Cleveland Williams vs. Ben Black
Cleveland Williams 214 lbs beat Ben Black 233 lbs by KO at 2:43 in round 1 of 10
- Date: 1966-02-08
- Location: Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USA
- Attendance - 7,500
- Gate - $23,000
"Making his first start in 14 months, following his recovery from a gun-shot wound, the 'Big Cat,' Cleveland Williams, needed less than a round to dispose of Ben Black of Chicago before a surprisingly large crowd. Black, ten years younger than his 32 year old opponent, tore into Cleve at the opening bell and battered him with both hands. Williams rode out the onslaught and launched a counter-attack of his own and quickly nailed Black with a left hook that spun him into the ropes; then a powerful right dropped him. Ben was still on the floor when referee Jimmy Webb reached ten, but as he was getting up and appeared to be clear-headed, Webb allowed the fight to continue. There are few heavyweights who have the finishing qualities of Williams and he wasted little time and few punches on Black. A left-right-left combo to the head spilled him again and this time the count was completed before he was able to stagger to his feet. The time was 2:43 of the 1st round." -Boxing Illustrated, May 1966 issue