An accomplished high school football star, he attended Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota on a scholarship.
Williamson later transferred on a scholarship to play for NCAA Division II Wayne State College in Nebraska, graduating in 1993.
[1] Standing 6 ft 3 in tall, Williamson gained popularity for his punching power, mainly for his clubbing right-hand haymaker, which became known as "Touch of Sleep".
[5] He won his first eighteen fights out of 19, with 16 of them by knockout (KO) inside the first five rounds[6] before facing another undefeated hard-hitting heavyweight Joe Mesi.
[7] Afterwards, Williamson defeated Kendrick Releford by fifth-round TKO and Cuban contender Eliecer Castillo by majority decision before facing Wladimir Klitschko.
The bout took place in Reno, Nevada, and was the main event of Don King's card that included James Toney fighting Dominick Guinn.
Following the loss, Williamson won two fights, beating journeyman Maurice Wheeler and undefeated prospect Mike Mollo within four rounds each,[5] before facing former world title challenger Kali Meehan on October 6, 2007 at Madison Square Garden.