Ike Williams

When it comes to boxing, few names are as synonymous with greatness as Ike Williams. With a professional career spanning over 14 years, from 1940 until 1954, Williams rose to become one of the very best boxers of his generation, with a record of 128 wins, 24 losses, and 5 draws, including an impressive 61 knockout wins.

Williams' first professional bout took place against Carmine Fotti on March 15, 1940. The 16-year-old Williams was successful, defeating Fotti via 4 round NWS. Despite his young age, Williams quickly made a name for himself with his skill in the ring, building up an impressive resume of fights against some of the toughest opponents of his era.

Williams' first world title fight came on April 18, 1945, after 73 professional fights. He faced off against Juan Zurita for the lightweight NBA title and emerged victorious, winning via 2nd round TKO to become the lightweight champion of the world. This was just the beginning of Williams' titles, however, as he went on to become a one-time unified lightweight world champion, winning a total of three world titles during his career.

Williams' career highlights include some truly legendary boxing matches, and he distinguished himself with his exceptional performance in the ring. One of his most notable fights took place on August 4, 1947, when he became a unified lightweight world champion by beating Bob Montgomery via 6th round TKO. This win earned him the NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring lightweight world-champion belts.

Williams successfully defended his titles against some of the best boxers of his era. On July 12, 1948, he took on Beau Jack in a match that remains legendary to this day. Williams emerged victorious, winning the fight via 6th round TKO and successfully defending his NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring lightweight titles.

Another highlight of Williams' career was his successful defense against Enrique Bolanos on July 21, 1949. Williams won the fight via 4th round TKO, once again successfully defending his NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring lightweight titles.

Throughout his career, Williams faced off against some of the toughest opponents in the sport, including four Hall-of-Famers (Beau Jack, Kid Gavilán, Bob Montgomery, and Sammy Angott), Enrique Bolanos, Ronnie James, Juan Zurita, and Jesse Flores.

Despite his numerous victories, Williams also suffered his share of defeats. He lost a total of 24 fights during his career, including one in a title bout and 23 in non-title bouts. He suffered his first loss against Billy Hildebrand via 6 round PTS on May 10, 1940. Despite these defeats, Williams remained a formidable opponent throughout his career, never backing down in the face of adversity.

Williams' legacy as a boxing legend is undeniable. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) in 1990, a fitting tribute to his many accomplishments in the ring. His name is still remembered and revered by boxing fans around the world, and his performance in the sport continues to inspire new generations of boxers today.

In conclusion, Ike Williams was an exceptional boxer whose record speaks for itself. From his first fight at just 16 years old to his incredible performances in world title bouts, Williams distinguished himself with his skill, bravery, and dedication to the sport of boxing. His legacy will continue to inspire fans and athletes for generations to come.

Ike Williams Fight Record