Cleveland Williams vs. Eddie Machen

Cleveland Williams 211 lbs drew with Eddie Machen 198 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1962-07-10
• Location: Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USA
• Referee: Jimmy Webb 96-96
• Judge: Earl Keel 97-94
• Judge: Ernie Taylor 96-96

"Eddie Machen, 198, and Cleveland Williams, 211 1/2, ruined their immediate chances for a heavyweight title shot last night with a cautiously fought 10 round draw. Both Machen, the No. 2 heavyweight contender, and Williams, ranked No. 5, climbed into the ring hoping to come out with a clearcut right to challenge the Sonny Liston-Floyd Patterson winner for the title. Machen came out unscarred, Williams had a cut on the mouth and a mouse over his right eye. Williams, a powerful left hooker, shook Machen in the 3rd and 8th rounds. Machen scored heavily with his effective counter-punching." -The Fresno Bee

• Both fighters received $22,000 apiece from the gate
• This bout had previously been scheduled twice before. Originally it was to take place in MSG on February 10th of '62 but was postponed when Machen slipped on ice and injured his back. That bout was replaced by a 10 rounder between Cassius Clay and Sonny Banks. Machen and Williams was rescheduled for MSG on June 9th of '62 but was again postponed when Machen was cut in training. That bout was replaced by the first bout between Denny Moyer and Teddy Wright. Finally the bout took place in Houston.

Post fight comment

• "In a way he's tougher to fight than Liston because he has the speed the other doesn't have. You can't walk around Cleveland like you can Liston." -Eddie Machen