Does Cleveland Williams hit hard or really hard?

About that: when you lose weight due to staying in the hospital for a long time, it 100% makes you weaker. I only lost 18 lbs and was so skinny you could see my ribs, so I can't imagine how much weaker Williams became losing 60 and having survived an operation from gunshot wounds.

 

You can see how much weight Williams had lost in the photos taken when Liston visited him in hospital.

There has to be an agenda when anyone dismisses the effects immediate and ongoing from the gun shot wound.

I think an artery was pulled from Williams left leg (?) to be used elsewhere to repair damage - that leg was clearly withered as compared to his right leg.

By age 38, Williams had several reasons to NOT be considered the grey mare that he used to be.

Yet, on several occasions, he hit, hurt and forced back Chuvalo with punches that weren’t dissimilar to those Foreman laid on George - The Big Cat simply couldn’t keep it up - being stiffer and having that much less stamina than he used to have.

It can be technically reasoned that Williams didn’t “deserve” a shot at Patterson - but perhaps argued that there were other contenders that did avoid him - too high risk given his power of punch - so possible that some better names might’ve adorned his list of KO victims.

Good chance Cleve could’ve KO’d the “elite” fighters (sacrificial lambs) that were served up to Patterson during his reign.

As to Cleve’s physique - of course it was terrific - but that doesn’t lead fair minded people to exaggerate his power by association. Norton was in the same boat in terms of physique - is/was his power overrated?

Williams power isn’t a legend that has grown and become disproportionate over time. He was thusly described - an extremely powerful hitter - by contemporary observers.

Its fine for a totally secure, hetero guy to objectively appreciate a physique. It might cause the less secure some discomfort though.

Basically every commentator/writer of the day commented in that regard as it pertained to Williams - including Sonny Liston who said that Williams even had muscles in his eyeballs.

I’d be more worried about the latent admirers or the one’s that thinly disguise their admiration within their attempts to falsely impugn others - they’re the ones who are ALWAYS bringing up Williams’ physique.

 

Yeah, because he wasnt rated during Patterson's reign. Thats a really "technical" reason for why he didnt deserve a shot...

 

Point me to the champion now at 160 or above who doesn't qualify?

 

Exactly. Results dont matter to some clowns theyd rather drool over big thweaty mens...

 

And the likes of Rademacher were “technically” eligible as the most outstanding challengers?

Nice “logic” that cuts one way to a Champ’s advantage but not the other way.

Were Machen and Folley, respectively ranked #1 and # 2, perhaps too “technically” eligible?

Apparently for some, Williams wasn’t all that - so he should’ve made for another nice, “soft” defence for Patterson - lol, AS IF that was ever gonna happen.

 

Klomp, wipe your chin...you’re the only one drooling here.

 

Lots of reps at 225, good 40 time and silly vertical.

Think Andy Ruiz.

 

Keep believing your little, truncated, glacial breadline rejects of old could compete with the underwear models of today!

 

Literally none of those factors would give me any confidence a guy could become a successful boxer.

And there are hundreds of successful boxers who would score poorly in all those categories.

 

None of those boxers were true athletes. Ruiz still holds the Imperial High School high jump record at 6-8. Dude was a stud. Great measurables.

 

So what?

Who gives a **** how high Ruiz could jump in highschool? Unless he is going to use that leaping ability to deliver a really cool Superman punch or uppercut, what difference does it make? If Ruiz is lucky he'll end up retiring as the #6 HW of his era given his current trajectory.

Measurables in athleticism are about as useful as a cool haircut in the ring unless they are helping the guy actually win fights. Ken Norton was easily the most athletically gifted boxer of his era and his name usually ends up at #4 after Ali, Frazier, and Foreman. You rave on and on about athleticism as if that means a guy is almost destined for greatness in the ring.

 

Actually, John Ruiz was a sub 4.4 40 guy on the Chelsea football team. He might be the most gifted. I also consider him a top 5 heavy all times.