Category:Heavyweight boxers

Heavyweight boxers today weigh a minimum of 201 pounds (91 kg). In earlier times the minimum was 178 pounds, and many early champions weighed under 200 pounds.

Poland, William (10/14/17-2/4-2005)

 William Poland was born in New York City and started his professional career in 1938 by knocking out Jack Babian in the first round.  This start was quickly followed by first round knockouts in 6 of his first 7 bouts, including a record fastest knockout in Madison Square Garden over Charley Fisher.  He won all 16 of his matches in 1938 until he fought Mickey Dugan to an 8 round draw.  His first loss came against Tommy Tucker in January of 1939. By 1941 Poland was a leading heavyweight contender with wins over Harry Bobo, Al Delany and Joe O'Gatty.  A match was scheduled with Joe Louis, but never took place because of the WWII.
 In 1942, prior to his entering the Navy, Poland fought Lee Savold in an exhibition of Bombers for McArthur.  This match was to provide funds for the war effort.  Poland was injured in training for the fight but the match could not be postponed, nor could Poland not show up.  He was severely out of shape, however, he was ahead on all the cards for the first 8 rounds of the 10 round main event.  In round 9, he ran out of gas and was Kayoed by Savold.  He fought briefly after being released from the Navy in 1945, but never regained his early career form and he retired in 1946.  Poland was inducted in the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame in 1989.
  He briefly appeared in Champ for a Day, a movie about the fight business with Alex Nichols and Audrey Totter. (Statistics from Nat Fleischers All Time RING record book.)