Sonny Bill Williams has succeeded in his International WBA Heavyweight title fight against Francois Botha in controversial circumstances, after the title fight appeared to be shortened from 12 round to 10.
Williams won the bout by unanimous decision (97-91, 98-9 4, 97-91) and dominated the fight early, but tired heavily in the final two rounds against a man 17 years his senior.
The lopsided scoreline was a curious one given that the 44-year-old South African finished the fight far stronger.
But the talking point out of this one will be what happened outside instead of inside ring.
From midway through the ninth round Williams had begun to hold on noticeably, and by the end of the ninth was beginning to display the hallmarks of a boxer going toward the distance for the fist time.
When the 10th round begun the announcement proclaimed it the ’10th and final’ round, and confusion snowballed as he reiterated the statement halfway through the round.
Williams stumbled to the bell under siege, assisted by the short break he received late in the round when the referee docked Williams a point for holding on excessively.
After possibly the most drama-filled week in Australian sporting history, the outcome of the fight is certain to receive intense scrutiny in the coming days.
Earlier on in the evening, Queensland Reds star Quade Cooper made a highly impressive professional debut, knocking out Barry Dunnett in the first round.
Cooper showed promising in his first fight, but only fast footwork saved what was poor defensive technique and he was tagged by Dunnett early in the round.
But a ripping left-uppercut flipped the momentum in an instant, felling Dunnett and soon moving in with a glancing right that was enough to send his opponent to the canvas for a second time, ending the fight seconds before the end of the first.
Cantab
Guest
Alan Moore VP of the Australian boxing Fed and a judge for tonight's fight -"When the ring announcer said over the loud speaker that it was the last round, that's the first I had heard of any change"
Cantab
Guest
http://m.news24.com/sport24/OtherSport/Controversy-sullies-SBW-win-20130208 Claims Botha was told for the first time at the end of the 9th that it was being cut short to 10.
Cantab
Guest
Yip, bet365 have already refunded me my doe.
Cantab
Guest
Had $100 on Botha, bet365 have refunded my bet as the fight didn't run its full length. Davis - you could also say that SBW was lucky not to get disqualified for extra holding.
Seriously, Who says Oi?
Guest
"and deserved the WBA International Heavyweight Title." Are you this guy's boyfriend or something?
Hein
Guest
Was bryce lawrence there? Aussies dont like the power of the Boer...
TJ
Guest
All true. Doesn't help when the blatant corruption isn't even mentioned in the report in the Herald. No mention what so ever as to the shortening of the fight: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/next-stop-bondi-as-sbw-claims-controversial-win-20130208-2e4j2.html
TJ
Guest
Any idea why this article doesn't mention the shortening of the fight, and seems to gloss over the fact that SBW was almost unconscious on Botha's shoulder? Odd from a reputable source: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/boxing/next-stop-bondi-as-sbw-claims-controversial-win-20130208-2e4j2.html
ScrumJunkie
Guest
I can't believe these ridiculous fights are allowed to happen, shortening the fight (mid fight) to fix it! How blatant is that? Surely this is the end of the footballer turned fighter craze. If not it will eventually be the end of Aussie boxing. How can SBW show his face after that disgrace. I wonder if refs will start calling roosters games early this year, if they get their nose in front.
Steve
Guest
I didn't think 'the magnificent ringcraft of Barry Dunnett' was subtle, as far as sarcasm goes, but never mind. Dan, hear me out: I'm not out of my mind, but I think putting SBW or QC against an actual fighter might just be what we need to put an end to this sorry circus of grade A w*nkers making a mockery of boxing. Would you, or would you not thoroughly enjoy all 28 seconds of a televised match up between either of the rugby prima-donnas and either of the Klitschko brothers?
Travis
Guest
SBW what a embarrassment. You actually thought you won. The old timer schooled you. If you were a real champion, you would have said, "No I don't deserve this belt, but the white buffalo does." Mate it was obvious from the get go, your not a boxer. Your a rugby league/union player. From what I saw, I will never pay for 'Main Event' for your fights again. Bro I'm a Maori and I felt ashamed. Be a champion and tell the world you lost. It was obvious. You no it.
jason8
Guest
was glued to my TV here in Cape Town watching this one.... First off the fight being shortened to 10 rounds is well nothing short of ridiculous but i must say i was surprised at the way Botha stuck around, and as it became obvious that SBW couldnt off load a killer punch or use his speed he became more and more vulnerable. SBW was much improved though and i can still see a future for him in boxing because although he got a bit of a lesson in some some respects - maybe he shoulda gone for the BIG right a little earlier and been more aggressive... maybe a touch too much respect from SBW ?? Fun stuff tho !!
Paulie
Guest
Well said. They are taking the total piss and not even being subtle about it. I can watch WWF for free.
Bear
Guest
He fought a man old enough to be his father, who has lost 4 of his last five fights. If SBW can't put him away he needs to retire tonite. Very ordinary.
Dan
Guest
Klitschko?? Are you out of your mind? 6 wins, 5 against minnows and one in a two-round shortened-match against a 44 yr old, gives SBW the right to fight someone the likes of Klitchko? You know nothing about boxing.
Johnno
Guest
And i loved Botha's double slaps on the ear all fight , so funny.
Johnno
Guest
I meant's Botha wasn't sacred of Mike Tyson, says the type of man and character, who SBW ran into tonight. Even at 44 he could, rumble with a an athletic 27 yr old in the prime of his life.
Johnno
Guest
Here is Mike Tyson VS Botha , and wow Botha is in a different level to SBW. After watching tonight's fight, and watching tyson VS Botha, wow SBW has no chance to win a real world title. Tyson hits so much harrder than SBW, and is so much faster and co-oridnated in his punches. Botha wasn't super fast then either , but as the commentators said in this fight, is so cagey and take a punch, and can hit hard too, and moves well in this fight too. Botha really pushed Tyson hard for 5 rounds, and Botha is really confontainal like vs SBW just keeps coming at you. Botha was scared of Tyson says the type of man, SBW was fighting tonight. Tyson knocks him out in the 5th with a punch , but wow Botha has a hard chin, and dished out some hard hits on Tyson. My advice to SBW, watch a fight like this, and wake up you have no chance in the world of Boxing you started to late in your career, Botha was a real hard man in his day up there with the best of his generation, not the best but top 5 in the world . He has fought Tyson, Lennox lewis, Holyfield, and one of the Klitschko brothers. This was a very fiery and physical fight Tyson VS Botha entertaining. Botha is a genuine hard man, no question. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3C3BxYwhzQ4
Ian Carpenter
Guest
Sunny Bill showed courage throughout the fight....BUT.....he should hang his head in shame for allowing the fight to be shortened the way it was. Blatently illegal and corrept. If he accepts the decision that he won, then it just supports the lack of moral fibre he showed when he slunk out in the cover of darkness on Canterbury a couple of years ago. No honour then about his contractual obligations either.. Get some integrity about you Sunny Bill. You are going to get a reputation as someone who can't be trusted to show any integrity at all !!
Jarrad
Guest
Perfectly summarized.