ALL BLACK centre Sonny Bill Williams has been given clearance to fight his third professional boxing bout next month, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said yesterday.

Williams, who made his debut for New Zealand against England last month after making the switch from rugby league, will fight Scott Lewis in Australia on January 29th.

“It was agreed with Sonny Bill as part of his contract with the NZRU that he would be able to undertake professional boxing fights and we are comfortable with the timing of this event,” said the NZRU’s Neil Sorensen.

“We are comfortable that his boxing training regime and the bout itself won’t impact on his preparations for the Super rugby season with the Crusaders.”

The Crusaders start the new Super rugby season against the Blues in Auckland on February 19th.