Seems like a forgotten British fighter. Got to like 3 or 4 ABA finals but never won the title. Was a big puncher. In the pro's he beat the likes of Howard Clarke, Hussan Osman, stopped Shannon Taylor something which Mundine or Abraham cound't do. Was the IBO 154 Champion and made 3 defences of the title, and also won the Commowealth Title.
A really good domestic fighter who i had the pleasure of meeting when i was 13. Really genuine nice guy and looking back he done really well combining his meals on wheels job with his boxing. When we look at it that division the fighters were so badly mismanaged and Richard had the worst of it....a one Sergio Martinez rocks up on these shores and beats him and then beats him again and look at Sergio now. He was a really entertaining puncher but he could box as well and could of went on to bigger and better things but he came around at a time when promoters were feeding there prospects with intercontinental titles and keeping them away from the more career defining domestic fights which would of made and created them as legends of there era. Richard i believe works with disadvantaged youth in Southwark last time i heard.
I'll be honest, his career must have passed me by. Never heard of the guy. I'll look him up though and keep my eye out for any past fights. Always willing to learn about someone new!
Probably p4p one of the best fighters h2h we've ever produced, he could do everything! Lacked consitensy
Williams was injury prone and also struggled with viral complaints. A fully fit Williams had the boxing ability and power to give any light-middleweight in the world a run for his money. The Londoner was often compared to fighters of the 1950's for his smooth moves, superb balance, body punching and combinations. London ABA champion in 1995 (he beat Wayne Alexander in the final), Williams was nicknamed "The Secret" in his early years as a pro but after a dazzling third-round stoppage of Canada's Tony Badea for the Commonwealth light-middleweight title in 2001, the secret was no more. Williams proved a dominant Commonwealth champion, stopping former world title challengers Andrew Murray and Shannan Taylor, the latter also for the IBO light-middleweight title. Williams twice defended his IBO belt against big-hitting Welshman Paul Samuels. The first encounter ended prematurely on a technical draw, after Williams was cut, but Williams proved his superiority in the rematch, overcoming his man in 10 exciting rounds at Brentwood. Another successful defence followed against former WBA welterweight title challenger Andrei Pestraiev, who had floored and outpointed West Ham's previously unbeaten Steve Roberts a fight earlier. Against Williams, the Russian didn't win a round (120-108 twice and 120-106). Williams remains the only man ever to floor Howard Eastman - as a schoolboy amateur. Eastman ultimately ended Richard's pro career, to complete a full circle.
I miss Williams, he was one of those fighters that was just good to watch whether he was in a good fight or not. One of the great nearly men, seemed to have all the tools but things just didn't work out as well as they might have done.
I met him once just outside The Swan pub in Stockwell. He seemed a very nice guy and very genuine. It was just after the Eastman defeat but he seemed to be taken it very well and hinting that there's worse things in life than losing a boxing match.
I'm still dazzled by the way he stopped my boy Tony Badea in 3 back in '01. That build-up to the fight here was outrageous.We all thought Tny would win but Williams just battered him.