If Sonny Bill Williams decided to play tennis I get the feeling that many would expect him to face-off against the likes of Roger Federer, or Rafael Nadal in his fifth match.
Or at least that's the mentality that many have about his boxing career.
Williams, at 23, launched his boxing career in May, 2009 against Garry Gurr. He stopped him in the second round.
He has since fought, and won, against three other much-lesser opponents, including 43-year-old gospel singing, sickness beneficiary Alipate Liava'a, who he beat in June last year.
The league legend, turned star All Black, turned pro boxer has copped a fair amount of flack for getting paid to pummel 'bums'.
Many people don't realise that this is how the sport of boxing operates, especially when you know you have a real prospect on your hands.
Williams' manager Khoder Nasser, and trainer, Anthony Mundine, know this. Williams knows this. But, people who don't know boxing, don't know this.
When you have a potential future star on your hands you don't throw him to the wolves. You develop his talent, fitness and conditioning against opponents he should be able to beat comfortably. You gradually progress him through more difficult opponents until he is ready to fight the best and become a champion.
Take American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. for example.
Mayweather is considered the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, unbeaten in 42 fights.
He was trained from a young age by his father and uncle to be a champion.
His first professional bout was against a Mexican fighter called Roberto Apodaca. Apodaca went on to have four professional fights in total. He lost all of them.
Mayweather's second victory was against American Reggie Sanders who, according to Boxrec, currently has a record of 12 wins, 45 losses, and 4 draws.
Mayweather is now a five-division world champion and has won seven world titles.
David Tua's first 10 pro fights were against opponents who had more losses than wins (Source: BoxRec.com).
Many top prospects are primed for glory in this way.
I am in no way saying that Williams is in the same league as Mayweather, or Tua, I am simply making the point that - in boxing - you take care of your stock.
The fact is, Williams is an impressive athlete. He has probably started his career too late in the piece to become a world champion, but he has the genetics - the physique, co-ordination, toughness etc. for greatness.
He does have his critics, including veteran boxing historian, promoter, manager and commentator Sir Bob Jones who said "he can't box" and should be fighting as an amateur.
But with only four fights under his belt, and without the benefit of an amateur career, it is unreasonable to expect him to have mastered the 'sweet science'. And if his former opponents can get away with calling themselves 'professionals', then Williams has well and truly earned his place.
Granted, his first four fights were pushovers. But these 'human punch bags' who take shots to the head for cash are called 'journeymen' for a reason.
When people look at Williams they see the superstar - the league player, the All Black, the shirt-tearing muscle man - an elite athlete who should be competing against elite athletes.
He is all of these things. But, as a boxer, he is still learning the ropes.
It is unrealistic to expect him to fight top opponents in his fifth match.
His next fight against Clarence Tillman III for the NZ heavyweight title is a considerable step up.
I've seen Tillman fight and he's no bum. In the fight I saw, he hit his opponent with one right hand forcing him to quit on his feet after less than 30 seconds.
If WIlliams eats a few solid right hands from the 130kg American, he could be in for a rough night.
However, if he can prove himself against some tougher opponents, Tillman included, then there should be no question that he is a credible Kiwi boxer.
Sure, Williams' 'star power' - bestowed upon him by the media and fans - means his early fights have attracted more attention than they deserve, and he's getting paid more for one night's work than many of us make in years.
And it probably is a bit of a farce offering him a shot at the vacant heavyweight title in his fifth fight.
But to question his motives and ability so early in the piece is not very sportsmanlike.
The man wants to box. Let him box.
As my boxing trainer always told me: "There are easier ways to make money"
http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/opinion/6300149/Why-can-t-we-just-let-Sonny-Bill-Williams-box
