Tensionsmount as title fight nears
Respecting one’s opponent seems not to be a prominent feature of tonight’s boxing encounter in Hamilton.
Clarence Tillman sat at the back of Ringside Boxing Gym in Hamilton yesterday, head bent, headphones pumping, foot tapping impatiently, concentrating.
All the while a steady stream of reporters walked right past him without a second glance, milling around waiting for his opponent to arrive at the official weigh-in ahead of tonight’s fight.
Then, Sonny Bill Williams walked in. Cameras flashed and the hustle and bustle of the press conference started. Tillman was a man of few words. A reporter asked, given the threats of a knockout Tillman has bandied about, which round the KO would take place in. ‘‘As soon as I touch him,’’ he said. ‘‘Ain’t going to touch me in the first round, son,’’ Williams retorted.
Twenty minutes later as the two were squaring off for photographers and engaging in a little trash talk, Tillman’s fist came out of nowhere, hitting Williams bare-knuckled and causing the kind of sensationalism that the fight has been accused of exploiting.
Sonny Bill Williams is a hot topic and Clarence Tillman comes off as the villain of the piece after delivering the unprofessional blow.
It’s hard to understand the motives of the 34-year-old fighter. Without New Zealand citizenship Tillman cannot win the vacant New Zealand heavyweight title for which the match is being fought, but it won’t be as easy to write the American off as some would like to think.
With 21 fights under his belt, Tillman has earned his place as a professional boxer since debuting back in the States in 2008.
Standing at 1.96m (6ft 5in) and weighing in yesterday at 128.4kg, while Williams stands at 1.90m (6ft 3in) and weighs in at 107.9kg, Tillman can boast going 82 rounds in professional fights, beating fight- ers such as Williams’ former opponent Richard Tutaki.
And though he may not have the perfect record, standing at 11 wins (six by KO), eight losses (two by KO) and two draws, Tillman still has 20kg, 17 professional fights and the backing of more TAB punters up on Williams.
But Anthony Mundine, who has been helping Williams train for the bout, said Tillman was getting flustered and that caused the outburst.
‘‘He’s never been under these sort of lights and to lose to such an inexperienced fighter like Sonny Bill, only in his fifth fight for a national title, the pressure is building up.’’
Tillman’s trainer Chris Martin said Tillman was becoming frustrated with the lack of recognition he had been given by the media for being more than a worthy opponent for the less experienced Williams.
‘‘It’s the media and the comments made in regards to Clarence, probably in a negative light, and he’s taken it personal,’’ he said.
‘‘They should realise his experience and his background and take him seriously, so he probably felt disrespected.
‘‘It’s mind games, it’s all starting now. On fight night when the bell goes, it’s the top six inches and that’s all part of the psychological battle, the mind games.’’
Tillman admitted to feeling ‘‘disrespected’’.
‘‘Just from some of the things that I heard from some people or heard some people said which was kind of asinine really,’’ he said, ‘‘but everybody has their own opinion. It’s not even worth [talking about it].’’
With gruff confidence, Tillman backed his victory in the ring tonight so much he put down a $1000 bet on himself and with no preamble or flashing smile, he assured the press yesterday that he was the better of the two men.
‘‘I’m gonna win,’’ he said as if it wasn’t worth any thought to the contrary.
Whatever facade Tillman is hiding behind, a lot is riding on this fight. With the battle for the belt having only one real contender in Sonny Bill Williams, what Clarence Tillman seems to be fighting for is respect.
Williams and Tillman share the No 6 spot in New Zealand’s heavyweight rankings.