Cleveland Williams Tribute

it is a very original video man, i think this one is the first williams tribute on youtube. but you wrote in the title "willaims" lol

the music is very good for the footage

 

that was amazing, thanks Tommy!

 

Because ya can fully appreciate Williams at his best in this tribute, thought you'd get a kick outta Williams' tense time with Willie Pep.

In the waning days of Pep's career, he took the bouts for walkin’ around money.

All he had left was a twinkle in his eye and a wisecrack. Most boxers looked bigger in trunks; he looked smaller.

He was training at the 5th Street Gym in Miami. The “Big Cat” was also there. But, though faded, Pep was the star with gym rats, which grated on Williams, who was always sullen while Willie kibitzed and clowned.

Williams was the closest thing to Superman I’d ever seen -- a walking anatomy chart…at his peak, before he got shot in the stomach. His left-hook cannonades on the heavy bag shook the gym.

Fifth Street was compact -- always jammed, so Pep and Williams had to do floor exercises almost side by side. Pep’s fans constantly stoked his ego:

" Willie, you could kill that big bum! He'd never touch you."

"You'd make him look like a jerk, Willie.”

It went on like that for weeks.

No way Williams didn't hear it.... He was nine feet tall – proud, a fearsome puncher, and bristling.

While Pep joked, Williams seethed. An explosion was building.

One day when Pep’s faithful were egging him on:

"You could kick his ass, Willie"

"You'd make him look like fool, Willie!"

Pep turned to them: "All I can tell you is: I'd hate to have him hang his hammer on me!"

The only explosion was Williams' laughter.

 

I'm disappointed there's not more footage of him to be seen. Is there any more out there?

 

Some think that Liston's gloves may have been "juiced" in the first fight after Liston had taken a beating in the first round.

One thing for sure, Cleve wasn't scared of Liston, and went out on his shield even when he lost.

 

Williams is rarely mentioned when we talk about the greatest punchers. But he was definitely up there. Too bad we dont have much of his films.

The Liston and Williams bouts were legendary. Neither one of their chins should be questioned after those altercations

 

Does a film exist of his KO of Terrell?

 

Nice tribute but not enough footage.Enjoyed it.

 

Surf-Bat.

On the Williams-Terrell I bout.
Yes it does.
On the knock-out,
Williams floored the 'skinny' Terrel , but the
bout was stopped on cuts.

One wonders, what would have happened if Cleveland Williams got a
Title shot versus Floyd Patterson in 59'/60'.

Me thinks, Williams by 'Knock-out in 2 rounds.

 

williams was a hard puncher no doubt, but he was not harder puncher than ron lyle,frank bruno,ruddock or tommy morrison.

 

that was good

nice post too JG !!

 

Great tribute, it's nice to see the less famous fighters getting appreciated.