Chuvalo vs "Big Cat" Williams

Credit for the upload to rockytony67, I made a highlight of it as I feel it's a fight worth seeing despite both men being far past their prime:

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Apologies for the music, thought the commentary was horribly dull with Cosell occasionally complaining about the fight lasting as he was apparently anxious to see the following borefest that was Muhammad Ali vs Buster Mathis instead of these two punchers trading bombs.

Williams was pushing 40 and Chuvalo wasn't a young man either at 34 years of age, but both of them gave a good account of themselves in this bout considering their age, despite tiring near the end. Can you imagine the fight they would have had in their primes?

 

No doubt. The only reason Williams hung in there is because Chuvalo was slow on his feet enough for him to have his moments. The speed and power of Williams could still be seen but his timing was off. Chuvalo looked strong as always in the early rounds but he could not keep up the pace like he did in his prime.

This could pass off as a modern heavyweight fight based on statistics, Williams was listed at 6'3½ and 229 pounds (and 83 inch reach, 3 more inches than boxrec lists him at), Chuvalo was listed at 6'1 and 227 pounds.

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With 64 career knockouts I'd say he could punch. But you're right he was more so physically strong than a big knockout puncher. He just mauled you and wore you down, and the left hook spelled trouble for anyone if it connected clean. More often than not his top opponents were able to evade his punches though.

 

Chuvalo never got shot in the gut.

 

Agreed. He was also able to cut Chuvalo badly in the first round. The sharp punches of a prime Williams could potentially cause a cut stoppage, although I don't see him knocking out Chuvalo.

The 10 round route I think favours Williams. Had Williams won the belt that Terrell held, the challenging Chuvalo would have had a bigger chance in a 15 round bout.