By Duncan Johnstone
Former All Blacks star Carlos Spencer says time is against him pursuing a long professional boxing career, but admits he couldn't resist the challenge of taking on Monty Betham in the money ranks.
After a handful of corporate fights, the 38-year-old Spencer will make his pro debut as the main undercard bout on December's Fight For Life card in Hamilton.
Gone were the days of three two-minute rounds where Spencer's victories included beating rugby league stars Awen Guttenbeil and Jarrod McCracken.
Irt was four three-minute rounds against Betham, the former Warriors hard man who came from a boxing family and had six pro fights to his name for five wins (three by knockout) with his only loss being a points decision to Shane Cameron in his last fight, three years ago.
Spencer said he was struggling to juggle this pro debut with his rugby commitments in South Africa where he was coaching the struggling Kings.
The team were bottom of the Currie Cup log after six consecutive losses that have netted them just one bonus point, heaping pressure on their controversial Kiwi coach.
Asked if this fight was the start of a new career, Spencer said time was conspiring against him on two fronts.
"I'm not getting any younger and I have a busy career now here in terms of my job with the Kings, so I don't have a lot of time to put on the gloves these days," Spencer said from his Port Elizabeth base.
"I think this will be a one-off, but you never know, we'll just have to wait and see I suppose. But it's all about time. Like I said, I don't really have time on my side in terms of my age or my role here as head coach of the Kings.
"Let's get this first one in and hopefully I come out of the ring still standing and we'll make the decision after that."
A notorious fitness freak with a huge competitive streak in him, Spencer said he was challenged to take this fight on and he couldn't resist. To do that, he had to turn professional to match Betham's status.
"I never imagined turning pro. Boxing was never a career for me, more of a hobby and more of a way of training. When I got asked to turn pro, I thought why? It never was part of the plans moving forward. But with this opportunity coming up and Monty being a pro, it had to be a pro fight.
"It could be the one and only pro fight I have, who knows? But it was an opportunity that came to me, so I took it.
"It's something I'm really excited about. It's a massive challenge for me ... it's a personal challenge more than anything else.
"I haven't been in the ring for well over a year now, so I realise it's a big ask and a big challenge. But I always look to big challenges as an individual. If the challenge is there I will take it."
"It's not about proving anything for me. I'm competitive and I feel I need to do something every now and then to keep me excited. When you can train for something, it means a little bit more."
Spencer knew he was in for a far tougher assignment in Hamilton than his corporate fights that have been in Auckland and Dubai.
"I'm coming up against a competitor who is experienced. He's had a lot of fights and this is my first one. He has a big boxing background, he owns a boxing gym ... this is his life. It's a hobby for me, I do it for fun.
"So I have a lot of hard work to do. I have so much respect for him as a rugby league player and a human being. He's competitive as well, I know he's going to be working his butt off as well."
And Spencer, so often the favourite in his heady days with the All Blacks that featured 35 tests and nine games, was relishing being an underdog in the ring.
"I will be a massive underdog because of my inexperience. But I'm excited by that to be honest. It doesn't faze me whatsoever, it's all about the challenge for me.
"I will work hard. I don't want to go in there and be another fighter, I want to be a challenge for Monty. I want to put my hand up and make myself proud."
