Ike Williams v Benny Leonard

Williams was such a big LW. I think his size coupled with his skill/power would just be too much for Ben who at times had no problem mixing it up.

I expect Leonard to be the favorite here but I'd be putting my money on Williams to catch up to him later while Leonard is enjoying an early lead, catching Leonard pulling straight back as he often did and either finishing or taking over from there, landing the better stuff.

 

benny is credited as one of the top smart fighters, but there is not enough film to be able to show how well he adapted to different opponents(i am sure very well but the question is about film)

because of that i cant give a direct answer to the qusetion, but it would be a high quality, close, fight where i would favour leonard to win more of the later rounds.

 

Well, Leonard probably has the right style to beat Ike. He has the chin to withstand Ike'a best blows and the feet to stop Ike being ready to get off too often.

Less important but he can punch with him as well.

Williams doesn't look the Arguello footed fighter he's sometimes made out to be but he will be shuffling a step behind Benny for the duration I bet.

Leonard UD Williams

 

I have to respect anyone who takes a risk on the underdog. However I don't agree.
In my opinion Williams power is a bit overrated. Don't get me wrong Ike Williams is a great boxer with good power, but not as much as is often made out to be. Williams dose enjoy a height advantage 5′ 9″ compared to 5′ 5″ for Benny Leonard. In terms of reach Leonard has a longer reach by an inch. If Williams had longer arms. I would agree with you.

 

A match up of two of the best lightweights of all time. If Williams had a longer reach I think he has the skills to take advantage. In the end I see Leonard winning a close fight.

 

Maybe, I just think Williams size power and speed overwhelms him. It's not just about reach. At some point Benny is going to have to get in the trenches to touch Ike and his chin is up a lot of them time coming in.

 

Ham fisted and lazy the bunch of you!

 

People seem to be forgetting that it is Leonard who may be the superior puncher here. That guy could crack as hard as any LW champ in history. Look at the guys he stopped who'd never even BEEN stopped before.

 

Having seen Ike Williams in his prime several times,I think at his very best and uncuffed he was the best lightweight I've seen ringside, but he lost THREE times to a great boxer
but a light punching Willie Joyce...Benny Leonard of course I never saw fight {taint that old], but almost every boxing writer since Leonard's time and after who saw the peerless Leonard rule the great lightweight contenders for 7 years adamantly insisted Leonard was the best lightweight since Joe Gans...Leonard could outbox the great boxers and outpunch the best hitters of his time and was considerd the greatest thinker in the ring..
So I have to pick Benny Leonard over Ike Williams ,in 15 rds both at their peak...
P.S. Leonard was considered the equal as a lightweight, that Ray Robinson was as a welterweight, by Ray Arcel and others who saw them both.....

 

ike williams by stoppage or ko in 6

 

This guy. :yep

 

Williams is an awesome attacking force but Leonard might just be the one lightweight he cannot win a trade off with.

Williams was bigger and arguably some of his best work was at ww but Leonard wasn't exactly a small lw himself.

Leonard was a master boxer, quick on his feet, good timing and effective at any range. He also has devastating power couple with quick reflexes.

Something tells me Williams gets caught on his way in, repeatedly before being stopped late on.

Both look very good on film and easily pass the eye test. But i think Leonard is the king of the lightweight division and loses only to pea, Armstrong and Duran.