has SBW bulked up too much

[Andrew Walker]

You have no idea Andy.

Botha was quality in his day.

But I wouldn't really expect a toffy softcoq such as yourself to know much at all about the art of boxing anyway.

The tough keyboard hero strikes again

As for the fight time will tell Although you have made no real prediction on it Just come out and bagged mine

[Guest]

Botha is no mug, I trust SBW has prepared well for this fight. He may take some time to acclimate back to league so I'm not expecting big things from him in the early rounds despite the level of fitness he already has doing boxing training.

I have seen him fight in the past but never thought that he was anything special but my brother reckons that Botha is one old school tough nut so hopefully SBW hasn't bitten off more than he can chew.

It depends on what your expectations are going to be on SBW in regards to how long it will take him to hopefully fit in.
Like I have said before SBW will have some top games some good games some average game & at least 1 clanger during the season what order they come out in is anyones guess.

[SConcierge]

Obviously but the point is about the sort of fitness. Being fit is one thing and being match fit is another. With your theory, how would a distance runner, an Olympic hockey player or a Tour de France cyclist go then?

But none of the boys are match fit they will all start rnd1 together, first game for everyone...So what are they doing now getting fit, which is what sonny is doing....the only thing SBW is missing out on is the calls and plays from a forwards point of view whilst not good not super critical either.

[Guest]

You have no idea Andy.

Botha was quality in his day.

But I wouldn't really expect a toffy softcoq such as yourself to know much at all about the art of boxing anyway.

The tough keyboard hero strikes again

As for the fight time will tell Although you have made no real prediction on it Just come out and bagged mine

Tough keyboard hero?.... How so Andy?

I didn't bag your prediction, I was bagging your ridiculous comment that Botha was never a good fighter.

Your opinion on that matter leads me to believe that you probably haven't seen him throw a punch.

P.S If the fight doesn't go the distance, it will because Botha is too ****ed to continue rather than Sonny knocking him out.

So my prediction is SBW to win by points decision.

[Guest]

Filthy - your hypotheticals are weak.

SBW is a League and Union player who has trained for a heavyweight boxing bout (while still playing Union). All sports have endurance, contact and power components, so he'll be in great (appropriate) shape.

Whats weak is that you dont seem to be able to understand that fitness comes in all shapes and sizes. The extreem analogy was made to highlight the point.

[Guest]

Tour de France cyclist would kill it i reckon

Well one of them would anyway! hehehe

[Guest]

But none of the boys are match fit they will all start rnd1 together, first game for everyone...So what are they doing now getting fit, which is what sonny is doing....the only thing SBW is missing out on is the calls and plays from a forwards point of view whilst not good not super critical either.

Ok, let me refrase that... league fit. Thr training for league and boxing are different anyway so to be in training for league 4 months before the season, is mucg better headstart than an individual who isnt. He will take time and again,i predict round 7-8 until you see his at his full effectiveness.

[SConcierge]

Ok, let me refrase that... league fit. Thr training for league and boxing are different anyway so to be in training for league 4 months before the season, is mucg better headstart than an individual who isnt. He will take time and again,i predict round 7-8 until you see his at his full effectiveness.

I think we are splitting hairs here mate, most of the guys will fire rnd 7-8 lets hope he socres a try on debut for you

[Guest]

Ok, let me refrase that... league fit. Thr training for league and boxing are different anyway so to be in training for league 4 months before the season, is mucg better headstart than an individual who isnt. He will take time and again,i predict round 7-8 until you see his at his full effectiveness.

Do you actually want him to succeed Ralph? Seriously I would like to know.

[Guest]

In 2011 SBW fought on a month before playing for the Crusaders, he also fought during a bye that year a month before the final.
The following year he fought a couple of weeks before his Chiefs debut, going on to win the title. He also played 19 Test matches in this time for NZ.

He'll be fine.

[Guest]

Do you actually want him to succeed Ralph? Seriously I would like to know.

No he does not the smelly old fart.

[Andrew Walker]

Tough keyboard hero?.... How so Andy?



I didn't bag your prediction, I was bagging your ridiculous comment that Botha was never a good fighter.

Your opinion on that matter leads me to believe that you probably haven't seen him throw a punch.

P.S If the fight doesn't go the distance, it will because Botha is too ****ed to continue rather than Sonny knocking him out.

So my prediction is SBW to win by points decision.

The personal insults leveled my way for no reason other than you disagreeing with my assesment of the fight Lead me to call you a tough keyboard hero I am not the 1st to experience this from you Nor will I be the last

Personally as a BOXER I didnt rate Botha even in his prime One dimensional fighter Off the top of my head the only heavyweights in the last generation I considered as BOXERS and not just fighters were Holyfield and Lennox Lewis These days Klitschko does a good job of boxing for his size I never ever rated Tyson as a BOXER Fighter yes boxer no There is a difference It showed when he fought those whom I always considered as boxers

Finally surely you do realise that fighters can get KOD because they are to tired too keep going

[Guest]

My take on SBW vs Botha is simple. Previously Sonny has fought bums. I'm not even sure who they all are but he is yet to actually really "box" anyone as far as I know. Please correct me if anyone feels this is wrong.

Botha is old and he may never have been a champion. However, he is a guy that can legitimately refer to himself as a boxer. He has been involved in some big fights and he fought Tyson in 1999 when Tyson was still pretty damn good.

Most NRL players have been fighting bums for cash. Previously SBW has been the same. This is a step up IMO. If he is not on his game Sonny will get punished. However, I think he is taking it very seriously. I think he is supremely fit, strong, agile and skilled. I predict Sonny will knock him out within 4 rounds.

[Guest]

For anyone who is interested here is Lennox Lewis knocking Botha out. It is at about the 6.58 mark. Lewis stuns hims and then bam, bam, bam. good night

[Guest]

And Tyson catching him flush on the chin.