Editing Cleveland Williams

{{Short description|American professional boxer}}
{{Infobox boxer
|name        = Cleveland Williams
|image       = 
|imagesize   = 
|realname    = 
|nickname    = Big Cat
|weight      = Heavyweight
|height      = 6 ft 2 in<ref name="BoxRec">{{boxrec|9382}}</ref>
|reach       = 78 in<ref name="BoxRec"/>
|birth_date  = {{birth date|1933|6|30}}
|birth_place = [[Griffin, Georgia]], U.S.
|death_date  = {{Death date and age|1999|9|10|1933|6|6}}
|death_place = [[Houston]], Texas, U.S.
|style       = 
|total       = 97
|wins        = 82
|losses      = 13
|draws       = 2
|no contests = 
|KO          = 62
}}

'''Cleveland "Big Cat" Williams''' (June 30, 1933 – September 10, 1999) was an American [[professional boxer]]. A poll in ''[[The Ring (magazine)|The Ring]]'' magazine rated him as one of the finest boxers never to win a title.

==Early life==
Born in Griffin, Georgia, Williams started working at a pulpwood mill at the age of 13, and began his professional boxing career in his home state just a year later. He reported winning four of his first six fights, but was barred from competing until he turned 18 after an official learned of his age.

==Early boxing career==
Williams turned professional in 1951 and fought many of the best heavyweights of his era. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, the 6&nbsp;ft 2 in<ref>[https://boxrec.com/en/proboxer/9382 BoxRec], Cleveland Williams.</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://coxscorner.tripod.com/liston_cf.html#:~:text=Liston%20lost%20his%20eighth%20fight,a%20sixth%20round%20kayo%20win | title=The Case for Sonny Liston | website=coxscorner.tripod.com | first=Charles | last=Farrell}}</ref> Williams recovered from the Liston fight to score more wins, but was again stopped by Liston in two 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 on March 13, 1963, to [[Ernie Terrell]], a fighter he had previously knocked out in seven rounds in 1962. During this time frame, he defeated Billy Daniels.

==Police shooting incident==
On the evening of November 29, 1964, during the height of the civil unrest of the [[American Civil Rights Movement]], a car driven by Williams was stopped near Houston, Texas, by highway Patrolman Dale Witten, who stated afterwards Williams was speeding. According to the police report Williams resisted arrest, and the officer's .357 magnum revolver went off during an ensuing struggle, hitting Williams in the stomach and lodging in his right hip. Williams underwent four operations over the subsequent seven months to address injuries to his colon and right kidney. The right kidney ultimately had to be removed in June 1965. Doctors could not extract the bullet, which had broken his right hip joint and caused partial paralysis of some of the hip's muscles, over {{convert|10|feet|meters}} of his [[small intestine]] had to be removed, and [[Nerve injury|nerve damage]] affected his left leg above the knee and caused it to atrophy as a result.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19641130&id=6FUaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=iycEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5058,6536612&hl=en | title=Unknown}}{{Dead link|date=February 2022 | fix-attempted=yes}}</ref> Hugh Benbow, his manager, and [[Sonny Liston]], former world champion, visited Cleveland Williams in the hospital. After his partial recovery Williams was fined $50 and briefly jailed after pleading no contest to charges arising from the incident. (Patrolman Witten visited Williams to wish him luck the day before his 1966 fight with Muhammad Ali, with both men saying they had "no hard feelings" toward the other).<ref name="AP">{{cite news|title=Williams, Patrolman Meet Again—as Pals|publisher=Associated Press|work=[[The Spokesman-Review]]|date=November 14, 1966|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1314&dat=19661114&id=lw0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=2436,4593167&hl=en}}</ref>

==Recovery and return to boxing==
The injury, surgeries and subsequent convalescence caused Williams to lose over 60 pounds (27&nbsp;kg), and over 17 months of his career. He regained his weight and strength by tossing 80-pound (36&nbsp;kg) bales of hay daily on a cattle ranch till he had regained his fighting weight and physique. On February 8, 1966, Williams received a standing ovation from the Houston crowd as he returned to the ring, and knocked out Ben Black in the first round.<ref name="nyt">{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1999/09/15/sports/cleveland-williams-66-loser-to-ali-for-title-dies.html|title=Cleveland Williams, 66, Loser to Ali for Title, Dies|newspaper=The New York Times|date=15 September 1999|last1=Goldstein|first1=Richard}}</ref>

Williams competed for the heavyweight championship against [[Muhammad Ali]] on November 14, 1966, but was badly outclassed, and was knocked down twice in the third round ending the match. Williams retired from boxing after the 1966 Championship defeat, but later made a comeback. Although able to defeat journeymen fighters, he suffered several knockout losses before retiring permanently in 1972.

==Later life==
''The Ring'' in the 1980s reported he worked as a forklift truck driver in his later years.{{Citation needed|date=March 2011}}

==Death==
On September 3, 1999, Williams was knocked down by a car in a [[hit and run]] while walking across a street in [[Houston]], [[Texas]]; he died of his injuries at [[Ben Taub Hospital]] on September 10, 1999,
at the age of 66.<ref name="nyt"/> Williams was buried in Paradise North Cemetery in Houston.

==Tributes==
He ended his career with a record of 82 wins (62 KOs), 13 losses and 2 draws. During an interview after his retirement, [[George Foreman]] described Williams as having one of the three hardest punches he had experienced professionally, also stating that he and Williams had been sparring partners early in their careers.{{citation needed|date=February 2017}} [[George Chuvalo]] also said Williams was one of the hardest punchers he had faced in his own professional career. Williams, aged 38, lost by decision to veteran Chuvalo over 10 rounds at the Astrodome in Houston, Texas, in November 1971.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://boxrec.com/boxer/9382|title = BoxRec: Cleveland Williams}}</ref> [[Sonny Liston]] stated Williams was the hardest puncher he'd ever been in the ring with.

In 2003 Williams was ranked 49th in ''The Ring''{{'}}s list of 100 greatest punchers of all time.

==Professional boxing record==
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|ko-wins=62
|ko-losses=8
|dec-wins=19
|dec-losses=5
|dq-wins=1
|dq-losses=
|draws=2
|nc=
}}
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!{{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result
!Record
!Opponent
!Type
!Round, time
!Date
!Age
!Location
!Notes
|-
|97
|{{yes2}}Win
|82–13–2
|align=left| Roberto Davila
|UD
|10
|Oct 28, 1973
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1973|10|28}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, US}}
|
|-
|96
|{{yes2}}Win
|81–13–2
|align=left| Bob Mashburn
|KO
|9 (10), {{small|0:51}}
|Jul 10, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1972|7|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Mile High Stadium, Denver, Colorado, US}}
|
|-
|95
|{{yes2}}Win
|80–13–2
|align=left| Terry Daniels
|UD
|12
|May 11, 1972
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1972|5|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, US}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Won vacant Texas State heavyweight title}}
|-
|94
|{{no2}}Loss
|79–13–2
|align=left| [[George Chuvalo]]
|UD
|10
|Nov 17, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1971|11|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Astrodome, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|93
|{{no2}}Loss
|79–12–2
|align=left| [[Jack O'Halloran]]
|SD
|10
|Sep 21, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1971|9|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|92
|{{yes2}}Win
|79–11–2
|align=left| Ted Gullick
|MD
|10
|Apr 28, 1971
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1971|4|28}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, US}}
|
|-
|91
|{{no2}}Loss
|78–11–2
|align=left| [[Alvin Lewis (boxer)|Alvin Lewis]]
|TKO
|4 (10), {{small|2:39}}
|Oct 21, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1970|10|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, US}}
|
|-
|90
|{{yes2}}Win
|78–10–2
|align=left| Roberto Davila
|UD
|10
|May 26, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1970|5|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US}}
|
|-
|89
|{{yes2}}Win
|77–10–2
|align=left| Eddie Brooks
|TKO
|1 (12), {{small|2:49}}
|Apr 14, 1970
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1970|4|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, US}}
|
|-
|88
|{{yes2}}Win
|76–10–2
|align=left| Leroy Caldwell
|TKO
|10 (10)
|Dec 9, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1969|12|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Orlando Sports Stadium, Orlando, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|87
|{{no2}}Loss
|75–10–2
|align=left| [[Mac Foster]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|1:37}}
|Nov 18, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1969|11|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|86
|{{no2}}Loss
|75–9–2
|align=left| [[Mac Foster]]
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|1:35}}
|Sep 13, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1969|9|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Selland Arena, Fresno, California, US}}
|
|-
|85
|{{no2}}Loss
|75–8–2
|align=left| Al Jones
|TKO
|8 (10), {{small|0:11}}
|May 20, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1969|5|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|84
|{{yes2}}Win
|75–7–2
|align=left| Charley Polite
|UD
|10
|Mar 18, 1969
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1969|3|18}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|83
|{{no2}}Loss
|74–7–2
|align=left| Bob Cleroux
|UD
|10
|Nov 21, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1968|11|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada}}
|
|-
|82
|{{yes2}}Win
|74–6–2
|align=left| Moses Harrell
|TKO
|7 (10), {{small|2:26}}
|Oct 7, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1968|10|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|81
|{{yes2}}Win
|73–6–2
|align=left| Jean Roy
|UD
|10
|Aug 6, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1968|8|6}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|80
|{{yes2}}Win
|72–6–2
|align=left| Leslie Borden
|KO
|1 (10)
|Jun 25, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1968|6|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|79
|{{yes2}}Win
|71–6–2
|align=left| Mike Bruce
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:22}}
|Jun 11, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1968|6|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|78
|{{yes2}}Win
|70–6–2
|align=left| Roy Crear
|KO
|1 (10)
|May 21, 1968
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1968|5|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|77
|{{no2}}Loss
|69–6–2
|align=left| [[Boxing career of Muhammad Ali|Muhammad Ali]]
|TKO
|3 (15), {{small|1:28}}
|[[Muhammad Ali vs. Cleveland Williams|Nov 14, 1966]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1966|11|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Astrodome, Houston, Texas, US}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|For [[List of WBC world champions#Heavyweight|WBC]], [[New York State Athletic Commission|NYSAC]], and [[List of The Ring world champions#Heavyweight|''The Ring'' heavyweight titles]]}}
|-
|76
|{{yes2}}Win
|69–5–2
|align=left| Tod Herring
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|0:25}}
|Jun 28, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1966|6|28}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|75
|{{yes2}}Win
|68–5–2
|align=left| Sonny Moore
|UD
|10
|Apr 19, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1966|4|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|74
|{{yes2}}Win
|67–5–2
|align=left| Mel Turnbow
|UD
|10
|Mar 22, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1966|3|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|73
|{{yes2}}Win
|66–5–2
|align=left| Ben Black
|KO
|1 (10)
|Feb 8, 1966
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1966|2|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|72
|{{yes2}}Win
|65–5–2
|align=left| Billy Daniels
|UD
|10
|Sep 30, 1964
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1964|9|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|71
|{{yes2}}Win
|64–5–2
|align=left| [[Sonny Banks]]
|TKO
|6 (10)
|Jul 21, 1964
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1964|7|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|70
|{{yes2}}Win
|63–5–2
|align=left| Tommy Fields
|UD
|10
|Apr 7, 1964
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1964|4|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|69
|{{yes2}}Win
|62–5–2
|align=left| Roger Rischer
|KO
|3 (10)
|Oct 8, 1963
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1963|10|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|68
|{{yes2}}Win
|61–5–2
|align=left| Kirk Barrow
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:15}}
|Aug 13, 1963
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1963|8|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|67
|{{no2}}Loss
|60–5–2
|align=left| [[Ernie Terrell]]
|SD
|10
|Apr 13, 1963
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1963|4|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US}}
|
|-
|66
|{{yes2}}Win
|60–4–2
|align=left| Young Jack Johnson
|TKO
|10 (10)
|Apr 2, 1963
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1963|4|2}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|65
|{{yes2}}Win
|59–4–2
|align=left| Billy Daniels
|UD
|10
|Mar 9, 1963
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1963|3|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Convention Center, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|64
|{{yes2}}Win
|58–4–2
|align=left| Dave Bailey
|KO
|5 (10), {{small|2:56}}
|Oct 23, 1962
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1962|10|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|63
|{{draw}}Draw
|57–4–2
|align=left| [[Eddie Machen]]
|PTS
|10
|Jul 10, 1962
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1962|7|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|62
|{{yes2}}Win
|57–4–1
|align=left| Alonzo Johnson
|KO
|1 (10)
|May 15, 1962
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1962|5|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|61
|{{yes2}}Win
|56–4–1
|align=left| [[Ernie Terrell]]
|TKO
|7 (10), {{small|1:43}}
|Apr 3, 1962
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1962|4|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|60
|{{yes2}}Win
|55–4–1
|align=left| James Wiley
|KO
|1 (10)
|Dec 19, 1961
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1961|12|19}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|59
|{{yes2}}Win
|54–4–1
|align=left| Alex Miteff
|TKO
|5 (10), {{small|1:32}}
|May 16, 1961
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1961|5|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|58
|{{yes2}}Win
|53–4–1
|align=left| Wayne Bethea
|UD
|10
|Feb 7, 1961
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1961|2|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|57
|{{yes2}}Win
|52–4–1
|align=left| Johnny Hayden
|KO
|2 (10)
|Dec 7, 1960
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1960|12|7}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|56
|{{yes2}}Win
|51–4–1
|align=left| George Moore
|KO
|4 (10)
|Nov 1, 1960
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1960|11|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|55
|{{yes2}}Win
|50–4–1
|align=left| Ben Marshall
|KO
|2 (10)
|Oct 24, 1960
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1960|10|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|54
|{{no2}}Loss
|49–4–1
|align=left| [[Sonny Liston]]
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|2:13}}
|Mar 21, 1960
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1960|3|21}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|53
|{{yes2}}Win
|49–3–1
|align=left| Curley Lee
|KO
|10 (10), {{small|0:58}}
|Oct 14, 1959
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1959|10|14}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|52
|{{yes2}}Win
|48–3–1
|align=left| Ernie Cab
|KO
|8 (10), {{small|1:05}}
|May 26, 1959
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1959|5|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|51
|{{no2}}Loss
|47–3–1
|align=left| [[Sonny Liston]]
|TKO
|3 (10), {{small|2:04}}
|Apr 15, 1959
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1959|4|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|50
|{{yes2}}Win
|47–2–1
|align=left| Ollie Wilson
|KO
|3 (10)
|Jan 13, 1959
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1959|1|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|49
|{{yes2}}Win
|46–2–1
|align=left| Howie Turner
|PTS
|10
|Dec 9, 1958
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1958|12|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|48
|{{yes2}}Win
|45–2–1
|align=left| Frankie Daniels
|UD
|10
|Jun 3, 1958
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1958|6|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|47
|{{yes2}}Win
|44–2–1
|align=left| [[Dick Richardson (boxer)|Dick Richardson]]
|DQ
|4 (10)
|Mar 25, 1958
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1958|3|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Earls Court Empress Hall, Kensington, London, England, UK}}
|
|-
|46
|{{yes2}}Win
|43–2–1
|align=left| Gene White
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:38}}
|Feb 4, 1958
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1958|2|4}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|45
|{{yes2}}Win
|42–2–1
|align=left| Frankie Daniels
|UD
|10
|Dec 3, 1957
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1957|12|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|44
|{{yes2}}Win
|41–2–1
|align=left| John Holman
|KO
|7 (10)
|Oct 15, 1957
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1957|10|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|43
|{{yes2}}Win
|40–2–1
|align=left| Bob Albright
|KO
|7 (10)
|Sep 17, 1957
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1957|9|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|42
|{{yes2}}Win
|39–2–1
|align=left| Clifford Gray
|KO
|1 (10)
|Jul 23, 1957
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1957|7|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|41
|{{yes2}}Win
|38–2–1
|align=left| J.D. Marshall
|TKO
|2 (10), {{small|2:40}}
|Jul 15, 1957
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1957|7|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Tyler, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|40
|{{yes2}}Win
|37–2–1
|align=left| Johnny Mason
|KO
|1 (10)
|Jun 11, 1957
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1957|6|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|39
|{{yes2}}Win
|36–2–1
|align=left| Johnny Hollins
|TKO
|3 (10)
|Aug 6, 1956
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1956|8|6}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|City Coliseum, Austin, Texas, US}}
|
|-
|38
|{{no2}}Loss
|35–2–1
|align=left| [[Bob Satterfield]]
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|1:03}}
|Jun 22, 1954
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1954|6|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|37
|{{yes2}}Win
|35–1–1
|align=left| Sylvester Jones
|KO
|6 (10)
|Jun 8, 1954
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1954|6|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|36
|{{yes2}}Win
|34–1–1
|align=left| Jimmy Walls
|TKO
|1 (10), {{small|2:43}}
|Mar 9, 1954
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1954|3|9}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|35
|{{yes2}}Win
|33–1–1
|align=left| Jack Walsh
|KO
|8 (10)
|Nov 10, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|11|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|34
|{{yes2}}Win
|32–1–1
|align=left| Bo Willis
|KO
|2 (10)
|Oct 20, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|10|20}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|33
|{{yes2}}Win
|31–1–1
|align=left| Claude Rolfe
|KO
|3 (10), {{small|2:10}}
|Oct 1, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|10|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Armory, Charlotte, North Carolina, US}}
|
|-
|32
|{{no2}}Loss
|30–1–1
|align=left| Sylvester Jones
|PTS
|4
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Roland La Starza|Sep 24, 1953]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|9|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Polo Grounds, New York City, New York, US}}
|
|-
|31
|{{yes2}}Win
|30–0–1
|align=left| Keene Simmons
|UD
|10
|Sep 1, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|9|1}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|30
|{{yes2}}Win
|29–0–1
|align=left| Omelio Agramonte
|UD
|10
|May 12, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|5|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|29
|{{yes2}}Win
|28–0–1
|align=left| Bob Garner
|KO
|7 (10)
|Mar 31, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|3|31}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|28
|{{yes2}}Win
|27–0–1
|align=left| Ponce de Leon
|KO
|2 (10)
|Mar 24, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|3|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|27
|{{yes2}}Win
|26–0–1
|align=left| Terry O'Connor
|TKO
|3 (8)
|Mar 12, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|3|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Minneapolis, Minnesota, US}}
|
|-
|26
|{{yes2}}Win
|25–0–1
|align=left| Ponce de Leon
|PTS
|8
|Mar 4, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|3|4}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Miami Stadium, Miami, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|25
|{{yes2}}Win
|24–0–1
|align=left| Abie Gibson
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|1:22}}
|Jan 13, 1953
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1953|1|13}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|24
|{{yes2}}Win
|23–0–1
|align=left| Graveyard Walters
|KO
|2 (10)
|Dec 8, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|12|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Beach Arena, Daytona Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|23
|{{yes2}}Win
|22–0–1
|align=left| Claude Rolfe
|KO
|9 (10), {{small|1:55}}
|Nov 25, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|11|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|22
|{{yes2}}Win
|21–0–1
|align=left| Johnny Hollins
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:48}}
|Oct 3, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|10|3}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US}}
|
|-
|21
|{{yes2}}Win
|20–0–1
|align=left| Joe McFadden
|TKO
|3 (6), {{small|2:09}}
|[[Rocky Marciano vs. Jersey Joe Walcott|Sep 23, 1952]]
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|9|23}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US}}
|
|-
|20
|{{yes2}}Win
|19–0–1
|align=left| Art Henri
|TKO
|8 (10), {{small|0:30}}
|Sep 16, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|9|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|19
|{{yes2}}Win
|18–0–1
|align=left| Roosevelt Holmes
|KO
|1 (10), {{small|2:10}}
|Sep 12, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|9|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US}}
|
|-
|18
|{{yes2}}Win
|17–0–1
|align=left| Baby Booze
|KO
|1 (6)
|Sep 2, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|9|2}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|17
|{{yes2}}Win
|16–0–1
|align=left| Candy McDaniels
|KO
|2 (10)
|Aug 12, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|8|12}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|16
|{{yes2}}Win
|15–0–1
|align=left| Sam Harold
|KO
|4 (6)
|Jul 25, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|7|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|City Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, US}}
|
|-
|15
|{{yes2}}Win
|14–0–1
|align=left| Lee Raymond
|TKO
|5 (10)
|Jul 22, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|7|22}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|14
|{{yes2}}Win
|13–0–1
|align=left| Jimmy Felton
|KO
|3 (8)
|Jul 8, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|7|8}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|13
|{{yes2}}Win
|12–0–1
|align=left| Eddie Joe Williams
|KO
|1 (8)
|Jun 24, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|6|24}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Daytona Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|12
|{{yes2}}Win
|11–0–1
|align=left| Harry Turner
|KO
|1 (8)
|Jun 17, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|6|17}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Municipal Auditorium, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|11
|{{yes2}}Win
|10–0–1
|align=left| Paul Favorite
|KO
|4 (10)
|Jun 10, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|6|10}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|10
|{{yes2}}Win
|9–0–1
|align=left| Ray Brown
|KO
|3 (6)
|May 28, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|5|28}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Auditorium, Miami Beach, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|9
|{{yes2}}Win
|8–0–1
|align=left| Johnny Fowler
|KO
|5 (6)
|Apr 15, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|4|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|8
|{{yes2}}Win
|7–0–1
|align=left| Ray Banks
|KO
|1 (6)
|Mar 28, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|3|28}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US}}
|
|-
|7
|{{yes2}}Win
|6–0–1
|align=left| Roosevelt Holmes
|UD
|6
|Feb 29, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|2|29}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US}}
|
|-
|6
|{{yes2}}Win
|5–0–1
|align=left| Rudolph Wood
|KO
|2 (4)
|Feb 26, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|2|26}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|5
|{{yes2}}Win
|4–0–1
|align=left| Ray Banks
|TKO
|1 (6)
|Feb 15, 1952
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1952|2|15}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US}}
|
|-
|4
|{{yes2}}Win
|3–0–1
|align=left| Lee Hunt
|KO
|2 (4)
|Dec 11, 1951
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1951|12|11}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Fort Homer Hesterly Armory, Tampa, Florida, US}}
|
|-
|3
|{{draw}}Draw
|2–0–1
|align=left| Dan Bolston
|PTS
|4
|Nov 16, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1949|11|16}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|City Auditorium, Macon, Georgia, US}}
|
|-
|2
|{{yes2}}Win
|2–0
|align=left| Phillip Nelson
|TKO
|3 (4)
|Jun 30, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1949|6|30}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Griffin High School Gym, Griffin, Georgia, US}}
|
|-
|1
|{{yes2}}Win
|1–0
|align=left| Al Williams
|TKO
|2 (4)
|Mar 25, 1949
|style="text-align:left;"|{{age in years and days|1933|6|30|1949|3|25}}
|style="text-align:left;"|{{small|Griffin High School Gym, Griffin, Georgia, US}}
|
|-
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
* {{boxrec|id=9382}}
* [http://hannibalboxing.com/brief-lives-cleveland-williams/ Brief Lives - Cleveland Williams from Hannibal Boxing]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Cleveland}}
[[Category:1933 births]]
[[Category:1999 deaths]]
[[Category:Heavyweight boxers]]
[[Category:American male boxers]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]