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Boxing coach and promoter to be recognized during June 10 ceremony
Published Jun 03, 2026 • Last updated 16 hours ago • 3 minute read
Bill Williams will be inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition as an honouree (builder-boxing) during a ceremony on June 10.Article content
A lifelong love of boxing has brought Bill Williams to a place he never envisioned.
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Williams, a former fighter turned coach and promoter, will be inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition as an honouree (builder – boxing) during a ceremony on June 10 at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Centre.
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“I’ve never done the sport of boxing for any reward or acknowledgement,” the 76-year-old said. “It’s always been a passion since I was like five-years-old.
“When I heard I was nominated and when I got (notified), I really appreciated it. It’s nice to get noticed.”
It would be hard not to notice the impact Williams has had on the sport, particularly in Brantford.
Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Williams moved to Quebec and Petawawa when he was young, while also spending time in Germany.
Williams’ dad, Tiger, not to be confused with the hockey legend, was in the army and he would train fighters for shows to entertain the troops.
“It was great boxing and to open the show, they always used to have me and some other young fellow from the base go three rounds,” said Williams. “That was my start.”
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A young Bill Williams showing off his fighting chops during a bout. Williams will be inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition as an honouree (boxing). Photo by Submitted /jpg, BR, apsmc
Eventually the family would move to Camp Borden and that’s when Williams’ own boxing career began to take flight. Moving to Brantford in 1968, he trained under legendary coach Frank Bricker at the Branch 90 Legion.
In the early 1970s, Williams would win a provincial championship and be named boxer of the year. He was a contemporary of another local boxing legend, Gary Summerhays.
“I was a very nervous boxer,” Williams admitted.
“One time me and Gary Summerhays fought in Detroit and Frank was driving. He said, ‘I’ve got two world champions right here in the car.’”
That day both he and Gary fought to draws and while Gary would go on to more greatness as a boxer, Williams’ lasting contribution to the sport would coming from a different direction.
Before becoming a coach, Bill Williams had a strong career as a fighter. Williams will be inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition as an honouree (boxing). Photo by Submitted /jpg, BR, apsmc
After his career in the ring was over, Williams started his coaching career by initiating a club at the boys and girls club. That lasted a few years and then he opened a gym at the Army, Navy and Air Force Club.
Following that, he ran the Oak Street Diner Boxing Club in West Brant before starting up the Blackeye Boxing Club in the early 2000s.
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Needless to say, he’s impacted a lot of youth.
“Over the years I trained probably thousands of kids,” Williams said. “I’ve trained kids that come back to me now and they’re married with kids of their own.”
Several years ago he returned to Prince Edward Island and was with his mother, Catherine, when she passed. Williams then came back to Brantford where he started the Bell City Boxing Club.
Of course he’s trained all levels of fighters from novices all the way up to the likes of John Mercante, Darren Fletcher and Brantford’s first professional female boxer, Jennifer Williams (no relation).
Bill Williams coached Brantford’s first professional women’s boxer, Jennifer Williams (no relation). Bill Williams will be inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition as an honouree (boxing). Photo by Submitted /jpg, BR, apsmc
At Bell City, he also runs a Parkinson’s program called Rock Steady where those inflicted with the disease come to the gym and work out.
“I love it,” he said of that program.
“They’re a great group of people. We do an hour workout every Monday, Thursday and Saturday morning. They hit the heavy bag, do balance drills and do weights.”
Through the years, Williams has met legends like Gerry Cooney, Larry Holmes, Aaron Pryor, Ray ‘Boom Boom’ Mancini and Canadian icon George Chuvalo. He’s also promoted several shows in the city.
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“That’s something I never envisioned I’d do,” said Williams, who has three daughters, Amber, Ashley and Carrie Ann.
“Those are special memories for me at the civic centre.”
Williams plans on running an outdoor show this summer and then one later in the year in Burford. After that, he’s decided to retire.
“It’s time to step away and let these younger coaches get things going,” he said. “I’ve done my thing. It’s time to step away.”
Boxing has left a huge impact on him and those he has coached.
“One of our rules was, what you learn in the gym, you leave in the gym,” Williams explained. “You don’t go to school and start a fight because if we find out, you’ll be suspended.
“I like to think I had a positive influence on the way (kids) looked at things in their life and stayed out of trouble.
“Boxing has been a love and a passion. It’s done a lot for me. I’ve met a lot of great people.”
Bill Williams is being inducted into the Brantford and Area Sports Hall of Recognition as an honouree (boxing). Photo by Submitted /jpg, BR, apsmc
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