NEWS:BOXING ALL Black Sonny Bill Williams had surgery on a pectoral injury yesterday, which looks likely to delay his return to Japanese rugby and force the postponement of his next fight.
He injured his shoulder and chest after a tackle in Japanese Top League club Panasonic’s 23-20 win over Kintetsu Liners on Saturday and was rushed to hospital for an MRI scan.
His Panasonic Wild Knights club said they were discussing a rehabilitation schedule for the 27-year-old but were not sure when he would return to Japan from Australia.
“It has not been decided where and what kind of rehab programme he will undergo,” said team manager Seigo Ikeda said. “We want to work out those details quickly obviously.”
Williams wrote on his Twitter page: “Just spoke to the doctor operation went well, Thanks for the support I’ve truly been blessed.”
Also New Zealand’s heavyweight boxing champion, Williams flew to Sydney on Tuesday to prepare for his November 24th bout with 44-year-old Francois Botha in Brisbane.
However, Williams now faces up to two months out, which would leave little option but to postpone the fight, while his return to Japanese rugby could also be in doubt.
Williams left the world champion All Blacks and Waikato Chiefs for a lucrative 12-match deal in Japan worth an estimated $100,000 a game.
The injury could spell a premature end to his Japanese season with Panasonic having seen little return halfway through their investment. Williams is expected to quit union and return to rugby league with Sydney Roosters next year.
