Growing up something of a sports nut involved switching the sport I played most every 6 months with the result that I reached the dizzy heights of average in some sports while dismally failing to in others.
Currently I have a hopefully not too short lived obsession with bowling of the ten pin variety and though I view it as my second last chance to become a professional ( darts being my last ) I'm no more than average and some might argue a little below that marker. Anyhow I digress Sonny Bill Williams incessant code hopping may wind purists of his various sports up to a potentially unhealthy level but to me its magnificent given the difficulty involved in balancing his commitments and his successes in the face of the challenges offered by his respective sports.
It's true that there are plenty of other dual sports stars today with boxing often being a common denominator however few if any have done so by juggling current commitments in the manner Sonny seems to have managed while also emerging with the successes he would have targeted. His value to sport can be seen in the deals he has been able to negotiate with what are normally quite pernickity employers. Take for example his relationship with the NZRU, a conservative union who have steadfastly refused to show flexibility towards allowing their internationals play club rugby outside of New Zealand with the logical exception of Dan Carter who was given a six month sabbatical in France with Perpignan. Sonny Bill's experience flies in the face of that experienced by other players. Firstly he was given his international debut having only played in the ITM cup as opposed to the higher stand of Super Rugby reserved for most debutants. Secondly his contract with the Union allowed him two professional boxing fights per annum a brave decision given the injuries which can be suffered in boxing. Finally based on the preferences expressed by the player he seems to have a verbal which would allow him a pathway back to the All Blacks jersey prior to the 2015 World cup. His dealings with the NRL are just as fascinating when one considers the cloud under which he left the sport previously (abandoned a signed 5 year contract with Canterbury Bulldogs to play in the Top 14 in France with Toulon). His current deal a one year contract signed because of a handshake agreement three years ago comes off the back of a 12 week cash rich spell in Japan something other NRL players like Benji Marshall have tried but failed to negotiate with the NRL. Add in the very honest lack of enthusiasm shown by Sonny towards the sport of Rugby League in the press conference welcoming him to his new club and how both parties agreed to the deal becomes difficult to understand except for the fact that it is Sonny Bill Williams. Whether he opts to try and win the Rugby League World cup with New Zealand in 2013 also appears uncertain currently due to his boxing commitments though this could change.
Boxing the sport he has stuck without throughout the code hopping described above seems to benefit from each of his switches and provided he carries on winning fights will benefit from future switches. Each move boosts his profile in that country or that sport and generally converts to extra Pay Per View TV sales for his bouts. Initially the quality of some of his opponents were described as doormen and not professional boxers in some quarters however his next fight against Francois Botha a man who has faced both Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis is a considerable step up in class and shows that he does have the ambition to face a Klitschko or the equivalent some day. Between now and then Williams will no doubt look for challenges which will create the right legacy. A return to Rugby Union possibly in Europe seems likely however the AFL( Australian Rules Football) may also be an option should he look in other directions. Say it quietly but a couple of seasons as a linebacker in the NFL(American Football) could also provide the type of exposure, sporting challenge and financial reward Williams looks for when deciding on a sporting pursuit. Like him or hate him the next six years should be as interesting as the last.
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