VIDEO: Sonny Bill Williams wins by decision against Francois Botha

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HIGHLIGHTS: Williams wins controversial bout

3News NZ

Sonny Bill Williams wins the belt amidst a huge amount of controversy (AAP)

Sonny Bill Williams wins the belt amidst a huge amount of controversy (AAP)

Boos drowned out Sonny Bill Williams despite the code hopper technically claiming the biggest scalp in his fledgling boxing career in Brisbane on Friday night.

The fight appeared to be cut short, with the commentators also in the dark expecting a 12 round fight, yet the referee calling the fight over after 10 rounds - with Williams hanging on for dear life and looking like he'd be knocked out with ease should the fight have gone across the expected 12 rounds.

Former All Black Williams (6-0) somehow emerged a unanimous points winner in his WBA international heavyweight title fight with Francois Botha (48-9) despite appearing to have been trampled by the South African bruiser dubbed The White Buffalo.

Botha, 44, showed all the experience that had led him to world title fights with boxing's who's who, including the likes of Lennox Lewis, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

Yet despite battering Williams throughout their 10-round bout, Botha suffered the ninth loss in his 60 pro fights - much to the disgust of the packed Brisbane Entertainment Centre crowd.

Williams, 27, was almost booed out of the ring after officials somehow awarded the fight to the Sydney Roosters NRL star 97-91, 98-94 and 97-91.

Williams had threatened to give up the sport if he was knocked out by Botha.

But it appears Williams' boxing options are limited despite somehow emerging triumphant from his "victory" over the hard-hitting Botha.

3 News/NZN

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Comments

10/02/2013 8:10:52 a.m.

katubaldy wrote:

Not a great moment in kiwi boxing. The promoters and SBW's surely didn't think they were going to get away with this farce? The guy was a 44 year old palooka who did reasonably well for himself, but if you're struggling to hit a stationary target and grappling is your only alternative strategy, it might pay to just stick with the rugby codes ay?

10/02/2013 1:03:44 a.m.

Tino wrote:

Funny how they cut it down to 10 rounds when SBW was tired and then if you watch the replay the ref raises his hand before they announce who had won #donkingpromotions

9/02/2013 2:06:25 p.m.

craig wrote:

sbw is a joke and should never box agian

9/02/2013 1:58:24 p.m.

Chris wrote:

What a joke, the referee was poor throughout. Sonny Bill constantly holding, Botha illegal punching but what the hell was going on with the 2 round reduction. WBA international bout rules very clear - 12 x 3 minute rounds. Go back to glory hunting rugby mate, you ain't no boxer!

9/02/2013 1:06:16 p.m.

Chantel Tapiata wrote:

This was such BS! Boxing is so corrupt! SBW might as well start doping to go with the major match fixing involved! What a joke...

9/02/2013 12:49:06 p.m.

Bolo Lou Kama wrote:

That fight was a load of rubbish. If it was a bear hugging contest then sonny bill stole my heart. Other than that, Botha was robbed.

9/02/2013 12:18:37 p.m.

Sal wrote:

SBW deserved the win...The White Goat did not! The White Goat was consistent in his breaching the rules landing punches after the referees intervention & got many a cheap shot on SBW as a result. The Whrte Goat deserved to lose!

9/02/2013 11:21:52 a.m.

Paul wrote:

The so called purist sport dragged into disrepute by the Sonny Bill fight. What a sham!

9/02/2013 11:08:25 a.m.

glen wrote:

Can somebody explain why did they cut the fight by 2 rounds

9/02/2013 11:08:11 a.m.

Xavier wrote:

RIGGED. Not even subtly. First time in the History of Boxing that anyone has seen the round count reduced during a fight. Obviously the plan for SBW's camp was to go the distance and let the "friendly" (read pre-purchased) judges do the rest. Unfortunately, an old, slow Botha is still more dangerous than a novice SBW and didn't stick to the script. SBW was in trouble in the 9th, his corner gives the special wink and like magic the 12 round fight becomes a 10 rounder. What an absolute farce. And yet even then he was KO on his feet in the 10th and held on to Botha for dear life. The sanctioning body will have to declare it a No Contest if they want to retain any credibility. TAB will give you a refund if you ask for it - they will want no part of this sham. At least we can actually agree with SBW's tweet last week that boxing is Corrupt. If he has any honour/integrity he will retire after being KO'd as promised... but with Nasser and Mundine behind him that ain't gonna happen...