Carl Williams (boxer)


Carl Williams, nicknamed "the Truth", was an American boxer who competed as a professional from 1982 to 1997. He challenged twice for heavyweight world titles; the IBF title against Larry Holmes in 1985; and the undisputed title against Mike Tyson in 1989. At regional level he held the USBA heavyweight title from 1987 to 1991.

Early years

Williams spent his childhood in South Jamaica, Queens. He was raised by his grandmother. After his grandmother died, Williams began to box at the age of nineteen, training with the Daniel M. O'Connell Park Gym in Saint Albans, New York, walking six miles to his gym and back each day, and showing a natural talent and determination. "He's a natural, no question about that," said his trainer, Vic Hanson.

Amateur career

With a couple of amateur fights under his belt Williams won two New York Golden Gloves Championships. Williams won both the 1980 New York Golden Gloves Sub-Novice Heavyweight Championship and the 1981 Heavyweight Open Championship.

Highlights

  • Williams stopped John Kibelka of the New York City Recreation in the finals of the 1980 Sub-Novice Heavyweight Championship.
  • Three knockouts and one decision propelled Williams into the 1981 Golden Gloves. In 1981 Williams stopped Ronald Turner of the 25th Precinct in the heavyweight finals of the 55th New York Golden Gloves at 2:08.
  • Williams won the heavyweight Intercity Golden Gloves over Craig Bodzianowski of Chicago, April 27, 1981 at the Madison Square Garden. "punching like a cruise missile," in words of sports writer Tom Hanrahan
At that time he wanted to fight the '81 open champ, Mitch Green from Bronx, who has since turned pro.
His other notable achievements include:
at the North American Championships, Shreveport, Louisiana, September 1981:
  • 1/2: Defeated Patrick Fennel RSC 3
  • Finals: Defeated Roberto Gomez
at the Boxing World Cup, Montreal, Canada, November 1981:
  • 1/2: Defeated Nam Hee Kim KO 1
  • Finals: Defeated Alexander Yagubkin by unanimous decision, 5–0
Williams finished his amateur career with 22 fights, completing a record of 21–1.

Professional career

Williams soon turned pro, signing a contract with Ron Katz of the Top Rank. After the initial successes, he moved to a suburban motel in White Plains, New York, in order to concentrate on training and to stay away from big-city temptations. He was trained by Carmen Graziano.
Williams' is perhaps best known for his memorable first title shot was against Larry Holmes, a fight he lost in a controversial decision. His next fight was a victory against Jesse Ferguson. He then suffered a devastating knockout loss to Mike Weaver, which took him sixteen months to regain his shape and get back to the ring.
Williams eventually fought Mike Tyson, in a battle for the undisputed heavyweight championship. The first round knockout loss to Tyson in 1989 was a devastating defeat for Williams. Midway through the round, Tyson slipped a jab from Williams and loaded up with one of the most devastating counter-punches of his career, smashing Williams and sending him down for an eight count. The referee waved off the fight and Williams immediately launched a mild protest to the official and ringside judges but to no avail. He believed that the fight was stopped too early and he was not given more of an opportunity to demonstrate to the official that he was not disoriented after the knock-down. In a post fight in-ring interview, Williams appeared to be uninjured, spoke clearly, and expressed his disappointment that he was not given the opportunity to "show my stuff." Williams also called for a rematch, however this never occurred.
After the defeat by Tyson, Williams became a journeyman heavyweight. His other notable fights include losses to Larry Holmes, Tim Witherspoon, Tommy Morrison, and Frank Bruno, and wins against Bert Cooper and Trevor Berbick.
Williams retired in 1997 with a professional record of 30–10–0–1 with 21 knockouts.

After retirement

Williams worked for Allied-SpectaGuard in New York City at the World Trade Center as a security agent and field supervisor. After the September 11 attacks, Williams worked for Verizon in Queens, New York, as a security guard. Later he worked for Forte Security Group in New York City, as a security guard at the Copacabana and Marquee nightclubs until he became ill.

Death

Williams died on April 7, 2013, of esophageal cancer. He was survived by a daughter, Carla, and a son, Daniel. He was predeceased by his 12-year-old daughter Nijah, who died of leukemia.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
41LossAnthony GreenTKO7 Oct 30, 1997Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, New York, U.S.
40Win30–9 Marion WilsonUD10Jun 13, 1997Capitol Theatre, Port Chester, New York, U.S.
39Win29–9 Domingo MonroePTS8Nov 27, 1996Whitman Armory, Whitman, Massachusetts, U.S.
38Win28–9 Lou TurchiarelliTKO2, 2:15Aug 2, 1996Huntington Hilton Hotel, Melville, New York, U.S.
37Win27–9 Sean HartDQ3 May 31, 1996Hilton Rye Town Hotel, Rye Brook, New York, U.S.
36Loss26–9 Melvin FosterUD10Mar 17, 1995Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
35Loss26–8 Alexandr ZolkinTKO7, 2:55Jul 22, 1994Southern Belle Casino, Tunica Resorts, Mississippi, U.S.Referee stopped the bout at 2:55 of the seventh round.
34Loss26–7 Frank BrunoTKO10, 0:29Apr 24, 1993National Exhibition Centre, Solihull, England
33Loss26–6 Tommy MorrisonTKO8, 2:10Jan 16, 1993Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
32Win26–5 Jimmy Lee SmithTKO3, 2:59Nov 3, 1992Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, U.S.
31Win25–5 Ossie OcasioUD10Aug 20, 1992Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
30Loss24–5 Jerry JonesUD10Mar 22, 1992Harrah's Marina Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
29Win24–4 Marshall TillmanTKO2, 2:37Jan 12, 1992Harrah's Marina Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2823–4 Kimmuel OdumNC10Oct 15, 1991Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Originally a UD win for Williams, later ruled an NC for unknown reasons
27Loss23–4Tim WitherspoonSD12Mar 8, 1991Trump Taj Mahal, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Lost USBA heavyweight title
26Win23–3Melton BowenTKO5, 2:00Jul 24, 1990Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained USBA heavyweight title
25Loss22–3Mike TysonTKO1, 1:33Jul 21, 1989Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.For WBA, WBC, and IBF heavyweight titles
24Win22–2Mike RouseTKO3, 1:20Nov 10, 1988Caesars Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada, U.S.Retained USBA heavyweight title
23Win21–2Trevor BerbickUD12Jun 27, 1988Convention Center, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained USBA heavyweight title
22Win20–2Rodney FrazierTKO1, 2:56Jan 27, 1988Golden Hall, San Diego, California, U.S.Retained USBA heavyweight title
21Win19–2Mike GansTKO7, 0:41Oct 17, 1987Harrah's Marina Resort, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
20Win18–2Bert CooperRTD7, 3:00Jun 21, 1987Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won USBA heavyweight title
19Loss17–2Mike WeaverTKO2, 2:37Feb 16, 1986Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York, U.S.
18Win17–1Jesse FergusonTKO10, 0:37Aug 31, 1985Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Loss16–1Larry HolmesUD15May 20, 1985Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.For IBF and The Ring heavyweight titles
16Win16–0James TillisUD10Oct 23, 1984Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win15–0Terry MimsTKO3, 2:14Aug 9, 1984Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
14Win14–0Lou Benson Jr.RTD2, 3:00Mar 7, 1984Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
13Win13–0Percell DavisTKO4, 2:20Sep 9, 1983Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
12Win12–0Woody ClarkUD10Aug 16, 1983Playboy Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
11Win11–0David JacoRTD1, 3:00Jun 30, 1983Sands, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0Robert HillTKO3, 2:15Apr 24, 1983Showboat Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0Richard CadeTKO1, 2:59Feb 18, 1983Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
8Win8–0Leroy BooneUD8Dec 9, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
7Win7–0Michael GreerTKO3, 2:13Oct 22, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
6Win6–0David StarkeyTKO3, 2:57Aug 20, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
5Win5–0Barry FunchesTKO6, 2:40Jun 11, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
4Win4–0Donny TownsendKO1, 1:29May 28, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
3Win3–0Louis AlexanderTKO2, 2:24Apr 30, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
2Win2–0Dwight TriplettTKO1, 2:52Mar 31, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
1Win1–0Greg StephanyUD4Jan 22, 1982Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.