Ike Williams, consolidated - recommended viewing

This is probably the most to-the-point piece of footage on Williams out there* - his stoppage of Johnny Bratton. Previously, Williams had won a decision over the welterweight Bratton but this time went one better and smashed him up.

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Any thoughts?

*Apart from the Gatica stoppage, but that's not available on Youtube.

 

Bratton was solid - the fourth or fifth rated welterweight in the world at the time Williams beat him in 1949, I think, and he would continue to appear in the top ten ratings for the next few years, including 1950 when Williams beat him again. Williams was lightweight champion.

 

One thing an observer will notice after watching Williams fight is that he is quite similar to Jose Napoles, not in mannerisms or specific methods, but in his general fighting style. Both fighters were not that bothered about defence - they were capable of slick defensive moves and slipped many a punch, but got hit with a fair few as well. But they weren't affected; they were just out to land more punches than the other man, whether they were going for the knockout or not.

Another thing one may notice is how strong Williams appears; sometimes, when a lightweight steps up to fight a welterweight, even if the heavier fighter is usually a boxer-mover, he'll be able to impose himself physically on the smaller man. But Williams rarely let that happen, and even stood his ground against a seemingly stronger Beau Jack. He was deceptively strong for a slim fighter - infact, he was built to the same scale as Ray Robinson, Ezzard Charles and Joe Louis - perfect to play the boxer-puncher role which he executed so smoothly.

 

Yeah, probably, although a slightly lesser puncher. For actual fighting ability I rate them both at around the same level, just a little bit underneath the immortals such as Ray Robinson and Roberto Duran.