By Jim Kayes
A little verbal sparring between Sonny Bill Williams and Clarence Tillman III exploded at this morning’s weigh-in, with Williams taking a punch to the chin.
Trash talk was expected ahead of tomorrow night’s clash for the vacant New Zealand Heavyweight title fight in Hamilton – but the scuffle wasn’t.
Williams says he wasn’t impressed.
“It’s pretty below the belt, but that’s all good.”
His trainer, Australian boxing great Tony Mundine, was furious and his son Anthony was just as upset.
“It’s a dog shot. He got him with a dog shot.
“He’s lost all respect from me. I thought he was a man with honour, a warrior. Like I said – that’s uncalled for.”
However, Williams appeared happy for the brawl to continue as rolling cameras captured him inviting Tillman into the ring then and there.
“I’m gonna f*** you up bro,” he said.
For those wondering if the fight was real or a publicity stunt, footage shows Tillman’s fist clearly connect with Williams’ check.
“I didn’t feel nothing man,” Williams insisted.
But the punch has left him bruised and angry.
“He’s the one talking it up at the press conference. We should leave it all in the ring tomorrow, but obviously there is other things on his mind and he wants to bring the fight right now,” says Williams.
“If he’d wanted to, we could have got it on right now. Just adds a bit more spice to it, doesn’t it?”
So the little-known American challenger has ensured tomorrow night’s fight is now very personal.
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