Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams (June 6, 1933–September 3, 1999) was an American heavyweight boxer who fought in the 1950s through the 1970s. A Ring Magazine poll once rated him as one of the finest boxers who never won a title. Williams turned professional in 1951 and fought the best heavyweights of his era. He is best known for the two brutal bouts he had with Sonny Liston. Liston often said Williams was the hardest puncher he ever fought. is the 157th day of the year (158th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1933 (MCMXXXIII) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ... For other senses of these words, see boxing (disambiguation) or boxer (disambiguation). ... Front cover of the first issue of Ring Magazine Ring Magazine is a boxing magazine that was first published in 1922. ... Year 1951 (MCMLI) was a common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Charles L. Sonny Liston (May 8?, 1932–December 30?, 1970) was a formidable boxer who became world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round. ...

Williams had been inactive the entire year of 1965 while recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered at the hands of a police officer arising out of traffic stop. Williams was shot with a .357 Magnum in the abdomen, barely survived, and suffered permanent kidney damage, a loss of over ten feet of his small intestine, and nerve damage from the bullet which affected his left leg above the knee, causing it to atrophy as a result. In this greatly diminished physical condition Williams fought for the heavyweight championship against Muhammad Ali on November 14, 1966 and was stopped in the third round. Year 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the 1965 Gregorian calendar. ... For other persons named Muhammad Ali, see Muhammad Ali (disambiguation). ... is the 318th day of the year (319th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1966 (MCMLXVI) was a common year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the 1966 Gregorian calendar. ...

Williams retired from boxing in 1972. In 1999, Cleveland Williams was tragically killed in a hit and run accident. Year 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the year. ...

During the late 1950s and early 1960s the 6'3" Williams was a top rated heavyweight. His quest to obtain a title fight, however, was consistently derailed.. First he was knocked out by Sonny Liston on April 15, 1959, after hurting Liston early and breaking Liston's nose. Charles L. Sonny Liston (May 8?, 1932–December 30?, 1970) was a formidable boxer who became world heavyweight champion in 1962 by knocking out Floyd Patterson in the first round. ... is the 105th day of the year (106th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1959 (MCMLIX) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Williams recovered from the Liston fight to score more wins, but was again stopped by Liston in 2 rounds in their rematch on March 21, 1960. His quest for the title was later stalled when he was held to a draw by Eddie Machen on July 10, 1962, and when he dropped a split decision to Ernie Terrell on March 13, 1963, a fighter he had previously knocked out in 7 rounds in 1962. During this time frame he defeated Billy Daniels. is the 80th day of the year (81st in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1960 (MCMLX) was a leap year starting on Friday (link will display full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Edward Mills Machen was born in Redding, CA, on June 15, 1932. ... is the 191st day of the year (192nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Year 1962 (MCMLXII) was a common year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1962 calendar) of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ernie Terrell (born on April 4, 1939 in Belzoni, Mississippi) is an American singer, record producer, and former World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight boxing champion. ... is the 72nd day of the year (73rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see 1963 (disambiguation). ...

Prior to the Ali fight, Williams' best comeback victory was a knockout over Tod Herring.

Williams retired from boxing after the Ali bout, but later made a comeback. Although able to defeat journeymen fighters, he suffered several knockout losses before retiring for good in 1972. Williams finished his career with a record of 78 wins (58 KOs), 13 losses and 1 draw. He was named to the Ring Magazine's list of 100 greatest punchers of all time. In 2003, Ring magazine published a list of 100 greatest punchers of all time in boxing, as voted by the magazines writers. ...

External links

Wikiquote has a collection of quotations related to:

Cleveland Williams

• Professional boxing record for Cleveland Williams from Boxrec