Monty Betham


Montgomery Junior "Monty" Betham 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 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.

Highlights

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 was filmed at Boxing Alley gym featuring Monty Betham and contestant Whenua Patuwai.

Professional boxing record

Title

Regional/International Titles:
Betham was runner-up on Season 4 of New Zealand Dancing With The Stars in 2008.
Betham is trained by Danny Codling and managed by Mick Watson.
In 2007 Betham competed in New Zealand reality show Treasure Island:Pirates of the Pacific. In March 2008 he competed on New Zealand Celebrity Joker Poker, he made it to the final three on the final episode before being eliminated.

''Dancing with the Stars'' (New Zealand, Season 4)

In December 2007 it was announced that Betham would compete in season 4 of Dancing with the Stars which started in February 2008. On January 28, 2008 it was revealed on The Edge that Betham's professional dance partner would be Nerida Jantti. On April 15, 2008 he was named runner-up.

Filmography

In October 2012 Betham became one of the inaugural TV presenters on The Shopping Channel, New Zealand's first and only home shopping channel.

Monty Betham's Steps for Life Foundation

With his sister Chante Betham-Spencer he founded Monty Betham's Steps for Life Foundation in 2010 to "Help NZ youth and families in the fight against childhood obesity in NZ".

Personal life

After returning home from competing on Treasure Island, Betham and his wife Jaymie celebrated the birth of their first child, a son. Betham's wife is currently expecting their second child.