In 1946 tough Welsh Lightweight Ronnie James was desperately looking for a World Title shot after a long career fighting many of the best fighters around his weight from the UK and overseas. The then powerful UK promoter Jack Solomans thought he had found just the opportunity for his fighter when he was ringside for Ike Williams fight against Bobby Ruffin in New York. Ike won by TKO in the 5th but Solomons still felt that Ike Williams was nothing special and that his fighter Ronnie James was just the fighter to beat him. Straight away Solomons entered into negotiations with the Williams camp hoping to land a title fight in Wales for his fighter. As is often the case in Boxing these negotiations proved long and at times very difficult, with many arguments taking place between the two camps. Eventually Solomons managed to get all the contracts signed for Williams to come to Wales and defend his title (the Williams camp had originally wanted a ten round non-title fight). The fight was set for 4th September 1946 and would take place in the open air at Ninian Park, Cardiff, Wales. The American Champion Williams would receive 25% of the gate and Ronnie James as challenger 15%. Ike Williams arrived in the UK in a confident mood and was accompanied by his manager Cornelius Connie Patrick and his trainer Harry Curley. But Jack Solomons problems were not yet over. Ike Williams then started making many demands, mainly about the food he wanted to eat, he was demanding such things like fresh fruit everyday. Solomons tried explaining to the Champion that many of the the foods he was asking for were just not available in the UK (remember this was in 1946 and food rationing was widespread). However Ike Williams wasnt interested in excuses he wanted his requested food, and fast. Eventually Solomons managed to cater to his demands through some contacts at the American Embassy. Then there was more problems, about two weeks before the fight it started to rain and rain and rain. Not the best of weather for a big outdoor fight. Despite many around him calling for the fight to be prostphoned Solomons insisted that the fight would still go ahead. Thankfully on the morning of the fight the rain stopped and due to this and a lot of hard work by the men preparing the arena the fight wasnt called off. In the weeks leading up to the fight the reports from the respective training camps was that Ronnie James was looking fantastic but Ike Williams was looking sluggish and less than motivated, this coupled with the fact that the Champion was still a few pounds over weight on the morning of the fight gave even more hope to the Welsh fans that their fighter would be lifting the Championship belt later that day. But then the fight began, Ronnie James was a fine fighter but he was no match for the superb Ike Williams who just tore the brave Welsh fighter apart with a vicious body attack. Ronnie James hit the canvas six times that night and showed tremendous heart and bravery but in all truth he was never really in the fightand was stopped in the 9th. Jack Solomons had made a terrible mistake, Ike Williams was indeed a great fighter who just crushed the pride of Wales that night. ...... couple of photos here on it .. http://classicboxingsociety.blogspot.ie/2015/04/the-day-ike-williams-conquered-wales.html?m=1
Dougie, kudos for your great thread on the subject of Ike Williams. I saw the great Ike Williams ko Beau Jack in Philly about a year or so later...Ronnie James had nothing to be ashamed by losing to Ike Williams who was the finest lightweight I ever did see... Ike was a murderous puncher as a lightweight and my fantasy match would be Ike against Roberto Duran at 135 pounds, both in their primes. But I like Ike....cheers D.
Thanks Dougie I really enjoy these old time stories this one more so as I live a Mile away from the old Ninian park when I'm in Cardiff . Have you read anything by or about Wilde ( Jimmy not Oscar)
click on the photos on these to enlarge..nothing that special here... .............. March 12, 1917 - National Sporting Club, London Jimmy Wilde defeats George Clarke in the 4th round of a scheduled 20-round contest that had the British, European and World Flyweight Titles on the line... http://classicboxingsociety.blogspot.ie/2016/05/march-12-1917-national-sporting-club.html .................................. 1918. Jimmy Wilde in training, paced by his wife. http://classicboxingsociety.blogspot.com/2015/04/1918.html .................................. Jimmy Wilde and son David - 1932. http://classicboxingsociety.blogspot.com/2015/02/jimmy-wilde-and-son-david-1932.html .............................. This painting depicts the occasion when Jimmy Wilde outpointed Joe Lynch of America after a battle over 15 rounds. At the end, the Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII) stepped into the ring and congratulated the tiny Welshman on his victory. This was the first time Royalty officially entered the ring and thereby had given their official patronage to boxing, a sport which had been illegal in the days of bare knuckle fighting and was still looking for acceptance. http://classicboxingsociety.blogspot.com/2014/05/this-painting-depicts-occasion-when.html ................................ and this is something i put on the youtube channel.. Jimmy Wilde vs Joe Symonds (with added commentary) - Feb 14th 1916 (2nd fight) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6WEPBJ7pTM
