Injury could spell premature end to Sonny Bill Williams' Japanese deal

Rugby World Cup winner Sonny Bill Williams' return to club action in Japan could be in doubt - after undergoing surgery which also looks set to postpone his next boxing bout.

The All Blacks centre, who is expected to return to rugby league next year, was due to fight former heavyweight title contender Francois Botha in Brisbane next month.

But the 27-year-old suffered a shoulder and chest injury while playing for club side Panasonic Wild Knights and underwent pectoral surgery today.

"Just spoke to the doctor operation went well," he said on Twitter.

"Thanks for the support I've truly been blessed,"

Williams - New Zealand's heavyweight boxing champion - faces up to two months out, which would put his fight with 44-year-old Botha on the shelf, and potentially spell a premature end to his lucrative club rugby contract.

Williams left the world champion All Blacks and Waikato Chiefs for the Japanese side worth an estimated $100,000 (Dh367,000) a game, but is just halfway through the 12-match deal.

Confirmed bouts (more to be added)

Cory Sandhagen v Umar Nurmagomedov
Nick Diaz v Vicente Luque
Michael Chiesa v Tony Ferguson
Deiveson Figueiredo v Marlon Vera
Mackenzie Dern v Loopy Godinez

Tickets for the August 3 Fight Night, held in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi, went on sale earlier this month, through www.etihadarena.ae and www.ticketmaster.ae.

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WHEN TO GO:

September to November or March to May; this is when visitors are most likely to see what they’ve come for.

WHERE TO STAY:

Meghauli Serai, A Taj Safari - Chitwan National Park resort (tajhotels.com) is a one-hour drive from Bharatpur Airport with stays costing from Dh1,396 per night, including taxes and breakfast. Return airport transfers cost from Dh661.

HOW TO GET THERE:

Etihad Airways regularly flies from Abu Dhabi to Kathmandu from around Dh1,500 per person return, including taxes. Buddha Air (buddhaair.com) and Yeti Airlines (yetiairlines.com) fly from Kathmandu to Bharatpur several times a day from about Dh660 return and the flight takes just 20 minutes. Driving is possible but the roads are hilly which means it will take you five or six hours to travel 148 kilometres.

Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut

Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”