'Compassionate Cassius Clay, To Give Big Cat A Chance'

October 1966,

World Heavyweight Champion - Cassius Clay has agreed to give
Cleveland 'Big Cat' Williams a chance at the Heavyweight Title.

The Champion said, he felt compassion for the Houston Heavyweight, who
is in need of financial help, as a result of gunshot injuries he sustained back
in November 1964, that put his boxing career on hold.

The Heavyweight Championship bout is scheduled for November 14, 1966
in Houston, Texas.

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'November 1966'

'Cassius Visits Big Cat, Offers Help'

Heavyweight Champion - Cassius Clay came visiting Houston, with a 'warm smile'
and a helping hand, as he prepares for his November 14th bout with local Houston
Heavyweight - 'Big Cat' Williams.

The Champion said, that Cleveland was a great fighter before he got injured,
and may have been the best challenger out there in November 1964. He deserves
a Title Shot, if not for earning it, at least for being a good guy.

In November 1964, Cleveland Williams had moved into the #2 Heavyweight Ranking,
after defeating #8 Heavyweight - Billy Daniels. At the time, the 31 year-old 'Big Cat'
had a record of 61-5-1 (49 KO's).

Williams was scheduled to face Ernie Terrell for the 'vacant' WBA Heavyweight Championship
in January 1965, but a gunshot wound during a traffic incident on November 29, 1964
'dashed' his Heavyweight Championship aspirations.

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November 1965

Cleveland Williams got 'approval' from his Doctors that he could resume training, after
taking nearly 1-year off from his near crippling injury, and seeing his weight drop to down
to 160 lbs.

The 'Big Cat' was now at 218 lbs., and started off by chopping wood and tossing hay bales,
to build up his stamina and upper-body muscle strength.

He still had partial paralysis in his right hip, and had his wounded right kidney removed by
Houston Doctors on June 22, 1965.
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February 8, 1966

Cleveland Williams came back after 15-months, and scored a (KO 1) over 'Big Ben' Black.

Cleveland at 214 lbs. scored a knockout victory, but he was nearly knocked out in the opening
moments of the 1st-Round, when the 6' 4" 233 lb. 24 year-old Chicago Heavyweight - 'Big Ben' Black,
nailed Cleveland with a monster right-hand, that rocked him back into the ropes, and had him
out on his feet.

As Black plowed forward to finish off the 'Big Cat', he started wailing away with wide-swinging hooks,
leaving himself open. When suddently, Cleveland unloaded with a perfectly timed left hook to the chin
of 'Big Ben', who crashed to the canvas, only to be counted out.

 

November 1966

Cassius Clay, 'If we can sell-out the Houston Astrodome, we can pull in nearly
$1,250,000 - and that will help out Cleveland immensely. I will do all I can to
help promote this bout. I may have to start calling 'The Big Cat' names to get
people to root against me to come the fight.'

"I think I will call him Pussycat, and pull out his claws.'

 

Cleveland Williams,

Was listed as a 5-1 Underdog......A long long-shot

Ben Black, who was knocked out by Cleveland in February 1966, was his
#1 Sparring-partner for the 'Big Cat' for this Championship bout.

'Big Ben' had been dropping the 'Big Cat' pretty routinely in sparring sessions.



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Noggin,

On Cleveland Williams 'second comeback bout, it was versus 6' 3" 233 lb. -
Mel Turnbow.

Other files say his record was 13-4-0 (4 KO's) entering that bout.

March 22, 1966 and in Houston, Texas.

The 32 1/2 year-old 212 lb. 'Big Cat' was floored in both the 2nd and 3rd Rounds, by the
'Giant' 233 lb. - Mel Turnbow.

Cleveland started his rally in Round 4, and rocked Turnbow in Round 6. The 'Big Cat'
went on to win a Unanimous 10-Round Decision.

It was apparent to those in attendance, that his right leg had no strength and/or
flexibility to act as a 'shock absorber' for getting hit by hard right hands.

 

janitor,

Well, after the 'Big Cat' came back, there wasn't anyone who wasn't wishing he
could get back to where he once was.

The power was there, but his ability to take a 'solid shot' and absorb it on one good
leg (left leg), was obviously going to affect his performance.

You can take his bout with 'Big Ben' Black, as a 'nervous night', in his first bout after the
injury. Where Cleveland nearly got knocked out, before landing a 'desperation' left hook.

But, Mel Turnbow flooring him 'twice' early in their bout, proved that the 'Big Cat' was
damaged goods.

 

Wire Photo (November 20, 1964)

WBA Heavyweight Championship

#2 WBA - Cleveland Williams vs. #1 - WBA Ernie Terrell

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