Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams (June 30, 1933 – September 10, 1999) was an American professional boxer. A poll in The Ring magazine rated him as one of the finest boxers never to win a title.

Cleveland Williams
Born(1933-06-30)June 30, 1933
DiedSeptember 10, 1999(1999-09-10) (aged 66)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Other namesBig Cat
Statistics
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)[1]
Reach80 in (203 cm)[1]
Boxing record
Total fights97
Wins82
Wins by KO62
Losses13
Draws2

Early life edit

Born in Griffin, Georgia, Williams started working at a pulpwood mill at the age of 13, and began his professional boxing career in his home state just a year later. He reported winning four of his first six fights, but was barred from competing until he turned 18 after an official learned of his age.

Early boxing career edit

Williams turned professional in 1951 and fought many of the best heavyweights of his era. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the 6 ft 2 in[2] Williams was a top-rated heavyweight. His quest to obtain a title fight, however, was consistently derailed. First he was knocked out by Sonny Liston on April 15, 1959.[3] Williams recovered from the Liston fight to score more wins, but was again stopped by Liston in two rounds in their rematch on March 21, 1960. His quest for the title was later stalled when he was held to a draw by Eddie Machen on July 10, 1962, and when he dropped a split decision on March 13, 1963, to Ernie Terrell, a fighter he had previously knocked out in seven rounds in 1962. During this time frame, he defeated Billy Daniels.

Police shooting incident edit

On the evening of November 29, 1964, during the height of the civil unrest of the American Civil Rights Movement, a car driven by Williams was stopped near Houston, Texas, by highway Patrolman Dale Witten, who stated afterwards Williams was speeding. According to the police report Williams resisted arrest, and the officer's .357 magnum revolver went off during an ensuing struggle, hitting Williams in the stomach and lodging in his right hip. Williams underwent four operations over the subsequent seven months to address injuries to his colon and right kidney. The right kidney ultimately had to be removed in June 1965. Doctors could not extract the bullet, which had broken his right hip joint and caused partial paralysis of some of the hip's muscles, over 10 feet (3.0 m) of his small intestine had to be removed, and nerve damage affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result.[4] Hugh Benbow, his manager, and Sonny Liston, former world champion, visited Cleveland Williams in the hospital. After his partial recovery Williams was fined $50 and briefly jailed after pleading no contest to charges arising from the incident. (Patrolman Witten visited Williams to wish him luck the day before his 1966 fight with Muhammad Ali, with both men saying they had "no hard feelings" toward the other).[5]

Recovery and return to boxing edit

The injury, surgeries and subsequent convalescence caused Williams to lose over 60 pounds, and over 17 months of his career. He regained his weight and strength by tossing 80-pound bales of hay daily on a cattle ranch till he had regained his fighting weight and physique. On February 8, 1966, Williams received a standing ovation from the Houston crowd as he returned to the ring, and knocked out Ben Black in the first round.[6]

Williams competed for the heavyweight championship against Muhammad Ali on November 14, 1966, but was badly outclassed, and was knocked down twice in the third round ending the match. Williams retired from boxing after the 1966 Championship defeat, but later made a comeback. Although able to defeat journeymen fighters, he suffered several knockout losses before retiring permanently in 1972.

Later life edit

The Ring in the 1980s reported he worked as a forklift truck driver in his later years.[citation needed]

Death edit

On September 3, 1999, Williams was knocked down by a car in a hit and run accident while walking across a street in Houston, Texas; he died of his injuries at Ben Taub Hospital on September 10, 1999, at the age of 66.[7] Williams was buried in Paradise North Cemetery in Houston.

Tributes edit

He ended his career with a record of 82 wins (62 KOs), 13 losses and 2 draws. George Foreman interviewed in retirement described Williams as possessing one of the three hardest punches he had experienced professionally, also stating that he and Williams had been sparring partners in their early careers.[citation needed] George Chuvalo also said Williams was one of the hardest punchers he had faced in his own professional career. Williams, aged 38, lost by decision to veteran Chuvalo over 10 rounds at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, in November 1971.[8] Sonny Liston stated Williams was the hardest puncher he'd ever been in the ring with.

In 2003 Williams was ranked 49th in The Ring's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

Professional boxing record edit

97 fights 82 wins 13 losses
By knockout 62 8
By decision 19 5
By disqualification 1 0
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
97 Win 82–13–2 Roberto Davila UD 10 Oct 28, 1973 40 years, 120 days Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, US
96 Win 81–13–2 Bob Mashburn KO 9 (10), 0:51 Jul 10, 1972 39 years, 10 days Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US
95 Win 80–13–2 Terry Daniels UD 12 May 11, 1972 38 years, 316 days Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, US Won vacant Texas State heavyweight title
94 Loss 79–13–2 George Chuvalo UD 10 Nov 17, 1971 38 years, 140 days Astrodome, Houston, Texas, US
93 Loss 79–12–2 Jack O'Halloran SD 10 Sep 21, 1971 38 years, 83 days Houston, Texas, US
92 Win 79–11–2 Ted Gullick MD 10 Apr 28, 1971 37 years, 302 days Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US
91 Loss 78–11–2 Alvin Lewis TKO 4 (10), 2:39 Oct 21, 1970 37 years, 113 days Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
90 Win 78–10–2 Roberto Davila UD 10 May 26, 1970 36 years, 330 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
89 Win 77–10–2 Eddie Brooks TKO 1 (12), 2:49 Apr 14, 1970 36 years, 288 days Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
88 Win 76–10–2 Leroy Caldwell TKO 10 (10) Dec 9, 1969 36 years, 162 days Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, US
87 Loss 75–10–2 Mac Foster TKO 3 (10), 1:37 Nov 18, 1969 36 years, 141 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
86 Loss 75–9–2 Mac Foster TKO 5 (10), 1:35 Sep 13, 1969 36 years, 75 days Selland Arena, Fresno, California, US
85 Loss 75–8–2 Al Jones TKO 8 (10), 0:11 May 20, 1969 35 years, 324 days Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, US
84 Win 75–7–2 Charley Polite UD 10 Mar 18, 1969 35 years, 261 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
83 Loss 74–7–2 Bob Cleroux UD 10 Nov 21, 1968 35 years, 144 days Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
82 Win 74–6–2 Moses Harrell TKO 7 (10), 2:26 Oct 7, 1968 35 years, 99 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
81 Win 73–6–2 Jean Roy UD 10 Aug 6, 1968 35 years, 37 days Houston, Texas, US
80 Win 72–6–2 Leslie Borden KO 1 (10) Jun 25, 1968 34 years, 361 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
79 Win 71–6–2 Mike Bruce KO 1 (10), 2:22 Jun 11, 1968 34 years, 347 days Houston, Texas, US
78 Win 70–6–2 Roy Crear KO 1 (10) May 21, 1968 34 years, 326 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
77 Loss 69–6–2 Muhammad Ali TKO 3 (15), 1:28 Nov 14, 1966 33 years, 137 days Astrodome, Houston, Texas, US For WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
76 Win 69–5–2 Tod Herring TKO 3 (10), 0:25 Jun 28, 1966 32 years, 363 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
75 Win 68–5–2 Sonny Moore UD 10 Apr 19, 1966 32 years, 293 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
74 Win 67–5–2 Mel Turnbow UD 10 Mar 22, 1966 32 years, 265 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
73 Win 66–5–2 Ben Black KO 1 (10) Feb 8, 1966 32 years, 223 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
72 Win 65–5–2 Billy Daniels UD 10 Sep 30, 1964 31 years, 92 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
71 Win 64–5–2 Sonny Banks TKO 6 (10) Jul 21, 1964 31 years, 21 days Houston, Texas, US
70 Win 63–5–2 Tommy Fields UD 10 Apr 7, 1964 30 years, 282 days Houston, Texas, US
69 Win 62–5–2 Roger Rischer KO 3 (10) Oct 8, 1963 30 years, 100 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
68 Win 61–5–2 Kirk Barrow KO 3 (10), 2:15 Aug 13, 1963 30 years, 44 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
67 Loss 60–5–2 Ernie Terrell SD 10 Apr 13, 1963 29 years, 287 days Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
66 Win 60–4–2 Young Jack Johnson TKO 10 (10) Apr 2, 1963 29 years, 276 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
65 Win 59–4–2 Billy Daniels UD 10 Mar 9, 1963 29 years, 252 days Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, US
64 Win 58–4–2 Dave Bailey KO 5 (10), 2:56 Oct 23, 1962 29 years, 115 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
63 Draw 57–4–2 Eddie Machen PTS 10 Jul 10, 1962 29 years, 10 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
62 Win 57–4–1 Alonzo Johnson KO 1 (10) May 15, 1962 28 years, 319 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
61 Win 56–4–1 Ernie Terrell TKO 7 (10), 1:43 Apr 3, 1962 28 years, 277 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
60 Win 55–4–1 James Wiley KO 1 (10) Dec 19, 1961 28 years, 172 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
59 Win 54–4–1 Alex Miteff TKO 5 (10), 1:32 May 16, 1961 27 years, 320 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
58 Win 53–4–1 Wayne Bethea UD 10 Feb 7, 1961 27 years, 222 days Houston, Texas, US
57 Win 52–4–1 Johnny Hayden KO 2 (10) Dec 7, 1960 27 years, 160 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
56 Win 51–4–1 George Moore KO 4 (10) Nov 1, 1960 27 years, 124 days Houston, Texas, US
55 Win 50–4–1 Ben Marshall KO 2 (10) Oct 24, 1960 27 years, 116 days Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, US
54 Loss 49–4–1 Sonny Liston TKO 2 (10), 2:13 Mar 21, 1960 26 years, 265 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
53 Win 49–3–1 Curley Lee KO 10 (10), 0:58 Oct 14, 1959 26 years, 106 days Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
52 Win 48–3–1 Ernie Cab KO 8 (10), 1:05 May 26, 1959 25 years, 330 days Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
51 Loss 47–3–1 Sonny Liston TKO 3 (10), 2:04 Apr 15, 1959 25 years, 289 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
50 Win 47–2–1 Ollie Wilson KO 3 (10) Jan 13, 1959 25 years, 197 days Houston, Texas, US
49 Win 46–2–1 Howie Turner PTS 10 Dec 9, 1958 25 years, 162 days Houston, Texas, US
48 Win 45–2–1 Frankie Daniels UD 10 Jun 3, 1958 24 years, 338 days Houston, Texas, US
47 Win 44–2–1 Dick Richardson DQ 4 (10) Mar 25, 1958 24 years, 268 days Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK
46 Win 43–2–1 Gene White TKO 1 (10), 2:38 Feb 4, 1958 24 years, 219 days Houston, Texas, US
45 Win 42–2–1 Frankie Daniels UD 10 Dec 3, 1957 24 years, 156 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
44 Win 41–2–1 John Holman KO 7 (10) Oct 15, 1957 24 years, 107 days Houston, Texas, US
43 Win 40–2–1 Bob Albright KO 7 (10) Sep 17, 1957 24 years, 79 days Houston, Texas, US
42 Win 39–2–1 Clifford Gray KO 1 (10) Jul 23, 1957 24 years, 23 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
41 Win 38–2–1 J.D. Marshall TKO 2 (10), 2:40 Jul 15, 1957 24 years, 15 days Tyler, Texas, US
40 Win 37–2–1 Johnny Mason KO 1 (10) Jun 11, 1957 23 years, 346 days Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
39 Win 36–2–1 Johnny Hollins TKO 3 (10) Aug 6, 1956 23 years, 37 days City Coliseum, Austin, Texas, US
38 Loss 35–2–1 Bob Satterfield KO 3 (10), 1:03 Jun 22, 1954 20 years, 357 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
37 Win 35–1–1 Sylvester Jones KO 6 (10) Jun 8, 1954 20 years, 343 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
36 Win 34–1–1 Jimmy Walls TKO 1 (10), 2:43 Mar 9, 1954 20 years, 252 days Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US
35 Win 33–1–1 Jack Walsh KO 8 (10) Nov 10, 1953 20 years, 133 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
34 Win 32–1–1 Bo Willis KO 2 (10) Oct 20, 1953 20 years, 112 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
33 Win 31–1–1 Claude Rolfe KO 3 (10), 2:10 Oct 1, 1953 20 years, 93 days Armory, Charlotte, North Carolina, US
32 Loss 30–1–1 Sylvester Jones PTS 4 Sep 24, 1953 20 years, 86 days Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US
31 Win 30–0–1 Keene Simmons UD 10 Sep 1, 1953 20 years, 63 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
30 Win 29–0–1 Omelio Agramonte UD 10 May 12, 1953 19 years, 316 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
29 Win 28–0–1 Bob Garner KO 7 (10) Mar 31, 1953 19 years, 274 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
28 Win 27–0–1 Ponce de Leon KO 2 (10) Mar 24, 1953 19 years, 267 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
27 Win 26–0–1 Terry O'Connor TKO 3 (8) Mar 12, 1953 19 years, 255 days Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
26 Win 25–0–1 Ponce de Leon PTS 8 Mar 4, 1953 19 years, 247 days Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, US
25 Win 24–0–1 Abie Gibson KO 1 (10), 1:22 Jan 13, 1953 19 years, 197 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
24 Win 23–0–1 Graveyard Walters KO 2 (10) Dec 8, 1952 19 years, 161 days Beach Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, US
23 Win 22–0–1 Claude Rolfe KO 9 (10), 1:55 Nov 25, 1952 19 years, 148 days Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US
22 Win 21–0–1 Johnny Hollins KO 1 (10), 2:48 Oct 3, 1952 19 years, 95 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
21 Win 20–0–1 Joe McFadden TKO 3 (6), 2:09 Sep 23, 1952 19 years, 85 days Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
20 Win 19–0–1 Art Henri TKO 8 (10), 0:30 Sep 16, 1952 19 years, 78 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
19 Win 18–0–1 Roosevelt Holmes KO 1 (10), 2:10 Sep 12, 1952 19 years, 74 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
18 Win 17–0–1 Baby Booze KO 1 (6) Sep 2, 1952 19 years, 64 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
17 Win 16–0–1 Candy McDaniels KO 2 (10) Aug 12, 1952 19 years, 43 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
16 Win 15–0–1 Sam Harold KO 4 (6) Jul 25, 1952 19 years, 25 days City Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, US
15 Win 14–0–1 Lee Raymond TKO 5 (10) Jul 22, 1952 19 years, 22 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
14 Win 13–0–1 Jimmy Felton KO 3 (8) Jul 8, 1952 19 years, 8 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
13 Win 12–0–1 Eddie Joe Williams KO 1 (8) Jun 24, 1952 18 years, 360 days Daytona Beach, Florida, US
12 Win 11–0–1 Harry Turner KO 1 (8) Jun 17, 1952 18 years, 353 days Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US
11 Win 10–0–1 Paul Favorite KO 4 (10) Jun 10, 1952 18 years, 346 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
10 Win 9–0–1 Ray Brown KO 3 (6) May 28, 1952 18 years, 333 days Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
9 Win 8–0–1 Johnny Fowler KO 5 (6) Apr 15, 1952 18 years, 290 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
8 Win 7–0–1 Ray Banks KO 1 (6) Mar 28, 1952 18 years, 272 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
7 Win 6–0–1 Roosevelt Holmes UD 6 Feb 29, 1952 18 years, 244 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
6 Win 5–0–1 Rudolph Wood KO 2 (4) Feb 26, 1952 18 years, 241 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
5 Win 4–0–1 Ray Banks TKO 1 (6) Feb 15, 1952 18 years, 230 days Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
4 Win 3–0–1 Lee Hunt KO 2 (4) Dec 11, 1951 18 years, 164 days Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
3 Draw 2–0–1 Dan Bolston PTS 4 Nov 16, 1949 16 years, 139 days City Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, US
2 Win 2–0 Phillip Nelson TKO 3 (4) Jun 30, 1949 16 years, 0 days Griffin High School Gym, Griffin, Georgia, US
1 Win 1–0 Al Williams TKO 2 (4) Mar 25, 1949 15 years, 268 days Griffin High School Gym, Griffin, Georgia, US

References edit

  1. ^ a b Boxing record for Cleveland Williams from BoxRec (registration required)
  2. ^ BoxRec, Cleveland Williams.
  3. ^ https://coxscorner.tripod.com/liston_cf.html#:~:text=Liston%20lost%20his%20eighth%20fight,a%20sixth%20round%20kayo%20win.
  4. ^ https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19641130&id=6FUaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iycEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5058,6536612&hl=en[dead link]
  5. ^ "Williams, Patrolman Meet Again—as Pals". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 14, 1966.
  6. ^ Goldstein, Richard (15 September 1999). "Cleveland Williams, 66, Loser to Ali for Title, Dies". The New York Times.
  7. ^ 'Cleveland Williams Dies', New York Times, 15 September 1999. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/15/sports/cleveland-williams-66-loser-to-ali-for-title-dies.html
  8. ^ "BoxRec: Cleveland Williams".
  • ALI's DOZEN, ESPN Home Entertainment/Genius Entertainment, 2007.

External links edit