Cooper linked to SBW undercard

The promoters of a boxing fight between Japan-based All Black Sonny Bill Williams and South African veteran Francois Botha are trying to lure controversial Wallabies flyhalf Quade Cooper into the ring.

Thinus Strydom of SA-based World Sport Promotions said in a statement on Wednesday he had approached Cooper's manager, Khoder Nasser, in an effort to place the player on the undercard of the Williams-Botha bout in Brisbane in February.

"I know that Cooper has always had a strong interest in boxing and he's had several workouts already," said Strydom.

"I'll leave it to my colleagues in Australia to make a call on Cooper as a boxer and then we'll make the announcement in a few days' time.

"He'll be a major drawcard in Aussie and New Zealand, and together with Sonny Bill Williams headlining the February bill, there could be fireworks in Brisbane."

Media reports on Tuesday suggested Cooper was weighing his future in Rugby Union after receiving a downgraded contract offer from the Australian Rugby Union.

He was reportedly considering either a contract with a Japanese or European club, or to follow Williams into Rugby League next year.

Cooper was fined AU$40,000 for his public criticism of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans and the ARU after claiming there was a "toxic environment" in the Wallabies team.

SAPA