All Blacks center Sonny Bill Williams maintained an unbeaten start to his professional boxing career when he won an unanimous points decision over Tongan Alipate Liava'a in a six-round heavyweight contest on Sunday.
Williams has now won all four of his professional bouts, though none has been against a recognized opponent. The 43-year-old Liava'a gave 18 years as well as height, reach and weight to the 25-year-old Williams and never seriously challenged his younger rival.
Controversy surrounded the bout when it was revealed that Liava'a, who hopes to embark on a professional career as a gospel singer, is receiving a disability pension for an elbow injury.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry was at ringside and said he was happy that Williams, a likely member of his World Cup squad, ''hardly got hit.''
