Sonny Bill to fight for NZ heavyweight title

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) -All Blacks rugby star Sonny Bill Williams says he will fight for the vacant New Zealand heavyweight title next year in only the fifth bout of his professional boxing career.

Williams signed a new one-year contract with the New Zealand Rugby Union last month which includes a clause allowing him to pursue his alternative career in boxing.

The 26-year-old rugby league convert is unbeaten in his four professional bouts to date, winning two on points and two by technical knockout, though his opponents have generally been part-timers.

Williams told a news conference on Tuesday the bout, against an opponent yet to be named, will take place in the city of Hamilton on Feb. 8, 17 days before his Waikato Chiefs team play the first match of their 2012 Super 15 season.