The New Zealand superstar also made a career in rugby sevens, but suffered a serious injury in New Zealand’s first game at the Rio Olympics in 2016.
Former All Blacks manager Steve Hansen last year claimed Williams was the best player he had ever worked with, saying “ on a sporting level, he is a monster of nature “.
From rugby to boxing
The All Blacks also paid tribute to this icon of New Zealand rugby, who has a hundred selections accumulated at VII, XIII and XV.
“Thank you for everything you have given to New Zealand rugby and fans around the world, @SonnyBWilliams. Enjoy your retirement, brother.”, tweeted the federation.
Williams explained that he no longer wanted to do team sport in order to devote himself to his boxing career, he who held the title of heavyweight champion of New Zealand.
So far, the Auckland native has won his seven fights between 2009 and 2015 among the pros.
“I spoke to my manager and I told him: my brother, I want to get back in the ring, I have a few years ahead of me, I am 35 years old”, he told Australian channel Channel Nine.
In Toulon, he had already put on the gloves …
