Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams (1959) vs Ike "The President" Ibeabuchi (1997)

Ike won that fight no question. He was busy, I'm not sure how big of a puncher he was with a larger sample size at the elite level.

 

Thanks I believe he won that fight.
My statement was about the punches certainly not being "pitty pat".
There were a lot of jabs, but he alternated with power punches, landed more than Tua, & they broke the HW record although the fight was nonly 12 rounds, not 15 as in the past.

I cannot say why they were not marked up. But every time there are big punches landed (especially body shots), must both fighters look like they were in a war?

 

This one is almost impossible to figure out, for me. I can say that Ike certainly would have a very good chance in this one, and it's hard to imagine Cleveland Williams dishing out Ike's first loss in an undefeated career. I wouldn't bet on this fight, but I'd love to watch it. If backed into a corner, I'd go with Ike.

 

The sample size on Ike is pretty small. He had still had alot to prove himself. Williams fought forever and we saw his career play out. Having Ljston there didn't help and a prime Ali. That would be a roadblock to the title.

 

I think Williams was pretty good, but he seems to possibly have durability problems. Ibeabuchi had no such problems and fought at a high pace. I know that he never really had a career at the high levels to consider, but based on what we saw I think I'd favour him.

 

This thread could be called “The guy who never lasted more than three rounds with a champion vs the guy who never even fought a champion”

 

Who are these champions Williams failed to last more than three rounds against?

 

They were very good champions. Williams lasted half as long as Howard King did against Sonny Liston. Then for the world title, Williams lasted as long as Brian London did against Ali.

 

Ernie Terrell was WBA champion, and Williams lasted a lot longer than 3 rounds against him if I remember correctly.

 

That is a ****ing terrifying thought

 

Two of the most overrated fighters on this forum. I think that Ike's durablility could be the factor, though his chin isn't that proven. Williams certainly could hit and he was quicker than Ike.

Good fight, if Williams's chin holds up it would be a close decision for Ike probably.

 

Not a good matchup for Williams. Tho fairly unproven Ike showed enough durability against Tua to take the smart money and he's more skilled as well. Ike before the fifth bell.

 

What World champion did Terrell beat to become WBA champ?

 

That wasn't your argument. No changing goal posts. You said Williams never beat a champion, which as I've demonstrated is simply untrue.

 

So He beat somebody else who never beat an actual champion then? I don’t think that’s uncommon.