Carl Williams (boxer)

Carl Williams (November 11, 1959 – April 7, 2013), nicknamed "the Truth", was an American boxer who competed as a professional from 1982 to 1997. He challenged twice for heavyweight world titles; the IBF title against Larry Holmes in 1985; and the undisputed title against Mike Tyson in 1989. At regional level he held the USBA heavyweight title from 1987 to 1991.

"I've been fighting all my life. It was just a matter of deciding I wanted to pursue it in the ring instead of on the street,"

Williams spent his childhood in South Jamaica, Queens. He was raised by his grandmother. After his grandmother died, Williams began to box at the age of nineteen, training with the Daniel M. O'Connell Park Gym in Saint Albans, New York (also known as the New York City Recreations O'Connell Center), walking six miles (9.65 km) to his gym and back each day,^{[clarification needed]} and showing a natural talent and determination. "He's a natural, no question about that," said his trainer, Vic Hanson.

With a couple of amateur fights under his belt Williams won two New York Golden Gloves Championships. Williams won both the 1980 New York Golden Gloves Sub-Novice Heavyweight Championship and the 1981 Heavyweight Open Championship.

At that time he wanted to fight the '81 open champ, Mitch Green from Bronx, who has since turned pro.

His other notable achievements include:
 Gold at the North American Championships (201 lbs), Shreveport, Louisiana, September 1981:

 Gold at the Boxing World Cup (201 lbs), Montreal, Canada, November 1981:

Williams finished his amateur career with 22 fights, completing a record of 21–1.