'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' - Page 2

Senor Pepe' · 10-06-2012, 07:47 AM

April 19, 1966

Sam Houston Coliseum

'Big Cat Defeats Dallas Policeman'

How far had Cleveland Williams slipped.

Cleveland got clearly outboxed over the first '6-Rounds versus 'journeyman'
'South Dallas Policeman' Sonny Moore, who gave the 'Big Cat' a tough time.

Cleveland had to go 'balls out' to win the last 4-Rounds, to squeeze out a close
10-Round Decision.

Cleveland got 'banged' around pretty good in the early rounds, and a 'lucky' right hook
broke Sonny Moore's nose, which changed the 'flow' of the fight.

The fans boo'd the 'Big Cat', and the 'questionable' Decision.

The 28 year-old Sonny Moore, brought in a record of 19-19-2 (10 KO's), and the 6' 2" 210 lb.
Dallas Heavyweight was considered nothing more than a 'super easy opponent' for the 'Big Cat'.

After this bout, the boxing pundits reported, 'The Big Cat has no more lives left, he's done.'

Senor Pepe' · 10-06-2012, 12:50 PM

Tuesday Night - June 28, 1966

Sam Houston Coliseum - Houston, Texas

On the undercard of the WBA Heavyweight Championship between -
Champion - Ernie Terrell and Challenger - Doug Jones.

'The Big Cat Crushes A Herring'

In front of 9346 Sam Houston Coliseum fans, Cleveland Williams gave Tod Herring
the 'good old-fashioned' beating, forcing the Referee to call a halt to the bout at
just 0:25 of Round 3.

Tod Herring, a 29 year-old 6' 3" 205 lb. - Texas Heavyweight, with a record of
26-5-0 (19 KO's) had entered the ring confident, and with a swagger. Tod had
stated before the bout, that he would end the Big Cat's career, by knocking
him out.

The 33 year-old 6' 3" 210 lb. veteran Cleveland Williams, wasted little time in
pounding his over-matched opponent, and by Round 2, Tod Herring was reeling
around the ring.

At 0:25 of Round 3, Referee - Jimmy Webb stopped the 'one-sided beating'.

The Big Cat improves his record to 65-5-1 (51 KO's), and his Manager -
Hugh Benbow stated that they were ready for a Championship Bout with
Ernie Terrell.

McGrain · 10-06-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SolomonDeedes

Cleveland Williams, never the luckiest of men, gets the world's scariest hospital visitor.

Great pic, thank you. Anyone know the man in the middle?

Senor Pepe' · 10-06-2012, 01:43 PM

I think that is Hugh Benbow, The Manager of Cleveland Williams.

yancey · 10-06-2012, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McGrain

Great pic, thank you. Anyone know the man in the middle?

Hugh Benbow.

AREA 53 · 10-06-2012, 01:57 PM

As i recall, Cleve had said some dismissive things about Clay and a possible match, before Clay had beat Liston, Probably Circa the Doug Jones Fight, and i dont think Clay/Ali had forgotten these verbal sleights, however any thoughts of leaving these feelings in the past were probably sunk by Cleve's Manager Hugh Benbow's equally dismissive rhetoric before the fight, stateing that Cleve would "Run Clay right out of the ring..." if that wasnt calculated to stoke Ali's fires, Hughs and probably Cleve's refferals to him as Clay, probably did... of course Mr Terrell opened up a whole new can of Spite next time up.

Senor Pepe' · 10-06-2012, 02:12 PM

Don't forget,,,,,

Cleveland Williams and Sonny Liston were really good friends, despite their 'two' ring battles.

They both considered themselves (late-1950's - Rebel Heavyweights), the 'two guys' that nobody wanted to fight.

BillB · 10-06-2012, 02:19 PM

I remember the run up to the fight.

Ali claimed that Williams' manager had promised Williams a new boat if he won and Williams had invented the Boat Punch to beat Ali with.

Ali said he had invented the Ali Shuffle to counteract the Boat Punch.

Senor Pepe' · 10-06-2012, 02:44 PM

Cleveland 'Big Cat' Williams

Had the 'Pulpwood Punch' a left hand that was 1/2 hook and 1/2 uppercut.

After his bout with Tod Herring,

Fight Promoter - Chris Dundee put up a purse bid to get Ernie Terrell and the 'Big Cat' to get together
in Miami Beach for September 1966.

But Chicago - Fight Promoter- Irving Schoenwald upped the fight purse bid, which halted everything.

Senor Pepe' · 10-07-2012, 09:57 AM

Not that it matters,,,,

But Cleveland was offered a fight purse guarantee of $60,000 for a 'proposed'
WBA Heavyweight Championship bout with Ernie Terrell - and set for a 'September' date in Chicago.

Manager - Hugh Benbow said 'NO'.....we can get more.

Then Promoter -Earl Gilliam showed up, and came in with a 'promotion' for a Cassius Clay vs 'The Big Cat'
set for November in Houston, at the Astrodome.

Earl Gilliam offered Hugh Benbow and 'The Big Cat' an option, either a $75,000 fight purse guarantee, or
20% of the 'live gate' and 14% of the Tel-Star 'closed circuit' broadcast revenues.

They took the 'percentage deal', thinking that if the Houston Astrodome sold out with it's 66,000 capacity,
plus the additional revenue from the 'closed circuit broadcast', the fight would have grossed close to
$1,250,000 - netting Hugh Benbow and Cleveland Williams a nice tidy sum of $250,000.

Senor Pepe' · 10-07-2012, 02:17 PM

November 1966

'The Chronicle'

'Boxing pundits, regard the Cassius Clay vs. Cleveland Williams 'Heavyweight Championship' as a 'joke'.

With no disrespect to the 'Big Cat', he in no way qualifies as a Top 10 Heavyweight. The 33 year-old,
and his comeback from a severe gunshot wound is courageous. But the 'Big Cat' has not proven that
he is worthy of a Championship, based upon '4' wins over a completely inadequate group of opponents.

Though Mr. Williams still carries a dangerous weapon, his left hand, the Houston-based Heavyweight has
weakened legs, and his ability to take a good punch has left him faster than a quick-cat chasing a mouse.

Don't expect too much in his fight with Champion, as Cleveland will go crashing to the canvas with the
first punch that lands on his chin. Everybody in the Houston Astrodome will be out of their seats by the
4th Round, and be heading home to catch the nightly news on television.

janitor · 10-07-2012, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Senor Pepe'

janitor,

Well, after the 'Big Cat' came back, there wasn't anyone who wasn't wishing he
could get back to where he once was.

The power was there, but his ability to take a 'solid shot' and absorb it on one good
leg (left leg), was obviously going to affect his performance.

You can take his bout with 'Big Ben' Black, as a 'nervous night', in his first bout after the
injury. Where Cleveland nearly got knocked out, before landing a 'desperation' left hook.

But, Mel Turnbow flooring him 'twice' early in their bout, proved that the 'Big Cat' was
damaged goods.

I agree that Williams was shot, but hindsight is a wonderful thing.

It was not obvious to everybody at the time, and there were still those who perceived the Big Cat as a threat.

Senor Pepe' · 10-07-2012, 03:49 PM

'The Massacre'

Cassius Clay floors the 'Big Cat' Cleveland Williams, '3-times' in Round 2, and then again 'once' in Round 3.

Williams made it to his feet, but was defenseless as the Champion unloaded a 'dreadfull barrage' on him.

Referee - Harry Kessler had no other choice but to stop the 'one-sided' bout at 1:08 of Round 3.

Cleveland Williams, 'My manager told me to come out slow and pace myself, and to box him. He told me
to take my time, and slowly get into the fight. That's not my style at all. I like to come out fast, and bomb away.
I have no idea why I did that. I was fighting in 1st-Gear, and Cassius was in Overdrive.'

Senor Pepe' · 10-08-2012, 09:02 AM

The Financial Blunder

Poor Cleveland Williams, instead of agreeing to a $75,000 'fight purse' guarantee,
he took the deal with a 'percentage' of the live gate, hoping for a sellout and
massive viewing from the closed circuit outlets, whrre if everything worked perfectly,
he would have gained close to $250,000.

The attendance of the bout was 35,460 - just a bit over half-capacity of the 66,000
seat Astrodome. And rhe closed circuit revenue was 'far less; than had been expected.

Cleveland Williams only received $44,449 for his fight purse. After paying taxes, his owed
debts and manager's fee, Cleveland Williams walked out of the Championship Bout with
only $7471.

Instead of parlaying that fight into getting bouts with other top fighters,
ie; Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo, Ernie Terrell, and even Sonny Liston -
Cleveland went into a shell for a year-and-a-half, only to return in May 1968.

Cleveland Williams; 'He may have knocked me down '4-times', but I was still on
my feet when they stopped the fight.'

10-06-2012, 07:47 AM	#16
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' April 19, 1966 Sam Houston Coliseum 'Big Cat Defeats Dallas Policeman' How far had Cleveland Williams slipped. Cleveland got clearly outboxed over the first '6-Rounds versus 'journeyman' 'South Dallas Policeman' Sonny Moore, who gave the 'Big Cat' a tough time. Cleveland had to go 'balls out' to win the last 4-Rounds, to squeeze out a close 10-Round Decision. Cleveland got 'banged' around pretty good in the early rounds, and a 'lucky' right hook broke Sonny Moore's nose, which changed the 'flow' of the fight. The fans boo'd the 'Big Cat', and the 'questionable' Decision. The 28 year-old Sonny Moore, brought in a record of 19-19-2 (10 KO's), and the 6' 2" 210 lb. Dallas Heavyweight was considered nothing more than a 'super easy opponent' for the 'Big Cat'. After this bout, the boxing pundits reported, 'The Big Cat has no more lives left, he's done.' Last edited by Senor Pepe'; 10-06-2012 at 07:58 AM.
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10-06-2012, 12:50 PM	#17
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' Tuesday Night - June 28, 1966 Sam Houston Coliseum - Houston, Texas On the undercard of the WBA Heavyweight Championship between - Champion - Ernie Terrell and Challenger - Doug Jones. 'The Big Cat Crushes A Herring' In front of 9346 Sam Houston Coliseum fans, Cleveland Williams gave Tod Herring the 'good old-fashioned' beating, forcing the Referee to call a halt to the bout at just 0:25 of Round 3. Tod Herring, a 29 year-old 6' 3" 205 lb. - Texas Heavyweight, with a record of 26-5-0 (19 KO's) had entered the ring confident, and with a swagger. Tod had stated before the bout, that he would end the Big Cat's career, by knocking him out. The 33 year-old 6' 3" 210 lb. veteran Cleveland Williams, wasted little time in pounding his over-matched opponent, and by Round 2, Tod Herring was reeling around the ring. At 0:25 of Round 3, Referee - Jimmy Webb stopped the 'one-sided beating'. The Big Cat improves his record to 65-5-1 (51 KO's), and his Manager - Hugh Benbow stated that they were ready for a Championship Bout with Ernie Terrell. Last edited by Senor Pepe'; 10-06-2012 at 01:31 PM.
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10-06-2012, 01:43 PM	#19
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' I think that is Hugh Benbow, The Manager of Cleveland Williams.
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10-06-2012, 01:57 PM	#21
AREA 53 Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,045 vCash: 1000	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' As i recall, Cleve had said some dismissive things about Clay and a possible match, before Clay had beat Liston, Probably Circa the Doug Jones Fight, and i dont think Clay/Ali had forgotten these verbal sleights, however any thoughts of leaving these feelings in the past were probably sunk by Cleve's Manager Hugh Benbow's equally dismissive rhetoric before the fight, stateing that Cleve would "Run Clay right out of the ring..." if that wasnt calculated to stoke Ali's fires, Hughs and probably Cleve's refferals to him as Clay, probably did... of course Mr Terrell opened up a whole new can of Spite next time up.
Top

10-06-2012, 02:12 PM	#22
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' Don't forget,,,,, Cleveland Williams and Sonny Liston were really good friends, despite their 'two' ring battles. They both considered themselves (late-1950's - Rebel Heavyweights), the 'two guys' that nobody wanted to fight.
Top

10-06-2012, 02:19 PM	#23
BillB Contender ESB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 960 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' I remember the run up to the fight. Ali claimed that Williams' manager had promised Williams a new boat if he won and Williams had invented the Boat Punch to beat Ali with. Ali said he had invented the Ali Shuffle to counteract the Boat Punch.
Top

10-06-2012, 02:44 PM	#24
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' Cleveland 'Big Cat' Williams Had the 'Pulpwood Punch' a left hand that was 1/2 hook and 1/2 uppercut. After his bout with Tod Herring, Fight Promoter - Chris Dundee put up a purse bid to get Ernie Terrell and the 'Big Cat' to get together in Miami Beach for September 1966. But Chicago - Fight Promoter- Irving Schoenwald upped the fight purse bid, which halted everything.
Top

10-07-2012, 09:57 AM	#25
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' Not that it matters,,,, But Cleveland was offered a fight purse guarantee of $60,000 for a 'proposed' WBA Heavyweight Championship bout with Ernie Terrell - and set for a 'September' date in Chicago. Manager - Hugh Benbow said 'NO'.....we can get more. Then Promoter -Earl Gilliam showed up, and came in with a 'promotion' for a Cassius Clay vs 'The Big Cat' set for November in Houston, at the Astrodome. Earl Gilliam offered Hugh Benbow and 'The Big Cat' an option, either a $75,000 fight purse guarantee, or 20% of the 'live gate' and 14% of the Tel-Star 'closed circuit' broadcast revenues. They took the 'percentage deal', thinking that if the Houston Astrodome sold out with it's 66,000 capacity, plus the additional revenue from the 'closed circuit broadcast', the fight would have grossed close to $1,250,000 - netting Hugh Benbow and Cleveland Williams a nice tidy sum of $250,000. Last edited by Senor Pepe'; 10-07-2012 at 10:35 AM.
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10-07-2012, 02:17 PM	#26
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' November 1966 'The Chronicle' 'Boxing pundits, regard the Cassius Clay vs. Cleveland Williams 'Heavyweight Championship' as a 'joke'. With no disrespect to the 'Big Cat', he in no way qualifies as a Top 10 Heavyweight. The 33 year-old, and his comeback from a severe gunshot wound is courageous. But the 'Big Cat' has not proven that he is worthy of a Championship, based upon '4' wins over a completely inadequate group of opponents. Though Mr. Williams still carries a dangerous weapon, his left hand, the Houston-based Heavyweight has weakened legs, and his ability to take a good punch has left him faster than a quick-cat chasing a mouse. Don't expect too much in his fight with Champion, as Cleveland will go crashing to the canvas with the first punch that lands on his chin. Everybody in the Houston Astrodome will be out of their seats by the 4th Round, and be heading home to catch the nightly news on television.
Top

10-07-2012, 03:49 PM	#28
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' 'The Massacre' Cassius Clay floors the 'Big Cat' Cleveland Williams, '3-times' in Round 2, and then again 'once' in Round 3. Williams made it to his feet, but was defenseless as the Champion unloaded a 'dreadfull barrage' on him. Referee - Harry Kessler had no other choice but to stop the 'one-sided' bout at 1:08 of Round 3. Cleveland Williams, 'My manager told me to come out slow and pace myself, and to box him. He told me to take my time, and slowly get into the fight. That's not my style at all. I like to come out fast, and bomb away. I have no idea why I did that. I was fighting in 1st-Gear, and Cassius was in Overdrive.'
Top

10-08-2012, 09:02 AM	#29
Senor Pepe' Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 4,734 vCash: 500	Re: 'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance' The Financial Blunder Poor Cleveland Williams, instead of agreeing to a $75,000 'fight purse' guarantee, he took the deal with a 'percentage' of the live gate, hoping for a sellout and massive viewing from the closed circuit outlets, whrre if everything worked perfectly, he would have gained close to $250,000. The attendance of the bout was 35,460 - just a bit over half-capacity of the 66,000 seat Astrodome. And rhe closed circuit revenue was 'far less; than had been expected. Cleveland Williams only received $44,449 for his fight purse. After paying taxes, his owed debts and manager's fee, Cleveland Williams walked out of the Championship Bout with only $7471. Instead of parlaying that fight into getting bouts with other top fighters, ie; Floyd Patterson, George Chuvalo, Ernie Terrell, and even Sonny Liston - Cleveland went into a shell for a year-and-a-half, only to return in May 1968. Cleveland Williams; 'He may have knocked me down '4-times', but I was still on my feet when they stopped the fight.'
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