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SBW to fight for NZ heavyweight title

The Crusaders' Sonny Bill Williams during boxing training in New Zealand, June 1, 2011 Getty Images

All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams has confirmed that his next fight will take place just days before the start of the new Super Rugby season.

Williams - who has a clause built into his New Zealand Rugby Union contract to enable him to pursue his other sporting career - will fight for the New Zealand heavyweight title on February 8 - 17 days before he takes his bow for the Chiefs. His opponent is Aucklander Richard Tutaki who has a record of 19 wins, 21 losses and one draw.

The 26-year-old former rugby league star - who has turned out for the Crusaders in the past and was part of the World Cup-winning squad - has won all four of his professional bouts thus far with two by knock-out.