Mike Williams (boxer)


Michael Anthony Williams is an American actor and former professional boxer who competed from 1984 to 2000. In the 1990 film Rocky V, he played the role of boxer Union Cane.

Boxing career

Known as "Mercury", Williams turned professional in 1984 and was considered a rising prospect after winning his first 13 fights, including a win over James Tillis. In 1987, he stepped up and lost a split decision to the former champion Tim Witherspoon. The following year, he lost by TKO to Buster Douglas. In the 1990s, he lost to other notable heavyweights Alex Garcia and Corrie Sanders and retired in 2000 after a TKO loss to Lawrence Clay Bey, having won 22 and lost 6 with 14 KO.

Acting career

Williams portrayed the fictional heavyweight champion of the world Union Cane in Rocky V. In the movie, he was soundly defeated in one round by Tommy Gunn. Williams also played background characters in various other films, such as A Soldier's Story, Full Metal Jacket, Another 48 Hrs., Ali, Losing Isaiah, Soldier Boyz, The Boys Club, The Replacements, A Sense of Entitlement and The Brave One. He also appeared in some TV shows, such as and The F.B.I. Files.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
1Win1–0 Walter Morris3Sep 13, 1984 The Summit, Houston, Texas, U.S.
2Win2–0 Guy Ramsey4Mar 8, 1985 Westchester County Center, White Plains, New York, U.S.
3Win3–0 Lorenzo BoydKO3 Mar 18, 1985 Hyatt Regency, Houston, Texas, U.S.
4Win4–0 Ronald TurnerUD4Aug 23, 1985 Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0 Carl DorseyTKO3Feb 12, 1986 Houston, Texas, U.S.
6Win6–0 John BarbierKO2May 2, 1986 Conroe, Texas, U.S.
7Win7–0 Terry Armstrong6Jul 5, 1986 Conroe, Texas, U.S.
8Win8–0 Tommy Taylor5, 1:28Oct 17, 1986 Sahara Hotel and Casino, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
9Win9–0 Robert ObeyKO4Dec 14, 1986 Houston, Texas, U.S.
10Win10–0 James TillisTKO8, 2:48Jan 8, 1987 Marriott Brookhollow, Houston, Texas, U.S.
11Win11–0 Billy Joe ThomasTKO7, 1:26Feb 12, 1987 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, U.S.
12Win12–0 Ken ElliottTKO3, 1:06Apr 9, 1987 Houston, Texas, U.S.
13Win13–0 Rufus HadleyPTS10May 22, 1987 Houston, Texas, U.S.
14Loss13–1 Tim Witherspoon10Oct 14, 1987 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win14–1 Leon DixonTKO2, 2:53Jan 6, 1988 Houston, Texas, U.S.
16Win15–1 Art TerryUD10Feb 3, 1988 Houston, Texas, U.S.
17Win16–1 Dorcey GaymonTKO2, 1:10Mar 4, 1988 Bingo Wonderland, Houston, Texas, U.S.
18Loss16–2 Buster DouglasTKO7Jun 27, 1988 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19Win17–2 Russell RiersonKO2Nov 19, 1991 Houston, Texas, U.S.
20Win18–2 Juan Ramon PerezUD4Feb 25, 1992 Houston, Texas, U.S.
21Win19–2 Elvin EvansUD6Nov 3, 1992 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
22Win20–2 Jimmy BillsUD8Dec 16, 1992 Riviera, Winchester, Nevada, U.S.
23Loss20–3 Alex GarcíaTKO5, 2:14Feb 16, 1993 McNichols Sports Arena, Denver, Colorado, U.S.For NABF heavyweight title
24Win21–3 Rick HoardKO2Aug 5, 1993 Council Bluffs, Iowa, U.S.
25Loss21–4 Corrie SandersKO1, 2:58Mar 19, 1994 Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa
26Win22–4 Gary ButlerTKO4 Dec 9, 1995 Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas, U.S.
27Loss22–5 Albert StewartSD8Sep 7, 1999 Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
28Loss22–6 Lawrence Clay-BeyTKO6, 0:35Sep 17, 2000 Cobo Arena, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.