Ingemar Johannson gives Cleveland Big Cat Williams A Title Shot In 1959.

Like David Tua?

 

Tua at least beat some good contenders, overrated by some but his resume dumps on Williams

 

Ingo is one of the weaker champs in history.

Alongside Leon Spinx he offers that grey area where someone who never was champion has a good shot at being better than someone who was.

For my money, Williams knocks him out.

 

No disrespect but your efforts to turn comedian some 6 months or so ago haven't been overly effective. In all seriousness what is your actual age? I am mildly intrigued.

 

I'm a stand up comedian, that's how I make my living.

 

Was Sonny actually hurt vs Williams? It seems that Liston took the shots pretty well. And while the Liston/Folley fight isn't on film that we know of, Folley, who was 198 pounds in their fight, managed to back Liston up with his shots according to a very detailed newspaper report on the fight. Williams really did no better than Folley did.

 

You would be lighter than a flyweight.

 

I'm almost as heavy as a cruiserweight

 

You wouldn't make enough as a stand up comedian to buy food!!!!

 

Williams is not getting past Ingo in 1959. Nice guy. Just Not good enough.

 

why should Cleveland Williams be fighting anyone for the title in 1959?

In 1959 Williams started the year beating 19lb lighter, 10-15 Ollie Wilson who had won just 3 of 11 of his most recent fights. Williams predictably won in the third round, a round longer than it took veteran lightheavyweight Harold Johnson to do it months earlier.

Then Williams was crushed by Sonny Liston in three rounds.

After this the next guy he fought in 1959 was Ernie Cab. Cab, A late replacement for another overmatched guy who was losing lots of fights at this time was 13-10. Cab was also fresh off a hard loss to Sonny Liston. “Cleveland Williams, 215, of Houston kayoed Ernie Cab, 219, of NY City in a heavyweight fight Tuesday night. The knockout came in 1:05 of the 8th round. Fans were surprised that the game but outclassed NY fighter lasted as long as he did”.

Maybe this win showed Williams can still beat guys like the ones he was beating before he lost to Liston? I am not sure this is enough to challenge for a title. Cab actually lasted longer against Liston than Williams had.

The last bout Williams had of 1959 was against another substitute, a 30lb lighter opponent called Curley Lee who had quite a good record. But Williams was too strong for Lee who never fought again. Williams still said this was his toughest fight. Boxing Illustrated, September 1961, page 30 Lee was substituting for Sonny Liston, the No. 3 heavyweight, who hurt his hand in training and would punish Williams again in his next fight. This time in just two rounds.

I don’t think it should have happened. By 1959 Williams had been exposed by Liston, himself lower in the ranks than Ingo had been when he won the title. Williams still has not got a win over a good fighter. He’s beating substitutes between losing to Liston. That’s it.

 

Ingo... I agree.

 

I'm the comedic GOAT

 

true. Alfredo Evangelista KOs 5 Tyson.