The sideshow that is All Black Sonny Bill Williams's boxing career will enter the next chapter when he steps into the ring against yet another journeyman.
It was confirmed on Monday that Williams will fight Clarence Tillman III in Hamilton on 8 February - just over two weeks before the start of the Super Rugby season, when his New Zealand franchise, the Chiefs, face the Highlanders in Hamilton on February 25.
The American-born, Auckland-based Tillman comes in as a replacement for Richard Tutaki - who was originally scheduled to face Williams, but then fell foul of the law and was arrested on drugs charges.
Tutaki faces more than 10 charges - including possession of methamphetamine and drug utensils, breach of bail, three counts of receiving stolen property, unlawfully getting into a motor vehicle, dangerous driving, failing to stop for police, failing to remain stopped and giving false details to police.
This forced Williams and his management team, headed by Koder Nasser, to urgently look for a replacement.
And they found one in Tillman, whom they list as a big, strong American.
In their release the Williams camp said the 34-year-old Tillman has recently starting sparring with Moyoyo Mensha and will "prove to be a very tough opponent for Williams". He has also previously beaten Tutaki.
Williams' manager, Nasser, said: "It is great that the Tillman camp have agreed to take the fight. It is definitely going to be a great spectacle and a big night for Sonny Bill."
With the New Zealand heavyweight title up for grabs, Williams said: "The fight is going to be a huge challenge.
"Tillman is a quality fighter, so I will have to put in the extra yards over the next three and a half weeks and change my fight plan accordingly."
What the Williams camp conveniently fails to mention is that Tillman - at 136kg and 196cm - has a very ordinary professional record of just 11 wins in 21 fights, with eight-losses and two draws.
He is currently ranked 300th worldwide and sixth out of 27 heavyweights currently active in New Zealand.
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