Roy "Tiger" Williams

[Terry A]

He fought Larry Holmes & was one of Ali's sparing partners. In Larry Holmes' biography, he relates a story of Williams thinking Ali owed him some money, so he gets real verbally aggressive with Ali & it ends up in the ring. In the book, Holmes says Williams & Ali really went at it, with Williams insulting Ali the whole time. Williams ended up serving life in prison for murder.
Does anyone remember what happened or have other stories about him? Sounds a lot like Charlie "Devil" Green. Thanks.

[SABBATH]

Here is a good clip of Ali introducing Roy Williams and sparring with him prior to his fight with George Foreman. Roy is introduced by Ali near the end of the first video then spars with him at the beginning of the second video.

[SABBATH]

[SABBATH]

[Terry A]

Thanks, Sabbath, for posting the video & picture. That video was new to me.
From what I gathered about Williams, he supposedly robbed someone, then beat them to death with a brick while the guy was laying on the ground. He is serving life in a Pennsylvania prison.

[SABBATH]

I would like to see the Larry Holmes-Roy Williams fight but I would most like to see the Roy Williams-Earnie Shavers fight by which accounts I've read was a very exciting slugfest. Here is a description of the fight's climax I picked up from another site.

The ninth round of the Roy "Tiger" Williams- Earnie Shavers fight on December 11, 1976 saw a big change both ways (but it was the 10th that was memorable). The Tiger started strong in the ninth and landed a number of solid shots He seemed in charge but then tired midway though the round and Ernie came on, bombing away and Roy had to hold on and regroup. With about a minute to go, it happened. Roy snapped off one of the hardest left hooks I have ever seen and staggered Earnie who was now in big trouble. Ernie had no answer and likely was saved by the bell. He staggered back to his corner a very tired boxer.

The 10th and last round began and Shavers came out visibly exhausted while Williams appeared confident and ready to end matters and finally emerge as a serious heavyweight contender. He quickly moved Earnie into a corner and applied brutal, non- stop punishment until the Referee called a standing 8 count. Roy thought the fight had been stopped, turned around and raised his hands in victory but when he turned back to see a determined Shavers still standing. The Tiger's spirit visibly sagged. Still, he came on and hit Shavers with blows that would surely have knocked out anybody else. Then, all of a sudden, Shavers started to connect with some medium hard blows to Roy's body which slowed him down. Suddenly he connected with one of his deadly uppercuts with Tiger on the ropes and it straightened him up. He was now hurt and Ernie sensed it. He moved the Tiger into a corner and began throwing his own bombs. Roy could not withstand the ferocious onslaught and the Referee now gave him a standing eight, incredibly the second in the round! Ernie stood poised, albeit exhausted, and ready to go. As the referee ordered Roy to begin fighting, he took a step forward, hesitated, and then collapsed in the corner a beaten man. Ernie sagged over the ropes too tired to celebrate. The fight was over. That was some 10th round!

[Ted The Bull]

I would like to see the Larry Holmes-Roy Williams fight but I would most like to see the Roy Williams-Earnie Shavers fight by which accounts I've read was a very exciting slugfest. Here is a description of the fight's climax I picked up from another site.

The ninth round of the Roy "Tiger" Williams- Earnie Shavers fight on December 11, 1976 saw a big change both ways (but it was the 10th that was memorable). The Tiger started strong in the ninth and landed a number of solid shots He seemed in charge but then tired midway though the round and Ernie came on, bombing away and Roy had to hold on and regroup. With about a minute to go, it happened. Roy snapped off one of the hardest left hooks I have ever seen and staggered Earnie who was now in big trouble. Ernie had no answer and likely was saved by the bell. He staggered back to his corner a very tired boxer.

The 10th and last round began and Shavers came out visibly exhausted while Williams appeared confident and ready to end matters and finally emerge as a serious heavyweight contender. He quickly moved Earnie into a corner and applied brutal, non- stop punishment until the Referee called a standing 8 count. Roy thought the fight had been stopped, turned around and raised his hands in victory but when he turned back to see a determined Shavers still standing. The Tiger's spirit visibly sagged. Still, he came on and hit Shavers with blows that would surely have knocked out anybody else. Then, all of a sudden, Shavers started to connect with some medium hard blows to Roy's body which slowed him down. Suddenly he connected with one of his deadly uppercuts with Tiger on the ropes and it straightened him up. He was now hurt and Ernie sensed it. He moved the Tiger into a corner and began throwing his own bombs. Roy could not withstand the ferocious onslaught and the Referee now gave him a standing eight, incredibly the second in the round! Ernie stood poised, albeit exhausted, and ready to go. As the referee ordered Roy to begin fighting, he took a step forward, hesitated, and then collapsed in the corner a beaten man. Ernie sagged over the ropes too tired to celebrate. The fight was over. That was some 10th round!

Yes, that is from my article entitled, "The Night the Tiger Roared." These were two of the greatest rounds in boxing history. I watch the video at leats 10 times a year for a boxing high. Sabbath, glad you enjoyed it.

I tried to contact Roy in Las Vegas last year, but was unable to. Are you sure he is in prison?

[Ted The Bull]

Thanks, Sabbath, for posting the video & picture. That video was new to me.
From what I gathered about Williams, he supposedly robbed someone, then beat them to death with a brick while the guy was laying on the ground. He is serving life in a Pennsylvania prison.

Are you certian? I would love to know?

Thanks,

Ted

[SABBATH]

Yes, that is from my article entitled, "The Night the Tiger Roared." These were two of the greatest rounds in boxing history. I watch the video at leats 10 times a year for a boxing high. Sabbath, glad you enjoyed it.

Hi Ted I enjoyed your article and your account of Shavers-Williams was very descriptive, to the point that now I almost believe I've seen it, although I still want to! Hopefully someone will post it on youtube soon.

Ted, I'm sure you're too modest to promote yourself, so for those boxingscene posters who would like to enjoy some good boxing reads check out Ted The Bull Sares website. Good Stuff!

[Terry A]

Are you certian? I would love to know?

Thanks,

Ted

Ted,
I am 100% certain. The only thing I don't remember is what year but I think it was in the 1979-1984 range when it happened. I remember reading that & being so surprised. Things like that are hard to forget.
BTW, I went to your website per Sabbath's post. Very nice site!

Along the same lines, look how many heavyweights from the 1970's - 1980's have had tragic endings...John Tate, Jeff Sims, James Broad, Roy Williams, Jumbo Cummings, Oscar Bonavena, Jerry Quarry, Jose Luis Garcia. How sad.