Cleveland Williams

Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams (June 30, 1933 – September 3, 1999) was a 20th-century American heavyweight boxer. A Ring magazine poll rated him as one of the finest boxers never to win a title.

Cleveland Williams
Statistics
Real nameCleveland Williams
Nickname(s)Big Cat
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Nationality American
Born(1933-06-30)June 30, 1933
Griffin, Georgia
DiedSeptember 3, 1999(1999-09-03) (aged 66)
Houston, Texas
Boxing record
Total fights94
Wins80
Wins by KO60
Losses13
Draws1

Early boxing career

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[1] Williams was a top-rated heavyweight. His quest to obtain a title fight, however, was consistently derailed. First he was knocked out by Liston on April 15, 1959, after hurting Liston early and breaking Liston's nose. 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

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 had to undergo four operations in the next seven months for colon damage and an injured right kidney. The right kidney 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, he also lost over 10 feet (3.0 m) of his small intestine, and sustained nerve damage which affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result.[2] 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).[3]

Recovery and return to boxing

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.[4]

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

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

Death

On 3 September 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 the injuries sustained at the Ben Taub Hospital on 15 September 1999 at the age of 66.[5] Williams's body was buried in Paradise North Cemetery in Houston.[6]

Tributes

He ended his career with a record of 80 wins (60 KOs), 13 losses and 1 draw. 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. George Chuvalo also said Williams was one of the hardest punchers he had faced in his own professional career. Williams, aged 38, was decisioned by veteran Chuvalo over 10 rounds at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, in November 1971.[7]

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

Professional boxing record
80 Wins (60 knockouts, 20 decisions), 13 Losses (8 knockouts, 5 decisions), 1 Draw [8]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Win 78–13–1 Roberto Davila UD 10 October 28, 1972 Denver, Colorado
Win 77–13–1 Bob Mashburn KO 9 July 10, 1972 Denver, Colorado Mashburn knocked out at 0:51 of the ninth round.
Win 76–13–1 Terry Daniels UD 12 May 11, 1972 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas Texas Heavyweight Title.
Loss 75–13–1 George Chuvalo UD 10 November 17, 1971 Astrodome, Houston, Texas 93–98, 94–97, 93–98
Loss 75–12–1 Jack O'Halloran SD 10 September 21, 1971 Houston, Texas
Win 75–11–1 Ted Gullick MD 10 April 28, 1971 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio 46–46, 47–43, 48–46
Loss 74–11–1 Al "Blue" Lewis TKO 4 October 21, 1970 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan
Win 74–10–1 Roberto Davila UD 10 May 26, 1970 Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 98–94, 99–91, 97–94
Win 73–10–1 Eddie Brooks KO 1 April 14, 1970 Milwaukee Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin Brooks knocked out at 2:49 of the first round.
Win 72–10–1 Leroy Caldwell TKO 10 December 9, 1969 Orlando, Florida
Loss 71–10–1 Mac Foster KO 3 November 18, 1969 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Loss 71–9–1 Mac Foster TKO 5 September 13, 1969 Selland Arena, Fresno, California Referee stopped the bout at 1:35 of the fifth round.
Loss 71–8–1 Al Jones TKO 8 May 20, 1969 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida Referee stopped the bout at 0:11 of the eighth round.
Win 71–7–1 Charley Polite UD 10 March 18, 1969 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Loss 70–7–1 Bob Cleroux UD 10 November 21, 1968 Montreal Forum, Montreal, Canada 45–47, 44–49, 47–49
Win 70–6–1 Moses Harrell TKO 7 October 7, 1968 Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
Win 69–6–1 Jean-Claude Roy UD 10 August 6, 1968 Houston, Texas
Win 68–6–1 Leslie Borden KO 1 June 25, 1968 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Win 67–6–1 Mike Bruce KO 1 June 11, 1968 Houston, Texas
Win 66–6–1 Roy Crear KO 1 May 21, 1968 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Loss 65–6–1 Muhammad Ali TKO 3 November 14, 1966 Astrodome, Houston, Texas For WBC, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
Win 65–5–1 Tod Herring TKO 3 June 28, 1966 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Win 64–5–1 Sonny "Policeman" Moore PTS 10 April 19, 1966 Houston, Texas
Win 63–5–1 M.J. Turnbow UD 10 March 22, 1966 Houston, Texas
Win 62–5–1 "Big" Ben Black KO 1 February 8, 1966 Houston, Texas
Win 61–5–1 Billy "The Barber" Daniels PTS 10 September 30, 1964 Houston, Texas
Win 60–5–1 Sonny Banks KO 6 July 21, 1964 Houston, Texas
Win 59–5–1 Tommy Fields PTS 10 April 7, 1964 Houston, Texas
Win 58–5–1 Roger Rischer KO 3 October 8, 1963 Houston, Texas
Win 57–5–1 Kirk Barrow KO 3 August 13, 1963 Houston, Texas
Loss 56–5–1 Ernie Terrell SD 10 April 13, 1963 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 44–46, 46–44, 44–46
Win 56–4–1 Young Jack Johnson TKO 10 April 2, 1963 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Win 55–4–1 Billy Daniels UD 10 March 9, 1963 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida 97–92, 98–93, 98–91
Win 54–4–1 David E. Bailey KO 5 October 23, 1962 Houston, Texas
Draw 53–4–1 Eddie Machen MD 10 July 10, 1962 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas 96–96, 96–96, 97–94
Win 53–4 Alonzo Johnson KO 1 May 15, 1962 Houston, Texas
Win 52–4 Ernie Terrell TKO 7 April 3, 1962 Houston, Texas Referee stopped the bout at 1:43 of the seventh round.
Win 51–4 Jim Wyley KO 1 December 19, 1961 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas Wyley knocked out at 0:44 of the first round.
Win 50–4 Alex Miteff TKO 5 May 16, 1961 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas Referee stopped the bout at 1:32 of the fifth round.
Win 49–4 Wayne Bethea PTS 10 February 7, 1961 Houston, Texas
Win 48–4 Johnny Hayden KO 2 December 7, 1960 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 47–4 George Moore KO 4 November 1, 1960 Houston, Texas
Win 46–4 "Big" Ben Marshall KO 2 October 24, 1960 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas Marshall knocked out at 2:24 of the second round.
Loss 45–4 Sonny Liston TKO 2 March 21, 1960 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas Referee stopped the bout at 2:13 of the second round.
Win 45–3 Curley Lee KO 10 October 14, 1959 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas Lee knocked out at 0:58 of the tenth round.
Win 44–3 Ernie Cab KO 3 May 26, 1959 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas Cab knocked out at 1:05 of the third round.
Loss 43–3 Sonny Liston TKO 3 April 15, 1959 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida Referee stopped the bout at 2:13 of the third round.
Win 43–2 Ollie Wilson KO 3 January 13, 1959 Houston, Texas Wilson knocked out at 1:36 of the third round.
Win 42–2 Howie Turner PTS 10 December 9, 1958 Houston, Texas
Win 41–2 Frankie Daniels UD 10 June 3, 1958 Houston, Texas
Win 40–2 Dick Richardson DQ 4 March 25, 1958 Empress Hall, Earl's Court, Kensington, London
Win 39–2 Gene "Rock" White TKO 1 February 4, 1958 Houston, Texas Referee stopped the bout at 2:38 of the first round.
Win 38–2 Frankie Daniels UD 10 December 3, 1957 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 37–2 John Holman KO 7 October 15, 1957 Houston, Texas
Win 36–2 Bob Albright KO 7 September 17, 1957 Houston, Texas
Win 35–2 Clifford Gray KO 1 July 23, 1957 Houston, Texas
Win 34–2 J.D. Marshall KO 2 July 15, 1957 Tyler, Texas
Win 33–2 Johnny Mason KO 1 June 11, 1957 Houston, Texas
Win 32–2 Johnny Hollins KO 3 August 6, 1956 City Coliseum, Austin, Texas
Loss 31–2 Bob Satterfield KO 3 June 22, 1954 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 31–1 Sylvester Jones KO 7 June 8, 1954 Tampa, Florida
Win 30–1 Jimmy Walls TKO 1 March 9, 1954 Tampa, Florida
Win 29–1 Claude Rolfe KO 3 October 21, 1953 Charlotte, North Carolina
Win 28–1 Bo Willis KO 2 October 20, 1953 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Loss 27–1 Sylvester Jones PTS 4 September 24, 1953 Polo Grounds, New York City
Win 27–0 Keene Simmons PTS 10 September 2, 1953 Tampa, Florida
Win 26–0 Omelio Agramonte PTS 10 May 12, 1953 Tampa, Florida
Win 25–0 Ponce DeLeon Taylor KO 2 March 24, 1953 Tampa, Florida
Win 24–0 Terry O'Connor KO 3 March 12, 1953 Minneapolis, Minnesota
Win 23–0 Ponce DeLeon Taylor PTS 8 March 4, 1953 Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida
Win 22–0 Abie Gibson KO 1 January 13, 1953 Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
Win 21–0 Graveyard Walters KO 2 December 8, 1952 Daytona Beach, Florida
Win 20–0 Claude Rolfe KO 9 November 25, 1952 Tampa, Florida
Win 19–0 Johnny Hollins KO 1 October 3, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana Hollins knocked out at 2:48 of the first round.
Win 18–0 J.J. McFadden KO 6 September 23, 1952 Philadelphia Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Win 17–0 Art Henri TKO 8 September 16, 1952 Miami Beach, Florida
Win 16–0 Roosevelt Holmes KO 1 September 12, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana Holmes knocked out at 2:10 of the first round.
Win 15–0 Baby Booze KO 1 September 2, 1952 Tampa, Florida
Win 14–0 Candy McDaniels KO 2 August 12, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 13–0 Sam Harold KO 4 July 25, 1952 Macon, Georgia
Win 12–0 Lee Raymond TKO 5 July 22, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 11–0 Jimmy Felton KO 3 July 8, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 10–0 Eddie Lee Williams KO 1 June 24, 1952 Daytona Beach, Florida
Win 9–0 Harry Turner KO 1 June 17, 1952 Tampa, Florida
Win 8–0 Paul Favrot KO 4 June 10, 1952 Tampa, Florida
Win 7–0 Ray Brown KO 3 May 28, 1952 Miami Beach Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida
Win 6–0 Johnny Fowler KO 5 April 15, 1952 Tampa, Florida
Win 5–0 Ray Banks KO 1 March 28, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana Banks knocked out at 1:35 of the first round.
Win 4–0 Roosevelt Holmes UD 6 February 29, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Win 3–0 Rudolph Wood KO 2 February 26, 1952 Fort Homer W. Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida
Win 2–0 Ray Banks TKO 1 February 15, 1952 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana
Win 1–0 Lee Hunt KO 3 December 11, 1951 Tampa, Florida

References
  1. BoxRec, Cleveland Williams.
  2. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19641130&id=6FUaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iycEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5058,6536612&hl=en
  3. "Williams, Patrolman Meet Again—as Pals". The Spokesman-Review. Associated Press. November 14, 1966.
  4. https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/15/sports/cleveland-williams-66-loser-to-ali-for-title-dies.html
  5. '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
  6. Entry for Williams' grave in Findagrave website (2019). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6715/cleveland-williams
  7. http://boxrec.com/boxer/9382
  8. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9382&cat=boxer
  • ALI's DOZEN, ESPN Home Entertainment/Genius Entertainment, 2007.
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