Jimmy Ellis

Jimmy Ellis ( born February 24, 1940 in Louisville ) is a former American heavyweight boxer.

He began his career in 1961 at middleweight. However, in this weight class he had little success and had to quickly insert five losses, among other things, he lost in 1964 against Rubin Carter.

He then decided to move to the heavyweight division. 1967, denied his world title Muhammad Ali. Then held the WBA an elimination tournament to determine the champion of the association. Ellis was invited additional participants were Leotis Martin, Oscar Bonavena, Karl Mildenberger, Jerry Quarry, Floyd Patterson, Thad Spencer and Ernie Terrell.

Ellis met Martin and won the battle on 5 August 1967 surprisingly early. His next opponent was now on December 2, 1967 Óscar Bonavera. Ellis scored a points victory after twelve rounds, thus qualifying for the fight for the vacant WBA title on April 27, 1968 against Jerry Quarry. Even against Quarry, he was able to prevail by a points victory. The new WBA champion Jimmy Ellis said.

His first title defense took place in Sweden against Floyd Patterson, he won again, but controversial, on points. Next, now should the heavyweight title will be reunited. The WBC titlist was now Joe Frazier.

In this fight on February 16, 1970, however, Ellis had no chance. In the fourth round he had to ask twice to the ground and finally gave in to the round break up and thus lost his title.

In May 1971, he defeated George Chuvalo, then defeated two months later, however, against Muhammad Ali. In 1973, he lost against Earnie Shavers by a first-round KO. As a result, he had more defeats against Ron Lyle, Joe Bugner and again Frazier plug it in, so that Ellis finally in 1975 ended his career.