Williams and Tillman finalise preparations

All Black Sonny Bill Williams has wrapped up his major training for his February 8 bout against Clarence Tillman, a fight that could potentially be the toughest in his brief boxing career so far.

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Williams is undefeated with four wins, but coming up against the 196cm, 125kg Tillman will be a significant step up in class for the new Chiefs recruit.

At initial glance Tillman’s record looks mixed (11-8-2), but the New Orleans native has lost just one of his last six fights, and defeated Richard Tutaki – Williams’ original opponent for this fight – over six rounds last year.

Not only this, but the 34-year-old fancies himself not only to knock out Williams, but to box twice in 10 days, fighting Solomon Haumono on February 18.

But first it is to Claudelands Arena in Hamilton, where Sonny Bill and Tillman will fight it out for the vacant New Zealand Professional Boxing Association title.

While Williams is considered to be a supreme athlete, Tillman has a significant size advantage while boxing insiders say that the American has a right hand that is lethal – successful in knocking out eight opponents.

Williams said he was aware of Tillman’s threats.

"He's a big man, taller than me. He's about 15kg heavier than me and he's got experience,' said Williams.

"He's got a pretty lethal punch, so I'll definitely have to be aware of that and take a game plan in there. That's what we've been working on with Tony (Mundine).'

"For myself with this boxing fight, there is that element of being embarrassed and being knocked out, but there is also that element of `look, I can do it'.'