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.
Atawhai Drive
Guest
The first Sonny Bill Williams biography is on the shelves, I saw it at a bookshop today. It's called "Sonny Bill Williams: The Story Of Rugby's New Superstar", by John Matheson. I'm surprised Matheson got there first. I would have expected the first book to be "Sweet As, Bro: The Existential Odyssey Of Sonny Bill Williams", as told to Danny Weidler, a slim volume published by Nasser and Nasser under the Dodgy imprint, available at good used car yards everywhere.
The Grafter
Guest
Would rather watch proper boxing personally Simon, but if it had to be current/ex players, Haumono vs Hall would be a better prospect. At least they can box.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
you're 100% right. And winner takes on Willie Mason.That might not be pretty but would pack any stadium in Oz or NZ. Last night's bout was embarassing at times. Felt sorry for the 2 dudes, the crowd and all the ppl who paid ppv. best call i have made in a long time not to purchase it on main event
The Grafter
Guest
Pretty much. David Tua at 38 would do to him (more so) what he did to Cameron 2 years ago. There are 2 fractions in NZ. Currently in Australia Alex Laupai is ranked No1, yet Michael Kirby was the Australian title holder (beating Colin Wilson last year) and has now vacated it. It will be fought for next week in Southport between Wilson and Lucas Brown.
simonjzw
Roar Pro
Sonny Bill vs Barry Hall Isn't that what we all want to see?
WQ
Guest
SBW = NRL Star, NZ League International, Super Rugby Star, NZ Rugby International, Pro Boxer with a 5-0 record. Step back and examine the facts, how many others have acheived what he has in their careers?
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Okay, so he holds the title but isn't the Champ of NZ as such.
The Grafter
Guest
The 'title' was vacant Patrick. If it went on rankings, David Tua would be the NZ Champion. There are 2 NZ Boards/Federations which both have titles. The second is the NZ National Boxing Federation who's title holder is Auckland based Amercian Chancy Welliver.Although he's no world beater, Welliver has been fighting in both NZ, the US, Asia and Europe, and has amassed a record of 52-5-5 from 62 fights including 2 points decisions over Williams original opponent Tutaki (Whom I thought was imprisoned until post 'fight' last night). I would assume Williams will now be elevated to no3 in NZ behind Tua and Welliver.
Patrick Angel
Roar Guru
Not really a boxing expert but I do watch it, but how can he become the champ without defeating a previous champ, or was this guy the highest ranked after Tutaki?
Chris
Guest
He wouldn't be able to handle any legitimate competition. $BW = a joke.
hog
Guest
At least you get 80 minutes
Atawhai Drive
Guest
RWC coverage, along with AFL, NRL, A-League, EPL and BBL, is included in standard Foxtel packages. To watch this "fight" involved outlaying an additional $40 to watch it on the Main Event channel.
Johnno
Guest
LOL Damien i had to put in a polite way as i didn't want to have my comment deleted, but im sure every one knows the example i used in terms of how expensive those 3minutes were the SBW fight tonight.
NF
Guest
Joke of an main event the win proves nothing for SBW give him some legitimate competition for once.
Damien
Roar Guru
LOL. Funny when you put it that way. I think I'll use that Johnno. Nice one.
Damien
Roar Guru
People pay to watch 60 point hidings at a RWC as well..
Johnno
Guest
I paid $40 for 3 minutes 1 round, wow thats more expensive that's like 3 times more expensive per minute, than some of those adult phone lines, you all know what im talking about, but i am saying it in a polite way here.
Damien
Roar Guru
Thats Tillmans fault. He should have taken a knee. Then maybe he would have survived. I reckon he couldn't believe he got rocked by SBW and was too proud to take the knee. Who knows. Maybe he was too out of it. The ref can't give an 8 count to a fighter who is not down. Tangled in the ropes is not considered down. You must have at least 3 points touching the ground e.g.. both feet and one knee. Tillman has no one to blame but himself..
Atawhai Drive
Guest
Did people actually pay to watch this? Just another nail in the coffin of professional boxing.
Johnno
Guest
I agree Damien and steve b, tilman was wonky and would of lost the fight no question. But the hit was at the end of the 1st round, and he was on the ropes, the ref should of done the count as tilman was tangles in the ropes. do the count if he fine called the bell then to the corner and start next round or give tilman option if he wanted to go on, but he gave ohm no option. Tilman was very angry after the fight apparently.