Moments after Sonny Bill Williams took out New Zealand's heavyweight title he had another fight on his hands - from a former scheduled opponent.
As the All Black was celebrating winning the New Zealand Professional Boxing Association heavyweight title via a technical knockout, Richard Tutaki forced his way into the ring calling for Williams to take him on, Fairfax reported today.
A heated exchange reportedly took place between the intruder and Williams' supporter and fellow All Black Liam Messam before the new title-holder intervened and shook hands with Tutaki.
Tutaki was dropped as Williams' original opponent after it was revealed he faced several charges. including possession of methamphetamine and drug utensils.
US heavyweight Clarence Tillman 34, was a late change of opponent.
Williams knocked out his American opponent in the first round of the fight at Claudelands Arena in Hamilton last night.
Williams' manager Khoder Nasser said Tutaki was angry it had not been him in the ring and still wanted to face off against Williams.
"Richard Tutaki said that this was his fight. I said to him 'another time and another place','' Fairfax quoted Nasser as saying.
"He asked me to give him my word that I would let him have a fight against Sonny.
"I said, 'Richard, this is not the time or the place','' he reportedly said.
Messam was furious about Tutaki's antics in the ring.
"Tutaki jumped in and called out Sonny. He was dead serious. It was Sonny's moment. He'd just won the title.
"That was not right. It's disrespectful. You wait for the right time to call him out.
"He definitely had his chance and he couldn't live by the law. He had to do his time,'' Messam said.
Williams however had some kinder words for Tutaki.
"His name has been dragged through the media - not just him but his family as well.
"I can feel for him about that,'' he said.
Tutaki is currently on bail for 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.
He has indicated he will plead guilty to some of them.
Williams previously told media that he was "gutted'' his fight with Tutaki was cancelled and described it as a setback for his career.
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