Holman Williams

Williams began boxing as an amateur in 1928 as a bantamweight and had a successful 38-bout career. In 1932 he turned pro as a featherweight and would eventually be recognized as one of the most clever welterweights and middleweights of his era.

In his career Williams fought in the Lightweight, welterweight and middleweight divisions, he fought such notable fighters as Cocoa Kid, Charley Burley, Eddie Booker, Bob Satterfield, Archie Moore, Marcel Cerdan and Jake LaMotta.

In his 30th fight Holman Williams (27-2-1) beat Baby Tiger Flowers (36-17-19) by an 8th-round TKO for the Negro Lightweight title. Joe Louis presented Williams with the belt. The attendance was 7,500 people [1]

Fight number 35 on March 13, 1936 began the legacy of Black Murderers' Row. The first fight of the legendary unofficial tournament of the most feared and avoided black fighters of the era. 21 year old Holman Williams (32-2-1) lost a majority decision to fellow 21 year old Herbert Lewis "Cocoa Kid" Hardwick (75-20-5).

Fight number 36, Holman Williams (32-3-1) and Cocoa Kid (77-20-5) had a rematch a month later on April 17, 1936. Cocoa Kid again defeated Williams this time decisively.

Fight number 43, On March 12, 1937 one day short of a year since their first meeting now 22 year old Williams (36-5-2) got a 12-round decision against fellow 22 year old Cocoa Kid (88-21-5) at Welterweight. According to the New Orleans Picayune "Williams was in he best shape he has ever shown here..He was loping arounds as fast at the finish as at the start. He tried several different styles..but mostly he was working to get inside and then punch to the body."[2]

Fight number 46, June 11, 1937 Holman Williams (39-5-2) lost a close decision to Cocoa Kid (91-23-5) for the Colored welterweight title.

Fight number 65, Williams (55-7-3) fought Eddie Booker (37-0-3) to a 6-round draw on the undercard of Joe Louis vs John Henry Louis.

Fight number 75, on December 1, 1939, 148lbs Williams (67-7-4) defeated 155lbs Charley Burley (26-3). According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune Jack Kincaid, "Williams was down for three counts of nine in the fourth round. Williams, who had been on the losing end, took charge in the seventh round and won every found thereafter, except the 13th in which Burley had the edge" [2]

Fight number 77, Holman Williams faced now #2 ranked by "The Ring" Cocoa Kid for the 5th time January 11, 1940 for the Colored Welterweight Title. Williams was defeated in a 15-round unanimous decision.

Fight number 103, on December 12, 1941 Williams (89-9-5) fought Cocoa kid (138-37-7) to a draw. During next 13 months Williams fought Cocoa Kid a total of 5 times finishing this stint (1-3-1). During these same 13 months Williams fought Charley Burley 4 times going (1-3). He also beat Jose Basora in a 6-round contest and Kid Tunero twice by 12 round unanimous decision during this period.

Fight number 125, May 14, 1943 Holman Williams (104-15-6) fought Charley Burley (57-9-2) to a no contest; the referee declared the no contest 1 minute into the last (10th) round due to inactivity.

Fight number 128, September 3, 1943 Holman Williams (104-17-6) beat Lloyd Marshall (42-8-2) at middleweight by unanimous decision.

Fight number 131, November 19, 1943 Holman Williams (107-17-6) beat Eddie Booker (62-4-8) by a 67-65 unanimous decision.

Fight number 134 and 135 were back to back wins 2 weeks apart against Jack Chase at middleweight on February 7 and February 21, 1944.

Fight number 136, on March 6, 1944 Holman Williams (113-17-6) was defeated by Eddie Booker (65-5-8). Booker subsequently retired after this fight due to eye issues.

Fights 139 and 141 were again 2 wins against Jack Chase. In the first fight on April 27, 1944 was a 15-round unanimous decision, Chase was down 4 times and fought with a broken jaw suffered in round 6. The second fight was less than a month later on May 24, 1944, a 12-round unanimous decision win at middleweight.

Fight 142 and 143 were 29 year old Holman Williams against 30 year old Lloyd Marshall. The first fight June 7, 1944 was a point win for Marshall. On July 11, 1944 Holman Williams won the rematch in Cleveland, Ohio in front of 3,000 fans by majority decision in a match that Williams jab dominated the first 6 rounds and Marshall came on strong in the last 4.[3]

Fight number 146, Holman Williams (121-19-6) fought Cocoa kid (161-42-8) to a draw in New Orleans on September 15, 1944.

Fight number 148, Holman Williams (121-19-8) defeated Aaron Wade (59-9-6) in Oakland California on October 11, 1944.

Fight number 151, on March 26, 1945 Holman Williams (123-19-9) suffered a split decision loss to Cocoa Kid (163-45-9).

Fight number 154, the final bout between long time rivals Holman Williams (125-20-9) and Cocoa Kid (165-46-9) occurred on May 14, 1945. Holman Williams won by unanimous decision ending the series final between Williams and Cocoa Kid, Williams finished with a record of (3-8-2) against Cocoa Kid.

Fight number 157, July 11, 1945 Holman Williams (128-20-9) defeated Charley Burley (67-9-2) by unanimous decision. Burley was an 8-5 favorite entering the bout.[3]

Fight number 159 and 161 were against Bert Lytell. The first fight August 17, 1945 Williams (130-20-9) and Lytell (24-6-2) fought to a draw. Williams (131-20-10) defeated Lytell (24-6-3) 2 weeks later in the rematch on August 31, 1945.

Fight number 165 and 166 pitted Holman Williams against the great Archie Moore. In the first fight Williams (135-20-10) who weighed in at 163 lbs defeated the heavier Moore (74-10-5) who came in at 172.5 lbs by majority decision.

"Archie Moore, 172 1/2, lost two rounds of his fight with Holman Williams, 163, because of low blows - and it cost him the decision in the 10 round main event at the Coliseum. Moore was the aggressor throughout and sportswriters at ringside differed with the official decision and gave Moore the slight edge in the going. Heavier and stronger than his opponent, Moore had the fight all his own way at first and piled up points as he kept boring in on Williams. Williams got going in the 5th and offset Moore's rushes by sharper and faster punching. In the 6th Moore dealt Williams hard blows to the body and head. The 7th and 8th rounds went to Williams after referee Eddie Leonard called low punches on Moore." -Associated Press

The immediate rematch between Williams (136-20-10) and Archie Moore (75-11-5) saw Moore batter Williams into an 11th-round TKO. This was only the second time Williams had been stopped in his career.

Fight number 158, 161.75 lbs Holman Williams (137-21-10) defeated 169.75 lbs Aaron "little tiger" Wade (63-12-6) by 4th-round KO.

Fight number 161, Holman Williams (140-21-10) was defeated by Bert Lytell (29-9-4) by unanimous decision.

Fight number 163, On July 7, 1946 Holman Williams (141-22-10) was defeated by close decision against Marcel Cerdan (94-2) in France.

Fight number 164, August 7, 1945 Holman Williams (141-23-10) lost a unanimous decision to Jake LaMotta (58-10-3).

Fight number 173, July 4, 1947 Holman Williams (145-27-11) lost a unanimous decision to Bert Lytell (45-11-4).

When the World Colored Middleweight Championship was revived in the early 1940s, Charley Burley, who had been the colored welterweight champ, fought Williams for the title on 14 August 14, 1942 Burley won on a 9th-round TKO, the first time Williams was stopped in his career. Williams won the title on a decision in their rematch on 16 October 1942, then lost the title on 15 January 1943 to the Cocoa Kid in a 12-round decision.

Williams retired with a 145-30-11, 1NC (35 KOs) record.

On July 15, 1967 Williams was killed in a fire while asleep in the club where he worked.[4]

Williams was elected into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1996 and elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2008.

• Murderers' Row (Boxing)

• Boxing record for Holman Williams from BoxRec
• CBZ Bio
• IBHOF Bio