"It was a hard decision working out an opponent for Kiki. We wanted somebody high profile who people will recognise but at the same time we didn't want somebody who would give Kiki a hiding ... we think Clarence will be ideal," Leutele's manager Rod Langdon said.
"It's funny Kiki should mention the recycling. In the past it has been ideal for getting his weight down but now the challenge is to keep his weight up and that's hard to do when he's working as well as training in this heat," Langdon said.
Two years ago the 116kg Leutele had set sights on the 2014 Commonwealth Games and this year's Rio Olympics and his father and trainer Rocky Leutele reckoned his son was on track. However yesterday Leutele said the qualification process was too tough. "Basically I had to be the national champion and then go and win gold at the Oceania championships."
Masterton cruiserweight Zane Hopman and fellow former world kickboxing champion Jason Rarere of Hawke's Bay have been used as sparring partners for Leutele in recent weeks and both have been impressed with the power he is building. Rarere has come out of retirement to fight fellow Bay boxer Shaun Rankin at the same show.
A Napier Boys High School old boy, Leutele, has been training 90 minutes every day for the past fortnight for the fight.
"I really want to win. To beat someone as experienced as Clarence in front of family and friends on home turf would be the ideal start. I always meant to turn pro ... I remember back when I was 12 or 13 telling Rod Langdon I wanted to be a professional fighter," Leutele said.
Tillman is eager to break his losing streak.
"I travel home to New Orleans for a holiday in April or May. It would be good to make the trip after a win," the self-trained Tillman said.
He admitted to knowing nothing about Leutele and the same amount about Hawke's Bay.
"I'm looking forward to the trip down there. I enjoy sightseeing in New Zealand and I have yet to visit a place I haven't liked."
While he remembers the sights Tillman had little recollection of his loss to Williams.
"It was so long ago."
When he isn't training or fighting Tillman likes to read and watch American Football on television. Tillman is a staunch supporters of the New Orleans Saints football team.
A co-organiser of the show, Magpies rugby halfback Chris Eaton, is thrilled to secure somebody as experienced as Tillman for the main bout.
"When you take into account Clarence has fought the likes of Sonny Bill, Vaitele Soi and Alapati A'asa to name a few he's an experienced hand. And for a Bay boy to be getting in the ring to take him on ... we've got to be pretty happy."
Like Leutele, Rankin, will be making his professional debut at the show. New All Black Sevens training squad member Billy Ropiha will be one of three 2015 Magpies fighting.
Taradale's Ropiha is scheduled to fight Clive's Rocky Pohatu, Magpies and Napier Old Boys Marist halfback Ellery Wilson will take on Colin Hokianga of the MAC club while Magpies and MAC utility back Lewis Marshall fights Havelock North's Sam Matson.
THE CARD
Ellery Wilson (Napier Old Boys Marist) v Colin Hokianga (MAC).
Lance Wiparata (Maraenui) v Tianua Poto (Clive).
Sam Matson (Havelock North) v Lewis Marshall (MAC).
Reece Aranui (Taradale) v Clinton Vaiusu (MAC).
Billy Ropiha (Taradale) v Rocky Pohatu (Clive).
Rhiarna Ferris (Havelock North) v Te Mahia Raureti (Tamatea).
Dillon Clark (Napier Pirate Rugby and Sports) v Nathan Pulega (Napier Technical).
Ted Walters (Napier Technical) v Mike Ward (Hastings Rugby and Sports).
Kaleb Sweet (Taradale) v Mark Solomon (Hastings Rugby and Sports).
Jason Rarere v Shaun Rankin.
Kiki Toa Leutele v Clarence Tillman.
