Witherspoon Outpoints Williams

Former champion Tim Witherspoon outpointed Carl Williams to win a split decision in a 12-round heavyweight bout Friday night between two aging contenders.

Judges Eva Shain and Joe Pasquale both scored it 115-113 for Witherspoon. Judge Jean Williams scored it 116-112 for Williams.

Witherspoon, 34-3 with 22 knockouts, backed up Williams twice in the second round with stiff overhand rights.

Witherspoon also knocked Williams back several times in the fourth with left hooks to the head.

Williams, 23-4 with 18 knockouts, did little in the first half of the fight except for a right uppercut in the fifth that may have led to Witherspoon’s left eye swelling. The eye closed gradually throughout the fight but seemed to have little effect on Witherspoon.

Williams, 31, of Brigantine, N.J., weighed 236 1/4 pounds. Witherspoon, 33, from Philadelphia, weighed 236.