JimCorbett v Jimmy Ellis

I would say that Ellis would DEFINITELY be in with a shout. Jim was pretty scientific for his time but boxing had evolved a lot between his and Ellis' time.


Ellis by decision if going on modern day distance.

 

I think Corbett manages the decision here. Very clearly superior stamina at their respective bests, a master at feinting rarely seen at HW in the late 1960s, and he's not getting suckered into damaging knockdowns the way a charging Bonavena was in Jimmy's best win. Ellis would be the aggressor here, putting matters in Corbett's comfort zone.

 

With Ellis it was. He was noticeably tiring at the conclusion of Bonavena, most thought an aged and overcautious Patterson beat him over the championship distance, and he won the vacant WBA Title over a broken back hampered and stamina questioned Jerry Quarry. Ellis was dogged by questions about his endurance throughout his career, and that's a bad flaw with somebody of his style to be hindered by.

 

I suspect most have seen / can recall much more about Jimmy Ellis than they can about Gentleman Jim, suffice it to say they were both Gentleman and highly skilled, If ever a fighter was matched tough from the virtual off it was Jimmy Ellis, prior to his Dundee tie-up as a skinny novice middlewight he was thrown in with such as Wilf Greaves Holly Mims Henry Hank and Rubin Carter, Giving the fearsome Carter no easy ride over the full distance, Its no wonder Jimmy's Ambush right hand did not account for too many at this early stage,

it did as a passing through lt Heavy, Johnny Persol being a noteable quick victim, At heavy, again the array of top calibre of opponents Jimmy was up against meant the KO's were not too frequent, however i think it is a dangerous punch nonetheless to a lighter opponent like corbett, compounded by the fact that this was often a prelude to an effective combination, the first round Jimmy laid on Leotis Martin was a case in point, great combinations, which ultimately led to Martins cuts defeat, A good fight against a good opponent, Jimmy did have a number of good nights against top contenders with no disgrace in losing to Ali and Frazier

For me Jim Corbett was probably in the right place at the right time against Sullivan, that edition of Sullivan, becoming synonymous with hushering in the new gloved era, i dont think Jim showed himself to be a phenomenon pre-Sullivan or indeed afterwards, ( perhaps i have a lot to learn here ?) I would certainly have my money on Mr Ellis and his Combinations to beat the lighter upright styled Mr Corbett... who may of looked a million Dollars when dealing with Cowtown roughs but ultimately seemed to struggle when confronted with genuine class. I think Jimmy on his day was Genuine Class...

 

Gentleman Mcvey - Many thanks indeed, Boxing was certainly all the better for both these guys, these showed class in Victory...and Honour in defeat.