Jimmy Ellis fought like a real boss this time out...with speed, skill assurance and power. I was impressed...and I believe that no one beat Oscar with more panache...not even Ali. It was clearly, IMO, Jimmy's best performance....aside from the blitz of Johnny Persol maybe. This content is protected
How do you feel Jimmy does in a more modern setting, rc? Could he duplicate the recent accomplishments of another buffed up small heavyweight, someone like Chris Byrd?
After growing to a heavy, with the Persol fight, thus began Jimmy's success as a viable contender. He had tools to say the least, sort of an 'Ali-light'. Quick starter, potent right hand, with boxing skills and a decent set of 'whiskers' see: his fight with Frazier which I personally see as just as exciting as the Joe-Jerry 69 s c r a p. A 67-to late 68 'super-fecta' four wins against Martin-Bonavena-Quarry-Patterson certainly bears this out. Of course Red we know that our 'passive' Floyd turned him into a broken nose, both eyes closing, bloody pulpy mess at the end. I'll never forget the picture of Jimmy getting his hand raised as the 'winner' looking like a bloody gargoyle with our hero in the background unmarked. But, IMO, Jimmy was a solid heavy with skills that would have had him a contender in ANY era. My $0.02
