Monty Betham

La’auli Montgomery Junior "Monty" Betham (born 12 March 1978) is a professional boxer, and former professional rugby league footballer. A New Zealand international representative and , he played club football for the New Zealand Warriors in the National Rugby League, and for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats (captain) in the Super League.

Background Betham was born in Auckland, New Zealand, on 12 March 1978. His father, Samoan-born Monty Betham Sr., had 53 professional fights as a middleweight or light heavyweight from 1973-1982.

Rugby league career Betham was a Bay Roskill Vikings junior, he was selected to play for Samoa at the 2000 World Cup. Betham went on to change his international allegiance and represent New Zealand in eight tests His position of choice was at but he also played at and . On the field Betham was known for his aggressive style of play. He was once voted the player that the opposition players least want to pick a fight with in an NRL players' poll.

Betham missed New Zealand's first ever finals appearance during the 2001 NRL season and the 2002 NRL Grand Final due to injury. Betham's final game for the club was a 22-20 victory over Manly at Brookvale Oval in round 25 of the 2005 NRL season. Betham spent one year in England with Wakefield Trinity during the 2006 Super League season.

Highlights Junior Club: Papatoetoe & Bay Roskill First Grade Debut: Round 1, Auckland v Sydney City at Aussie Stadium, 8 March 1999 Career Stats: 101 career games to date scoring 10 tries Professional Boxing Debut: On 31 March 2006 Monty defeated Vai Toevai via sixth round KO in Apia, Samoa. Professional Boxing Record - 5-0-0

Boxing career In December 2006, Betham announced his retirement from rugby league in order to pursue a career in boxing. Betham will start out in the cruiserweight division and hopes to work his way down to light heavyweight.

His first fight took place in Samoa on 31 March 2007. He defeated 15 fight veteran Vai Toevai in the sixth round.

In 2013, an episode of The X Factor (New Zealand series 1) was filmed at Boxing Alley gym featuring Monty Betham and contestant Whenua Patuwai.

As well as being a professional boxer, he also trained Daniella Smith who went on to become IBF World Champion.

Professional boxing record

Res. Record Opponent Type Rd., Time Date Location