Sonny Bill wins Kiwi heavyweight boxing title

HAMILTON, New Zealand (AP) -All Blacks rugby star Sonny Bill Williams won the vacant New Zealand heavyweight boxing title on Wednesday, beating New Zealand-based American fighter Clarence Tillman III by technical knockout in the first round.

Williams took only 2 minutes, 54 seconds to stop the 34-year-old Tillman and remain unbeaten in five professional fights.

There was some ill feeling between the two after Tillman punched Williams at a news conference.

Tillman was the first serious test of Williams' boxing ability, as his previous opponents had included a nightclub bouncer, a digger driver and a 43-year-old gospel singer.

Williams has a clause in his All Blacks contract that allows him to fight and he said he is eager for another bout this year.