Cleveland Williams

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Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams (June 6, 1933—September 3, 1999) was an American heavyweight boxer who fought in the 1950's, 60's and 70's. A Ring Magazine poll once rated him as one of the finest boxers who never won a title. Williams turned professional in 1951 and fought the best heavyweights of his era. He is best known for the two brutal bouts he had with Sonny Liston. Liston often said Williams was the hardest puncher he ever fought. Many have accused the champion at the time, Floyd Patterson, of "ducking" Williams. However, Williams did get a chance to fight for the title against Muhammad Ali in 1966. Ali knocked him out in the third round. Williams retired from boxing in 1972. In 1999, Cleveland Williams was tragically killed in a hit and run accident.

Muhammad Ali's fight with Williams on (November 14, 1966) is often cited as the champion's greatest performance before his forced layoff. Few know, however, that Williams was a physically diminished fighter from the feared contender he once had been. In fact, Williams had been inactive the entire year of 1965 while recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered at the hands of a policeman arising out of traffic stop. Williams was shot with a .357 magnum in the abdomen, barely survived, and suffered permanent kidney damage as a result.

During the late 1950's and early 1960's the 6'3 Williams was a top rated heavyweight. His quest to obtain a title fight, however, was consistently derailed by losses or poor performances. First he was KOed by Sonny Liston on April 15, 1959, after hurting Liston early and breaking Liston's nose. It is rumored that Liston's corner rubbed a caustic solution on Liston's gloves which temporarily blinded Williams and allowed Liston to regain the advantage in the bout. Similar claims were made to explain the burning and stinging sensation Ali suffered in the fifth round of his title match with Liston.

Williams recovered from the Liston fight to score more wins, but was again stopped by Liston in 2 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 to Ernie Terrell on March 13, 1963, a fighter he had previously KOed in 7 rounds.

Williams wisely retired from boxing after the Ali bout, but made an ill advised comeback. Although able to defeat journeymen fighters, he suffered several KO losses before retiring for good in 1972. Williams finished his career with a record of 78 wins (58 KOs), 13 losses and 1 draw. He was named to the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.