Cleveland Williams vs. Tony Tucker

I’d love to say Cleveland Williams but Tucker took too good a shot at his best and could move pretty good for a big man and had good boxing skills.I wouldn’t have thought Cleveland fought too many fighters who were taller and had reach advantage on him. Plus Tucker had good power and old Cleveland suffered a few stoppage loses.

 

Tucker stops him late.

 

Tucker stops him in 10.

 

Sonny Liston kayoed Cleveland Big Cat Williams in 1959 and 1960, both times it was early. The Big Cat even broke Sonny's nose. Prime Williams prior to that near fatal shooting by a Texas State Trooper on Nov 30 1964, does own a 7 th round kayo of tall lanky Ernie Terrell in April 1962. I do see Tony TNT Tucker going the 12 round distance, Tucker is not Liston of 1959 or 1960. Tucker takes this one on points, but it would not surprise me if Williams rattled him several times, as he could hit.

 

Cleveland's "few stoppage loses (*losses)" anywhere even remotely close to his peak were against a prime Liston. He also didn't seem to have a problem against fighters who were taller and had a reach advantage over him, most notably Terrell who he knocked out then lost a dispusted SD to.

That being said I'd go for Tucker by UD or Late TKO, barring a hail mary from Williams.

 

Fair point. Cleveland ran into a prime Liston. Then gets shot and fights Ali when way past prime in his only shot at title.

 

I think Tucker was the more well rounded fighter even if his win list doesn’t reflect it.

 

True. Tucker had the misfortune of coming along at the same time as Tyson. Cleveland came along at Liston’s prime. Could Tucker have been Undisputed champ had it not been for Tyson? Good chance. What you reckon?

 

He might have captured lineage either by beating spinks or winning the belts in elimination matches given that the division was a little short on talent from 1987-1989. But I honestly don’t think he had the drive to be a dominant force. Tucker was the type of fighter who only did enough to “ get by “ and that doesn’t make for greatness.

 

Tony tucker tko 9

 

Tony Tucker only lost 2 fights in his prime. To Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. Neither stopped him. Tyson never really hurt him. Williams doesn't hit as hard as either Tyson or Lewis and he wasn't really that skilled. His chin was also questionable. Tucker would easily beat him.

 

Agreed. I myself would pick Tucker to win this match-up, but Williams was the hungrier fighter imo.

 

Tuckers movement would be too much for Williams