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Sonny Bill Williams. (Mark Kolbe / Getty Images)
Double Code Superstar Sonny bill williams He announced his retirement from rugby on Thursday, but the New Zealander is not giving up the sport and says he wants to focus on his boxing career.
Williams, 35, a two-time Rugby World Cup winner, confirmed that he would no longer play rugby league for Australia’s National Rugby League team, the Sydney Roosters.
“A big thank you to the public and the fans for all the support over the years. To my many teammates, thank you for the lessons and help along the way.” tweeted.
“It wasn’t a perfect trip, but the lessons have helped me become the man I’m proud to be off the field today.”
Williams won World Cups in 2011 and 2015 with the All Blacks, as well as numerous Bledisloe Cup titles against Australia and Rugby Championships.
He also won NRL prime minister titles in 2004 and 2013, represented New Zealand in rugby to seven at the 2016 Olympics and won all seven of his professional heavyweight boxing bouts.
In rugby union, Williams played center and was known for his miraculous one-handed shocks and fierce tackles, as well as earning a reputation as one of the sport’s most dedicated coaches.
Outside the camp, the devout Muslim used his profile to speak about causes such as refugee welfare and cultural tolerance.
Last year, former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen rated Williams the best athlete he had ever worked with.
“The best athlete I’ve ever trained from a pure athlete sense, he’s a freak of nature,” he said at the time.
A huge thank you to the audience and fans for all the support over the years. To my many teammates, thank you for the lessons and help along the way. It was not a perfect trip
But the lessons have helped me become the man I’m proud to be off the field today. #Alhamdullilah ?????? pic.twitter.com/aECnrTYCJs– Sonny Bill Williams (@SonnyBWilliams) March 11, 2021
‘King Offlead’
World Rugby celebrated “an incredible multi-sport career” after Williams’ announcement and the All Blacks also paid tribute to the 58-round veteran.
“Download King. Thank you for all you’ve given New Zealand rugby and fans around the world, @SonnyBWilliams. Enjoy retirement use (brother).” the team tweeted.
Williams said that retiring from team sports would allow him to better prepare for his boxing matches, giving him up to six months to train, instead of six weeks.
“I talked to my manager, I said ‘Brother, I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring, I’m a couple of years old, I’m 35,'” he told Australia’s channel nine.
“I spoke to the wife first and she had her eyes rolled but, as usual, she supported me.”
Williams last fought in 2015 against American official Chauncy Welliver and the highlight of his boxing career was when he knocked out Clarence Tillman for the New Zealand heavyweight belt in 2012.
He is now based in Sydney and a fight against former Cronulla Sharks enforcer Paul Gallen would generate a lot of interest in Australia, although Gallen insisted on Thursday he had “bigger fish to fry.
Williams’ handlers reportedly tried to stage a fight with Mike Tyson last year, but the American refused, saying it would be “an insult to boxing” and that he would only face “a real boxer.”
Aside from boxing, Roosters coach Trent Robinson said Williams would work with the NRL team off the field, possibly with a view to becoming a coach.
“He definitely has the tools to be a coach, he has a presence, he has a deep understanding of the game and an insight into the game,” he said.
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