cooper, knocking out Barry Dunnett in the first round. We could definitely being seeing Quade doing more of this in the future. As on the rugby field, Cooper set up by lightning-quick footwork.
9:17pm
Suzy said | 9:17pm | Report comment
Wish I could see this live
9:23pm
Cantab said | 9:23pm | Report comment
Live stream it.
9:16pm
Chad Bennett said | 9:16pm | Report comment
Cooper has knocked him out! We should be about 20-30 minutes away from a start.
9:15pm
Zac Zavos said | 9:15pm | Report comment
Quade Cooper Blog and updates here: http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/08/quade-cooper-vs-barry-dunnett-boxing-live-scores-blog/
8:33pm
atlas said | 8:33pm | Report comment
Heavyweight – Alex Leapai v Matt Hicks – lasted about 2min Leapai won that one
was being streamed here but just cut out . . . aaagh
maybe will be back!
http://www.vipboxsports.me/boxing/131939/1/sonny-bill-williams-vs-francios-botha-ppv-free-live-stream-online.html
9:14pm
Brendo said | 9:14pm | Report comment
working. what a joke that was. how does this guy expect people to have any kind of respect for him?
9:21pm
Cantab said | 9:21pm | Report comment
Working for me on. Boxingguru.eu/gurutv1.html
8:32pm
Chad Bennett said | 8:32pm | Report comment
Good evening and happy Friday. Tonight sport returns back from the front page to the back as two of Australia’s biggest sporting stars step into the ring.
We’re currently in the fourth of a six-round card, and Quade Cooper is up next – you can check the updates here.