The Roar » Sonny Bill Williams

Chiefs continue to wait for SBW

AAP — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 00:55:24 +0000

The Chiefs square up against the Highlanders in Queenstown on Saturday in their second Super Rugby pre-season match without boxing champion Sonny Bill Williams.

Williams missed the Chiefs’ 36-0 win over the Rebels in Geelong as he prepared for his New Zealand heavyweight bout with American Clarence Tillman in Hamilton on Wednesday.

Williams dispatched Tillman with a technical knockout late in the opening round, but won’t line up for the Chiefs until their last warm-up match against the Hurricanes in Taupo on February 17.

Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was happy with last week’s result, but expects Saturday’s match to be a much tougher encounter.

“It will be a good measure of where we are at,” he said.

Chiefs’ co-captain Liam Messam, who has a calf injury, won’t play but is expected to be available for the opening Super Rugby round against the Highlanders in Hamilton on February 25.

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Article link: Chiefs continue to wait for SBW. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

New champ Williams looking to next fight

NZPA — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 17:19:17 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams is already contemplating his next bout after claiming the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association heavyweight title with a first-round stoppage of American Clarence Tillman in Hamilton. Williams, who now turns his immediate attention to the Chiefs’ Super rugby campaign, told the crowd after the fight on Wednesday night that he might get [...]

Article link: New champ Williams looking to next fight. Written by NZPA, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill needs to start boxing full time

John Davidson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:42:44 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams took care of an ordinary Clarence Tillman III with little fuss last night, but if he wants to go really far in the boxing world, he needs to commit to the sweet science permanently. It was the contest that wasn’t one. Despite the pre-fight dramas, and the altercation in the ring just [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill needs to start boxing full time. Written by John Davidson, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill wins title in first round

The Roar — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 09:48:13 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams has won the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association heavyweight title after a first-round stoppage of American Clarence Tillman III in Hamilton. After a cagey start by both boxers on Wednesday night, Williams produced a left hook late in the first round that had Tillman wobbling. The 26-year-old All Black landed a series [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill wins title in first round. Written by The Roar, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill Williams vs Clarence Tillman III: Live updates, blog [video]

John Davidson — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:11:30 +0000

Sonny Bill Wiliams takes on Clarence Tillman III in Hamilton tonight, with the New Zealand heavyweight title on the line. Join us tonight for live updates, scoring and blog from 5.00pm (AEDT) with all undercard results for Williams vs Tillman. Williams enters the ring for the fifth time, hoping to add to his four scalps. [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill Williams vs Clarence Tillman III: Live updates, blog [video]. Written by John Davidson, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill Williams and Clarence Tillman in weigh-in scuffle [video]

The Roar — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 00:47:26 +0000

The punches flew early this morning between Sonny Bill Williams and his boxing opponent Clarence Tillman III, as the face-off at weigh-in erupted into short, heated melee. As the pair exchanged trash talk, with Williams telling Tillman “don’t call me your homie”, Tillman shoved Williams in the chest forcing him backwards. Williams moved back and [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill Williams and Clarence Tillman in weigh-in scuffle [video]. Written by The Roar, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill looking sharp for his first real test

John Davidson — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:43:08 +0000

The assistance of Tony Mundine as well as some impressive sparring partners has put Sonny Bill Williams in prime shape for his New Zealand heavyweight title tussle with Clarence Tillman III on Wednesday. Watch Sonny Bill Williams and Clarence Tillman III face-off at the weigh-ins [VIDEO] Williams said he is feeling confident ahead of his [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill looking sharp for his first real test. Written by John Davidson, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Where would SBW fit on the Australian Boxing landscape?

The Crowd — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:18:50 +0000

The New Zealand Heavyweight title fight is coming up next week between league turned rugby player Sonny Bill Williams, and New Zealand based American boxer Clarence Tillman. I thought I would hypothetically look at where he would fit if fighting in Australia. This is a distinct possibility next year should the man they call SBW [...]

Article link: Where would SBW fit on the Australian Boxing landscape?. Written by The Crowd, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Amateur boxers to teach SBW a lesson

David Beniuk — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 19:46:52 +0000

Anyone can turn professional – just look at Sonny Bill Williams, say Australia’s amateur boxers who head to Hobart this week on their path to the London Olympics. Australian boxing team captain Luke Jackson says the Olympics is the pinnacle in a sport he’d rather pursue for love than money. “Anyone can turn professional,” Jackson [...]

Article link: Amateur boxers to teach SBW a lesson. Written by David Beniuk, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Is Sonny Bill Williams making a mockery out of boxing?

James31 — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:20:58 +0000

The other day I was down at my local pub here on the Gold Coast drinking a nice cold one, and I got talking to this old bloke named Ralph about boxing. Now Ralph knew all the ins and outs of boxing; he knew everything – like a walking boxing encyclapedia. I mean, this guy [...]

Article link: Is Sonny Bill Williams making a mockery out of boxing?. Written by James31, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Morley would welcome SBW to Roosters

AAP — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 20:19:48 +0000

Former Sydney Roosters enforcer Adrian Morley has endorsed his old NRL club’s pursuit of code hopper Sonny Bill Williams. The star’s possible return in 2013 from rugby union has Roosters fans and rugby league followers divided. But Morley, who is in Sydney with his UK Super League club Warrington, thinks it would be great to [...]

Article link: Morley would welcome SBW to Roosters. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill Williams needs new boxing opponent after arrest

The Crowd — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:45:36 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams’ New Zealand heavyweight title fight in Hamilton has been cancelled in sensational circumstances, with New Zealand boxer Richard Tutaki arrested and imprisoned on Tuesday on charges including methamphetamine possession, and receiving and providing false details to police. Tutaki was to have fought Williams, but has instead been remanded in custody until his [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill Williams needs new boxing opponent after arrest. Written by The Crowd, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

How the NRL can exploit the game’s biggest rivalry

Epiquin — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 19:25:40 +0000

Every season, rugby league showcases some of the best rivalries in Australian sport. Some are friendly; others are fuelled by animosity and passion. There’s Australia and New Zealand, City versus Country, Manly versus everybody and of course, the biggest of them all, State of Origin. Despite these contests and their enormous contribution to the game, [...]

Article link: How the NRL can exploit the game’s biggest rivalry. Written by Epiquin, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

How many will watch SBW fight on pay per view?

Peter Wilson — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 19:11:18 +0000

In just over five weeks ‘the long awaited title fight’ featuring Sonny Bill Williams and the highly rated Richard Tutaki happens in Hamilton, New Zealand. The fight is being promoted by Tony Mundine of BOXA International. The undercard features several Australian up and comers such as Gold Coast based lightweight Billel Dib and Sydney based [...]

Article link: How many will watch SBW fight on pay per view?. Written by Peter Wilson, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Why the NRL’s future is looking Sonny

Chris Chard — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 17:30:34 +0000

Hail the return of the prodigal son! The best thing to come out of New Zealand since Footrot Flats is set for an NRL encore with the Bondi Boys, in the biggest player movement since Dally Messenger signed on for a salary of eleven tuppence and half a dozen cravats in nineteen-oh-nothing. The man, the [...]

Article link: Why the NRL’s future is looking Sonny. Written by Chris Chard, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Rugby league must say no to Sonny Bill Williams

M_Campbell23 — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 17:40:02 +0000

I must admit that when I read that Sonny Bill Williams was trying to slide back into rugby league, I was not surprised. I was not surprised he wanted to come back to the game which made him, because he is more suited to it than the fifteen-man game, and can have a greater impact. [...]

Article link: Rugby league must say no to Sonny Bill Williams. Written by M_Campbell23, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill Williams would be a steal at $800,000 a season

ScottWoodward.me — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 19:22:15 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams would be a steal at $800k a season for any NRL club – he is that good. Many stalwarts have still not accepted him as a world-class player, and when I talk to respected figures that have been in the game for over 50 years, they talk about Coote and McCarthy, but [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill Williams would be a steal at $800,000 a season. Written by ScottWoodward.me, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill to fight for heavyweight title

KingsofCommentary — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 18:16:48 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams is locked and loaded for the vacant New Zealand heavyweight title, which he’ll contest in February 2012 against Richard Tutaki. I know what you’re thinking. Richard who? So read on. Theoretically, it is the first bout of consequence for the biggest brand in rugby who to this point has only tangoed with [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill to fight for heavyweight title. Written by KingsofCommentary, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

SBW to fight for heavyweight belt

AAP — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 18:26:25 +0000

All Black Sonny Bill Williams will seek to add a boxing title to his Rugby World Cup winner’s medal when he fights for the New Zealand heavyweight belt next year.

The former rugby league international will fight 33-year-old Richard Tutaki for the vacant title in Hamilton on February 8.

Williams has a clause in his contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union which allows him to continue to compete in the ring.

The 26-year-old has had four bouts, winning them all while Tutaki has won 19 of his 41 fights with one draw and 21 losses.

Article link: SBW to fight for heavyweight belt. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Who are our greatest multiple sport athletes?

Melanie Dinjaski — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:52:43 +0000

Roosters captain Braith Anasta made his debut in a professional golf tournament this weekend, prompting me to mull over exactly who are the greatest, multiple sport professionals. Here are my picks. Sav Rocca When Saverio Rocca retired from Aussie Rules, he left a legacy that was worth remembering. With 748 goals, Rocca sits 13th on [...]

Article link: Who are our greatest multiple sport athletes?. Written by Melanie Dinjaski, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill to box on for Waikato Chiefs

KingsofCommentary — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 16:52:37 +0000

Finally, the long awaited, highly anticipated, excruciatingly frustrated announcement: Sonny Bill Williams has signed for one year with the Waikato Chiefs. The trans-Tasman super athlete made his coded announcement via twitter Monday morning: “I hear it’s nice in Hamilton,” before jetting off on holiday. The finer detail of Sonny Bill’s contract is confidential, meaning the [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill to box on for Waikato Chiefs. Written by KingsofCommentary, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill Williams stays in New Zealand rugby as a Chief

AAP — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:50:31 +0000

All Blacks midfielder Sonny Bill Williams has signed up for another year with New Zealand rugby and is switching his Super Rugby allegiance to the Chiefs. Former NRL star Williams was coy about his playing future while helping the All Blacks win the Rugby World Cup earlier this month, prompting speculation he may head abroad, [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill Williams stays in New Zealand rugby as a Chief. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

SBW keeps rival codes guessing

Jim Morton — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 20:33:04 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams is feeling New Zealand’s love from a Rugby World Cup “dream come true” that he’ll cherish for the rest of his life. But the dual international is no closer to deciding which code, country and club will enjoy his freakish services after the All Blacks date with destiny on Sunday night. Williams [...]

Article link: SBW keeps rival codes guessing. Written by Jim Morton, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Muliaina set for 100th All Blacks cap

NZPA — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 20:02:05 +0000

Fullback Mils Muliaina has benefited from an injury to rival Israel Dagg and will play his 100th Test for the All Blacks in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Argentina on Sunday. The 31-year-old will become just the second All Black to reach the mark following captain Richie McCaw who brought up his ton against [...]

Article link: Muliaina set for 100th All Blacks cap. Written by NZPA, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill Williams is Stephen Donald all over again

Jeff Cheshire — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 21:20:38 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams had been touted as one of the most promising talents that New Zealand could have pull on the All Blacks jersey. A freak, who was big, athletic and skillful, and had already made his name playing Rugby League a few years earlier, Williams was the future of All Blacks rugby. Many players [...]

Article link: Sonny Bill Williams is Stephen Donald all over again. Written by Jeff Cheshire, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

SBW set for impact at business end of RWC

AAP — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 03:50:00 +0000

Sonny Bill Williams is back and set to make an impact for the All Blacks in the looming big matches of the Rugby World Cup. That’s the message from former NRL star Williams’ selection on the bench in a full-strength New Zealand team named to meet major pool A rival France – their nemesis of [...]

Article link: SBW set for impact at business end of RWC. Written by AAP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

Sonny Bill shines in Blossom beating

KingsofCommentary — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 00:12:13 +0000

New Zealand's Sonny Bill Williams gets away from Takehisa Usuzuki of Japan during the Rugby World Cup. Photo credit David Davies/PA Wire.

After 80-minutes of high octane All Blacks rugby, it wasn’t so much a matter of who scored the tries, but who didn’t.

All Blacks mull new position for Sonny Bill

AFP — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 22:49:34 +0000

The imposing figure of Sonny Bill Williams is likely to pop up in a new position in the All Blacks Rugby World Cup match against Japan on Friday, but just where is a closely guarded secret. The 6ft 3in (1.91m) and 110kg Williams has played almost all his rugby at inside centre since leaving French [...]

Article link: All Blacks mull new position for Sonny Bill. Written by AFP, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

I bet Sonny Bill wishes he was a Wallaby

niwdEyaJ — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 19:59:09 +0000

I bet somewhere, in his heart of hearts, Sonny William Williams has thought about and maybe even wished he had signed up with the ARU to play for the Wallabies. Sure, it’s a great honour to represent New Zealand and the All Blacks, the greatest rugby team of all time, but playing off the bench [...]

Article link: I bet Sonny Bill wishes he was a Wallaby. Written by niwdEyaJ, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion

All Blacks and Wallabies the early frontrunners

Katie Lambeski — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 06:58:35 +0000

What an opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup it was. After what seemed like an eternity, the ‘fight for Bill’ began with a wonderful opening ceremony. The rest of the weekend saw the All Blacks breeze past Tonga with a great opening half, the brave minnows (Japan’s performance against France was all heart) fight [...]

Article link: All Blacks and Wallabies the early frontrunners. Written by Katie Lambeski, on The Roar - Your Sports Opinion