TWO months out from potentially the biggest bout of his boxing life, Brothers halfback Joe Williams admits the clock is ticking on his rugby league career.
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Williams yesterday confirmed he would play only two more games of rugby league before making a full-time commitment to the ring.
"This will be the finish," Williams said yesterday.
"It probably hasn't been a great year, but Brothers are a great club.
"There's no arrogance. Everyone is so humble."
Two days out from his penultimate game for Brothers against Junee at Laurie Daley Oval on Saturday, Williams admits boxing is about to become his consuming sporting passion.
Beforehand, however, Williams says he is ready to play a role in sending the Brethren out for the year with successive victories over Junee and Temora.
"There's two games to go and we want to win both of them," he said.
For Williams, pulling off a football jumper for the last time at Equex Centre on Sunday week will start the critical countdown to a blockbuster bout in Wagga.
Williams has revealed he is booked to fight at Bolton Park stadium on October 18, but the opponent is yet to be settled.
Significantly, a welterweight bout in Malta tomorrow night will lock in the fighter to take on Williams for the WBF junior welterweight title he won in February.
Big-punching "Super" Steve Martin will fight Englishman Graham Earl for the vacant WBF welterweight crown in Malta, with the winner to rumble with Williams.
Martin has won eight straight bouts, including seven by knockout, while Earl boasts a formidable record.
At 35, and on the comeback trail, Earl boasts 26 victories in 30 fights mainly in England.
Earl called it quits in 2009 before returning to the ring to fight Australia's Michael Katsidis for the vacant MBU world light welterweight title in Queensland in April.
Despite losing a tough 12-round content to Katsidis, Earl has set his sights on Martin - and possibly a showdown with Williams.
Speaking to The Daily Advertiser yesterday, Williams said fighting Martin or Earl would be "massive step".
"It's really exciting." Williams said.
In the meantime, Williams has unfinished business with Brothers.
Along the way, the Wagga boxer will shed a "couple of kilos" a week to get down to his premium fighting weight.
"It won't affect my footy," he said.
Williams was the toast of Wagga on February 22 when he dusted off Ty Gilchrist in a "majority decision" to get the light welterweight belt.
Around 1000 spectators attended the fight, with expectations sure to be even higher for the upcoming bout in October.
As Williams prepares bow out of football, the Brethren are waiting for the arrival of freshly signed captain-coach Ben Black.
WILLIAMS' WORLD
What: WBF light welterweight title bout
When: October 18
Who: to fight winner of Steve Martin v Graham Earl
