The boxing opponent of All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams is currently under investigation after it has come to light that he has been receiving a taxpayer-funded sickness benefit for an elbow injury.
Last week, New Zealand authorities initiated an investigation into Alipate Liava’a, 43, and have since halted his payments.
Known as the “Lard of the Ring,” the South Aucklander stated that his issue with tennis elbow hindered his ability to find work, although it didn’t stop him from stepping into the ring with Williams in West Auckland this Sunday.
“It’s really bad, but it’s good enough for hitting someone,” Liava’a remarked to a New Zealand TV reporter. “It’s not quite 100 per cent, but don’t mention it to Sonny Bill.”
Anticipating a payout of $6000 for the fight, Liava’a will earn significantly less than Williams, who plans to donate $NZ100,000 to aid the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal.
Liava’a initially began receiving the sickness benefit due to voice issues.
However, his physician informed welfare officials that he was unable to work because of his elbow.
“I’ll go and speak with them to make them aware because I thought it would be okay,” Liava’a commented. “Besides, I was caught up with training and music. So, it’s a good idea to discuss it with them and clarify.”
New Zealand’s Minister of Social Development Paula Bennett expressed her astonishment that someone could possess an injury significant enough to prevent job-seeking yet be fit enough to participate in a professional boxing bout.
It has been reported that Liava’a’s benefit was set to be canceled on June 17.
New Zealand’s Work and Income stated that his sickness benefit was suspended after he failed to respond to the department’s communications.
“We assessed his eligibility for the benefit based on a medical evaluation and plan to reassess this with the doctor next week,” they indicated.
Williams’ manager, Khoder Nasser, revealed that he was unaware of Liava’a’s status as a sickness beneficiary, adding that it was irrelevant.
“People have witnessed him (Liava’a) training hard in the gym, completing 60 sparring sessions a week. He looks fit and prepared,” Nasser remarked.
“He might be bluffing or something; we just can’t tell. But Sonny’s grappling with his own injury, a cut on his hand. We are just continuing training as normal.”
Anthony Mundine will accompany Williams on the fight card, going up against lesser-known American Xavier Tolliver.
by Buford Balony