Talented boxer Jimmy Ellis. A bit light for the heavyweight division but gave it his all against the bigger men. How do you rate Ellis?
I don't know how I would actually asign him an actual rating.. I'd say he's probably on par with someone like Tim Witherspoon. Ellis indeed had a spectacular run in the late 60's, beating Floyd Patterson, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, Leotis Martin and George Chuvalo.. In the abscence of Muhammad Ali, Ellis in my mind earned the right to be the division's interim titlist. He had sound boxing skills, decent conditioning, and a big fighting heart.. He lacked a bit in both the chin and punching department, but certainly did the best he could for a former middle weight fighting in one of the most competitive eras in the sport...
That's about it. I'd probably rate him above 'Spoon, though, since he was more consistent and never let himself down. He did what he could against Ali and Frazier but was just outmatched and/or outgunned. No shame in that.
I agree, Incidentally now that we're talking about it, I wonder how he might have done at say light heavyweight? Not sure how well he might have faired against Bob Foster, but it might have been interesting.
I love ellis. he was very stylish and had balls. I loved the way he leaned back, took a step to the side and made a gap for opponents to step into for that slashing counter right hand. A thinking mans box-puncher. so good to watch. jimmy did a lot of things beter than ATG's, you dont have to be an ATG to be great to watch. ellis was certainly that for me.
Jimmy Ellis was Matched Tough from the start as a skinny young middleweight - actually a littkle over Lt Middle at 155lb - very early in his apprenticeship he was thrown in with Henry Hank, he took all Hank could throw at him, but stood tough losing the decision but getting praise for his efforts, if that wasnt enough he was then thrown in wityh No1 middleweight dreadnaught, the Fearsome Rubin Carter, who had recently destroyed Florentino Fernandez and Emile Griffith in one round ko's - some wondered if Jimmy's Management were trying to get him murdered ! - Jimmy exhibited superb boxing ability, and on a few occassions pushed Rubin back and fired that dangerous embryonic right hand, Rubin had to use his Jab to Control Jimmy at range, Rubin won the fight but it was a close good effort by "this Skinny Kid Jimmy Ellis" Jimmy may of lost these battles, but i cant help think that they help him win some wars down the road. Jimmy of course became a very dangerous Lt Heavy scoring some decent one round Ko's himself like the Johnny Persol kO, before of course becoming the talented classy Heavyweight he became. A class act all the way .
I was impressed by how Ellis beat Bonavena. Those 2 knockdowns he hung on Oscar were first class..though he struggled a bit with Ringo in the mid rounds, he won handily and looked good for the most part in doing so.
Hes a P4P fighter, natural MW moving to HW for the big prize and doing what Bob Foster couldnt do Thoughts on Foster-Ellis?