BoxRec

I think this would have been a great fight... both were very good boxers with a heavy punch... Brown probably had the edge in skill while Williams perhaps had the edge in power. This would be a close fight but I think brown would be too slippery for Williams and would win a clear decision... views anyone?......

Gotta go with Williams. Ike Williams had a clear advantage in handspeed and the opposition he faced (Beau Jack, Bob Montgomery, Kid Gavilan in 2 competitive non-title bouts are the higher profile guys) was better than Brown's. Ike also had a 2-inch height advantage and an edge in reach over Brown. Even giving Brown the edge in technical skills, the speed and bunches of punches that Williams threw would give him the edge and he'd win by decision or by late KO.

I haven't seen Brown fight, but from what I've read he wasn't too thrilling and relied mostly on his technical skills. Just cruelly efficient, like a Winky Wright. He drew some of the worst crowds as a main eventer in the history of MSG for championship fights.

This is a very interesting matchup between a very underrated and overlooked legend like Brown and a guy that doesn't get his due because of the antics of Palermo, etal...I've thought for sometime that Williams should be considered one of the top 5, if not top 3 lws of all time. I haven't seen enough of either, especially Brown, to comment but I'll follow the conversation and finally watch those Joe Brown tapes...