I've often wondered about this myself, thinking it would be a great fight no matter the outcome. I tend to think Robinson would pull this one off too, but Williams was a tremendous puncher. Either way I think it goes to the judges' scorecards.
Robinson wasnt as good at 135 as he would be at 147 but at that weight he had already beaten Sammy Angott, same guy who in turn beat Williams. I think Robinson, even at 135, would be able to beat Wiiams. He was just the bigger and more talented fighter than Ike Williams, especially with his fast feet. Ike himself wanted to challenge Robinson at 147 but his wife begged him not to fight him.
It's a bit of a stretch. The version of Ray you're talking about was a Middleweight. Ike might have enough nouse and power to give Sugar problems in his young 10 stone days but Robinson on his way up was beyond formidable. It would have been a fantastic fight though.
Robinson was 5’11” with a 72” inch reach while Williams was 5’9”/ 68”. I have only seen Williams versus Beau Jack. Williams looked like a stand up boxer. I think giving up that much height and reach, and likely slower and definitely not a harder puncher...I don’t see how he can take Robinson on points unless Robinson has an off night. Some of the earlier fights I have seen or Robinson, he could become a hurricane if pressed. Does Williams have the style to deal with all of the that?
probably not. Supposedly the welter version smokes the middleweight Robinson, which seems insane by watching middleweight Robinson.
