In fact, so much emphasis has been heaped on the trouser-hoisting device that the contest has been dubbed the Battle for the Belt. Technically, however, it's hard to imagine the scuffling at yesterday's weigh-in had much to do with pre-title fight anxiety.
For starters, it's highly debatable the winner will hold much claim to being this country's national champion. Tillman - a replacement for Richard Tutaki following Herald revelations of Tutaki's legal problems - can't actually hold the belt. Even if Williams wins, most boxing folks will still consider Chauncy Welliver - holder of the NZNBF title - to be New Zealand champion. Welliver, another American who fights out of Auckland, is a fairly well-performed pro whose results of late have made his oft-stated intent to climb in the ring with a declining David Tua look less fanciful than they once did. Williams, by contrast, would need to think long and hard before even sparring with the likes of Tua.
That's not to say tonight's event is entirely without interest. Should Williams defeat Tillman, a unification fight with Welliver would have box office appeal. A Williams victory, though (one would hope), is far from guaranteed. Tillman may look like a mahogany version of the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, but he is still a significant step up from the bums and borderline cripples Williams has faced so far in his career.
Tillman has been active, fighting eight times last year for five wins, two losses, and a draw. He is also not Williams' first-choice opponent, which always adds an element of danger. Tillman, in fact, defeated Tutaki in a split-decision six-rounder last April. By contrast, Williams has had just four fights, with only the last two - both won on points over six rounds - rating as genuine contests.
Tillman has the edge in size, experience, and power, while Williams has a clear edge in athletic ability, though he will want to have made some strides with his skills under the tutelage of Tony Mundine in the past two months.
Williams was credited with a knockdown during the scuffle at the weigh-in, though a close look at the video revealed Anthony Mundine pulling Tillman down from behind. Quite what he was doing behind Tillman instead of behind his own man isn't clear. Williams won't be able to rely on that sort of assistance tonight.
"I'm going to f*** you up," Williams apparently told Tillman yesterday. We'll see.
