Ike Williams vs. Whitaker

This is a tough one. And it's pretty unfair on both guys because of the difference in eras. But seeing as you asked. I think Pete has the stylistic advantage, but Williams was one mean, vicious fighter. It's a toss up but i'm ganna go with them to split fights and Pete to win the decider.

Ike Williams is top 5 or 6 best lightweights ever though, and that's saying something because lightweight is historically one of the two best and most stacked divisions in the sport, along with welterweight. From a modern stand point, he is even money with Aaron Pryor, Floyd Mayweather and Sweet Pete at 135 or 140lbs.

Look at his ko of the great Beau jack. Ike Williams was one bad mean dude. He was a very vicious man, from what I could see and know. Besides the black and white and hair cuts, there is not much difference in the great fighters of then (post 1930's) and modern era, in terms of technique.

Ike maybe loses the first fight on decision against Whitaker, but just like he did against another great lightweight of the time Bob Montgomery, comes back and wins the return.

I always say the only fighter i would maybe back to beat Whitaker at lightweight is Roberto Duran.

 

damn this is a good matchup. i'm going to say that i don't know who would win this one, and i'm sticking to my pick!

 

Whitaker would have Ike's number locked up. My opinion on this one has never changed.

 

Yeah, pretty much. I know you asked McGrain, but I'm sure he'd say the same. Ike took his opportunities when they presented themselves for the most part. Those opportunities would seldom be there with Whitaker, and as solid a technical boxer as Ike was, he's certainly not going to be winning that aspect of the fight. If he does hurt him at some point (very possible), I can't see a finish, as good as Ike was in that regard. Whitaker was just too tough and too poised.

I'd say something like 9-3 over 12 (possibly a 10-8 for Ike in there with a KD).

 

I'm going against the masses on this one. These two and Duran are my top 3 LW's head to head, and any could beat the other on a given night.

I think Williams has the speed and power to drop Pernell, and the tenacity and conditioning to keep it going.

I don't see Whitaker having the power to keep Ike honest, and I think he wins plenty of rounds, but Ike isn't exactly a slacker in the skills department himself. He can keep up with Whitaker enough to make his moments count.

Williams W15 Whitaker

 

I think this is absolutely true - but what's 'it'? For me, 'it' would be stalking and attempting to attack but not really getting much work done (in the grand scheme of things). Williams was well-rounded in all aspects of the game but if lacking one facet, it was perhaps that effortlessness of an attacking supremo like Jose Napoles or Roberto Duran; Williams was probably more lethal than both - but not necessarily against such a slippery target. I maintain that Williams twice displays on film (Jack, Gatica) some almost unparalleled punching ability - but he'd need a somewhat softer, more points based method of set ups and traps more akin to how the aforementioned may have feinted and rushed with evasiveness in order to land counter punches.

Williams would make it close because his hands and reflexes were quick in their own right (and he could battle with just a jab), but I've always believed Williams was most comfortable when he could sit back and let a fighter fall onto his punches. When in that situation, he looked the business. Whitaker would make Williams look a bit of a faker; like a natural slugger who was trying his best to remember the fundamentals. This is may be a slight exaggeration, but Whitaker tended to have that effect on even his best opponents.

Williams could and might very well take Whitaker down as some point, but he wouldn't be able to keep him there.

9-5-1 Whitaker or thereabouts.

 

What does this mean?

 

It means Whitaker doesn't have the power to demand enough respect for Ike to be overly cautious.

 

Ike wouldn't be overly cautious, but he was never overly aggressive until he had an opponent hurt. It's why a slickster like Willie Joyce was able to give him so many issues and beat him 3 out of 4, and why Williams was at his best (As Manassa said) when the opponents came to him, a la Beau Jack. He'd stand his ground and box, in which case he's more than out-matched by Whitaker. Eventually he may start to go for broke, but that wasn't his game.

 

Whittaker probably beats any man below the welterweight limit.