Johnny Williams

Johnny Williams (25 December 1926 – 28 January 2007) was a British former professional boxer in the 1940s and 1950s and was at one time both the British and Empire heavyweight champion.

Life and career Born in Barmouth, Wales, Williams grew up in Rugby, England, his family having moved there when he was a toddler. He started to box from the age of 10. He turned professional in 1946 and was known for his scientific approach in the ring, with one of his greatest fights being a bout with Jack Gardner on 17 July 1950 in Leicester. It was a Commonwealth title eliminator fight and he lost on points, and according to the BBC it was rated as one of the most grueling bouts ever staged in Britain and left both boxers requiring a night in hospital.

Two years later on 11 March 1952, Williams had his finest hour, when in a rematch with Gardner, he won the 15 round fight, claiming both the British and Empire Heavyweight titles. However the following year he lost these titles to Don Cockell.

Williams made an attempt at winning back the titles in 1955, but was defeated in a fifth-round knockout by Gardner.

Williams retired in 1956 with 60 wins, 38 by knockout, 11 losses and 4 draws, and began a career as a farmer at Newton near Rugby.

He died on 28 January 2007 survived by his wife and daughter.

Professional boxing record

Loss

TKO 6 1956-11-16

Loss

PTS 15 1956-08-27

Loss

TKO 4 1956-04-13

Draw

PTS 10 1956-02-04

Win

TKO 1 1955-07-26

Loss

KO 5 1955-06-06

Win

TKO 3 1955-04-18

Win

KO 2 1955-03-05

Win

TKO 4 1954-12-10

Win

TKO 7 1954-09-14

Win

PTS 10 1954-04-04

Win

KO 2 1954-01-22

Win

PTS 10 1953-11-10

Win

KO 2 1953-10-05

Loss

PTS 15 1953-05-12

Win

PTS 10 1953-04-13

Loss

KO 9 1953-02-15

Win

KO 5 1952-12-10

Win

TKO 7 1952-10-13

Win

TKO 7 1952-07-22

Win

PTS 15 1952-03-11

Win

PTS 10 1951-12-04

Draw

PTS 10 1951-10-14

Win

TKO 6 1951-06-05

Win

PTS 8 1951-03-27

Win

KO 2 1951-03-19

Loss

TKO 6 1950-12-12

Win

TKO 7 1950-11-14

Loss

PTS 12 1950-07-17

Loss

TKO 6 1950-06-06

Win

PTS 10 1950-02-28

Win

PTS 10 1950-02-20

Win

KO 4 1950-01-24

Win

PTS 8 1949-09-06

Win

PTS 10 1949-08-17

Win

TKO 3 1949-06-20

Win

PTS 8 1949-06-02

Win

TKO 8 1949-04-19

Win

TKO 4 1949-01-29

Win

KO 4 1948-12-16

Win

PTS 8 1948-11-06

Win

PTS 6 1948-09-21

Win

TKO 6 1948-09-02

Win

TKO 2 1948-07-27

Win

KO 3 1948-06-22

Loss

PTS 8 1948-05-18

Win

PTS 6 1948-04-20

Win

RTD 3 1948-03-11

Win

TKO 3 1948-02-17

Win

TKO 1 1948-02-12

Win

KO 1 1948-01-26

Win

PTS 8 1948-01-15

Loss

PTS 8 1947-12-02

Win

PTS 8 1947-11-24

Win

TKO 3 1947-11-10

Win

KO 5 1947-11-03

Win

KO 2 1947-09-16

Win

TKO 5 1947-08-12

Win

TKO 2 1947-07-07

Draw

PTS 8 1947-06-16

Win

TKO 7 1947-04-03

Win

TKO 5 1947-03-24

Win

PTS 8 1947-03-19

Win

TKO 6 1947-02-24

Win

KO 3 1947-02-10

Win

TKO 4 1946-12-09

Win

PTS 8 1946-11-04

Draw

PTS 8 1946-10-21

Win

PTS 6 1946-09-24

Win

KO 4 1946-06-04

Win

PTS 8 1946-04-15

Win

TKO 5 1946-04-01

Win

KO 1 1946-02-26

Win

PTS 6 1946-02-15

Win

PTS 6 1946-02-12