Nov. 14, 1966: Muhammad Ali vs Cleveland Williams

Cat and mouse play at the Astrodome

Muhammad Ali, the 1964 World Heavyweight Champion, retained his title against Cleveland “Big Cat” Williams after a ferocious fight last night at the Astrodomein Houston, Texas.

Controversial Ali, 24, who has a record of 27 wins and no losses, knocked down 33-year-old Williams, a 65-time winner. The referee had to stop the fight to relieve Williams from Ali's hold.

This was a much expected match between Ali, who has been dividing the American opinion over his recent conversion to Islam, and Williams, recovering from gunshots wounds for the past year.

Ali knocked down the Big Cat four times in total. Considering his state, Williams took it all in quite decently.

The first round started with Ali making his little dance, moving clockwise, making Williams throw his fists in the air.

Williams kept on stalking him, and after another 30 minutes, Ali started to react. He was twice pushed into a corner of the ring, but extracted himself quickly.

Ali hit Williams several times in a row but the latter stood his ground. The bell rang after three minutes, ending the round.

When the second round began, Ali instantly launched the offensive. Williams seemed more ready to throw punches than he was at the first round.

Ali got more offensive and at 4'40” launched a series of strikes, angering Williams.

At 5'24”, Ali knocks the Big Cat on the floor from a right. The referee intervened, Williams did not appear hurt and got up again quickly. The fight soon resumed.

Ali attacked right at the start, leaving no time for Williams to reply, and sending him sitting on the ground. He got up immediately again.

At 12 seconds from the end of the round, Williams sent a left, to which Ali replied automatically with a left, a right, two lefts and a final right knocking Williams down for the third time.

The third round began and, determined, Williams launches the offensive with several lefts: he has nothing to lose. Ali fought back, Williams tried but failed to protect himself, and was knocked down again at 6'50”.

Kessler intervened and Williams got up, a bit shaken. The match resumed, and he got almost knocked again.

Williams, badly hurt, is now backing. Kessler stopped the fight, Williams receiving too much punishment. Ali is the winner, holding on to his world Heavyweight Champion title.

This article was written as an assignment for the London School of Journalism.