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Sonny Bill's boxing ultimatum

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Wed, 15 Feb 2012 10:32a.m.

Sonny Bill Williams with his New Zealand Professional Boxing Association belt which he must defend (file)

Sonny Bill Williams with his New Zealand Professional Boxing Association belt which he must defend (file)

For Sonny Bill Williams to keep his New Zealand heavyweight title, he will have to defend it against a top 10 fighter within six months.

Williams defeated American boxer Clarence Tillman in Hamilton last week, claiming the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association (NZPBA) belt.

It was the fifth professional bout for the All Black, who must now defend his title against a boxer ranked in the NZPBA's top 10.

If successful, he will then be required to step into the ring against the No1 contender by May 2013.

The top contender will be the winner of a clash between Shane Cameron and Monte Barrett in Auckland on May 30, NZPBA head Lance Revill told Fairfax yesterday.

“The pressure will be put on [Williams] to fight and if he doesn't after two or three defences, he will be stripped of his title."

Barrett must apply for New Zealand citizenship to be eligible to win the New Zealand heavyweight title.

3 News/NZN

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Comments

16 Feb 2012 08:12a.m.

mac lavender wrote:

sonny bill your the man on the rugby field and you have shown some skill in the ring.But i think you will not last the 1st round with a boxer of any calibre like cameron or barrett. your mean as fan, mackenzie

15 Feb 2012 03:46p.m.

alison wrote:

congratz... on your win my sister is one of your friends on facebook

15 Feb 2012 11:45a.m.

hippocrates wrote:

ppl want to bag-out sbw when he versus lesser opponents, but ppl cheer and support your camerons, barrett's et al when they want to take on a lesser opponent in sbw!!!
i think it shows the insincerity of ppls opposition to sbw.
very sad indeed.