Cleveland Williams


Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams was an American professional boxer. A poll in The Ring magazine rated him as one of the finest boxers never to win a title.

Early life

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

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 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. 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 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 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. 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..

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.
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 September 3, 1999, Williams was knocked down by a car in a hit and run 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. Williams was buried in Paradise North Cemetery in Houston.

Tributes

He ended his career with a record of 82 wins, 13 losses and 2 draws. During an interview after his retirement, George Foreman described Williams as having one of the three hardest punches he had experienced professionally, also stating that he and Williams had been sparring partners early in their careers. 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. Sonny Liston stated Williams was the hardest puncher he'd ever been in the ring with.
In 2003 Williams was ranked 49th in The Rings list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
97WinRoberto DavilaUD10Oct 28, 1973Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, US
96Win81–13–2Bob MashburnKO9, 0:51Jul 10, 1972Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US
95Win80–13–2Terry DanielsUD12May 11, 1972Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, USWon vacant Texas State heavyweight title
94Loss79–13–2George ChuvaloUD10Nov 17, 1971Astrodome, Houston, Texas, US
93Loss79–12–2Jack O'HalloranSD10Sep 21, 1971Houston, Texas, US
92Win79–11–2Ted GullickMD10Apr 28, 1971Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US
91Loss78–11–2Alvin LewisTKO4, 2:39Oct 21, 1970Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US
90Win78–10–2Roberto DavilaUD10May 26, 1970Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
89Win77–10–2Eddie BrooksTKO1, 2:49Apr 14, 1970Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US
88Win76–10–2Leroy CaldwellTKO10 Dec 9, 1969Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, US
87Loss75–10–2Mac FosterTKO3, 1:37Nov 18, 1969Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
86Loss75–9–2Mac FosterTKO5, 1:35Sep 13, 1969Selland Arena, Fresno, California, US
85Loss75–8–2Al JonesTKO8, 0:11May 20, 1969Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, US
84Win75–7–2Charley PoliteUD10Mar 18, 1969Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
83Loss74–7–2Bob ClerouxUD10Nov 21, 1968Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
82Win74–6–2Moses HarrellTKO7, 2:26Oct 7, 1968Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
81Win73–6–2Jean RoyUD10Aug 6, 1968Houston, Texas, US
80Win72–6–2Leslie BordenKO1 Jun 25, 1968Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
79Win71–6–2Mike BruceKO1, 2:22Jun 11, 1968Houston, Texas, US
78Win70–6–2Roy CrearKO1 May 21, 1968Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
77Loss69–6–2Muhammad AliTKO3, 1:28Nov 14, 1966Astrodome, Houston, Texas, USFor WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring heavyweight titles
76Win69–5–2Tod HerringTKO3, 0:25Jun 28, 1966Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
75Win68–5–2Sonny MooreUD10Apr 19, 1966Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
74Win67–5–2Mel TurnbowUD10Mar 22, 1966Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
73Win66–5–2Ben BlackKO1 Feb 8, 1966Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
72Win65–5–2Billy DanielsUD10Sep 30, 1964Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
71Win64–5–2Sonny BanksTKO6 Jul 21, 1964Houston, Texas, US
70Win63–5–2Tommy FieldsUD10Apr 7, 1964Houston, Texas, US
69Win62–5–2Roger RischerKO3 Oct 8, 1963Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
68Win61–5–2Kirk BarrowKO3, 2:15Aug 13, 1963Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
67Loss60–5–2Ernie TerrellSD10Apr 13, 1963Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
66Win60–4–2Young Jack JohnsonTKO10 Apr 2, 1963Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
65Win59–4–2Billy DanielsUD10Mar 9, 1963Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, US
64Win58–4–2Dave BaileyKO5, 2:56Oct 23, 1962Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
63Draw57–4–2Eddie MachenPTS10Jul 10, 1962Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
62Win57–4–1Alonzo JohnsonKO1 May 15, 1962Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
61Win56–4–1Ernie TerrellTKO7, 1:43Apr 3, 1962Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
60Win55–4–1James WileyKO1 Dec 19, 1961Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
59Win54–4–1Alex MiteffTKO5, 1:32May 16, 1961Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
58Win53–4–1Wayne BetheaUD10Feb 7, 1961Houston, Texas, US
57Win52–4–1Johnny HaydenKO2 Dec 7, 1960Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
56Win51–4–1George MooreKO4 Nov 1, 1960Houston, Texas, US
55Win50–4–1Ben MarshallKO2 Oct 24, 1960Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, US
54Loss49–4–1Sonny ListonTKO2, 2:13Mar 21, 1960Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
53Win49–3–1Curley LeeKO10, 0:58Oct 14, 1959Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
52Win48–3–1Ernie CabKO8, 1:05May 26, 1959Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
51Loss47–3–1Sonny ListonTKO3, 2:04Apr 15, 1959Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
50Win47–2–1Ollie WilsonKO3 Jan 13, 1959Houston, Texas, US
49Win46–2–1Howie TurnerPTS10Dec 9, 1958Houston, Texas, US
48Win45–2–1Frankie DanielsUD10Jun 3, 1958Houston, Texas, US
47Win44–2–1Dick RichardsonDQ4 Mar 25, 1958Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK
46Win43–2–1Gene WhiteTKO1, 2:38Feb 4, 1958Houston, Texas, US
45Win42–2–1Frankie DanielsUD10Dec 3, 1957Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
44Win41–2–1John HolmanKO7 Oct 15, 1957Houston, Texas, US
43Win40–2–1Bob AlbrightKO7 Sep 17, 1957Houston, Texas, US
42Win39–2–1Clifford GrayKO1 Jul 23, 1957Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
41Win38–2–1J.D. MarshallTKO2, 2:40Jul 15, 1957Tyler, Texas, US
40Win37–2–1Johnny MasonKO1 Jun 11, 1957Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US
39Win36–2–1Johnny HollinsTKO3 Aug 6, 1956City Coliseum, Austin, Texas, US
38Loss35–2–1Bob SatterfieldKO3, 1:03Jun 22, 1954Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
37Win35–1–1Sylvester JonesKO6 Jun 8, 1954Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
36Win34–1–1Jimmy WallsTKO1, 2:43Mar 9, 1954Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US
35Win33–1–1Jack WalshKO8 Nov 10, 1953Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
34Win32–1–1Bo WillisKO2 Oct 20, 1953Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
33Win31–1–1Claude RolfeKO3, 2:10Oct 1, 1953Armory, Charlotte, North Carolina, US
32Loss30–1–1Sylvester JonesPTS4Sep 24, 1953Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US
31Win30–0–1Keene SimmonsUD10Sep 1, 1953Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
30Win29–0–1Omelio AgramonteUD10May 12, 1953Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
29Win28–0–1Bob GarnerKO7 Mar 31, 1953Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
28Win27–0–1Ponce de LeonKO2 Mar 24, 1953Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
27Win26–0–1Terry O'ConnorTKO3 Mar 12, 1953Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US
26Win25–0–1Ponce de LeonPTS8Mar 4, 1953Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, US
25Win24–0–1Abie GibsonKO1, 1:22Jan 13, 1953Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
24Win23–0–1Graveyard WaltersKO2 Dec 8, 1952Beach Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, US
23Win22–0–1Claude RolfeKO9, 1:55Nov 25, 1952Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US
22Win21–0–1Johnny HollinsKO1, 2:48Oct 3, 1952Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
21Win20–0–1Joe McFaddenTKO3, 2:09Sep 23, 1952Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
20Win19–0–1Art HenriTKO8, 0:30Sep 16, 1952Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
19Win18–0–1Roosevelt HolmesKO1, 2:10Sep 12, 1952Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
18Win17–0–1Baby BoozeKO1 Sep 2, 1952Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
17Win16–0–1Candy McDanielsKO2 Aug 12, 1952Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
16Win15–0–1Sam HaroldKO4 Jul 25, 1952City Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, US
15Win14–0–1Lee RaymondTKO5 Jul 22, 1952Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
14Win13–0–1Jimmy FeltonKO3 Jul 8, 1952Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
13Win12–0–1Eddie Joe WilliamsKO1 Jun 24, 1952Daytona Beach, Florida, US
12Win11–0–1Harry TurnerKO1 Jun 17, 1952Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US
11Win10–0–1Paul FavoriteKO4 Jun 10, 1952Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
10Win9–0–1Ray BrownKO3 May 28, 1952Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US
9Win8–0–1Johnny FowlerKO5 Apr 15, 1952Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
8Win7–0–1Ray BanksKO1 Mar 28, 1952Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
7Win6–0–1Roosevelt HolmesUD6Feb 29, 1952Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
6Win5–0–1Rudolph WoodKO2 Feb 26, 1952Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
5Win4–0–1Ray BanksTKO1 Feb 15, 1952Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
4Win3–0–1Lee HuntKO2 Dec 11, 1951Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US
3Draw2–0–1Dan BolstonPTS4Nov 16, 1949City Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, US
2Win2–0Phillip NelsonTKO3 Jun 30, 1949Griffin High School Gym, Griffin, Georgia, US
1Win1–0Al WilliamsTKO2 Mar 25, 1949Griffin High School Gym, Griffin, Georgia, US