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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 of further blows before the referee stopped the scheduled 10-round contest.
The win takes Williams’ fight record to five wins from five bouts.
The loss was the 34-year-old Tillman’s ninth of a career that has included 11 wins and two draws.
Tillman left the ring immediately after the fight, not bothering to stay around to see Williams presented with his belt.
There were also ugly scenes when Williams’ original opponent Richard Tutaki entered the ring to taunt Williams.
Tutaki was removed with All Black and Chiefs team mate Liam Messam acting as Williams’ minder.
“Probably on the world stage its just a blip but for me its real big. Its like a world title for me,” Williams said afterwards.
“I knew with the work I’d done with Tony (Mundine) I would get it done but I was surprised it was in the first round.
Williams, who improved his record to 5-0 (3 KOs), now will head back to preseason training with The Chiefs ahead of the Super-15 season.
“This week’s over, now its back to the Chiefs and back into it,” Williams added.
UNDERCARD RESULTS
Middleweight: Robert Jerkic (Aus) b Dickie Pereira (NZ) TKO round 1
Heavyweight: Jason Williams (NZ) b Clint Foai (NZ) TKO round 2
Middleweight: Bilal Akkaway (Aus) b Todd Crawford (NZ) TKO round 1
Cruiserweight: Robert Berridge (NZ) b Faimasasa Tavui (NZ) TKO round 4
Cruiserweight: David Aloua (NZ) b Monty Filmaea (NZ) TKO round 2
– with AAP.
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