Boxer Jimmy Ellis has joined the long list of boxing greats passed away in 2014. The Louisville, Kentucky native, who fought against names like Floyd Patterson, Joe Frazier, and the great Muhammad Ali, died from complications of Alzheimer's disease. He was 74.
Jimmy Ellis was one of the rare breeds of boxers of the 60's and 70's. Through out his 14-year career from 1961 until 1975, he has won the WBC, WBA, and NABF heavyweight titles. His contributions to the sport of boxing were revered by many, one of them being the legendary Muhammad Ali, who had boxer Jimmy Ellis' as sparring partner.
In a statement released by the Ali camp, the man who is considered as the Greatest Of All Time in the world of boxing shared his memories about the boxer that is Jimmy Ellis.
"In the world of heavyweights, I have always thought that Jimmy was one of the best," Ali said.
Jimmy Ellis' reign as a champion boxer began in 1968, through an eight-man tournament he won after Muhammad Ali was stripped of the said title for refusing to be drafted into the United States military. Unfortunately, he was only able to defend his title once against Floyd Patterson, as he subsequently dropped it to Joe Frazier two years after.
In 1971, boxer Jimmy Ellis fought Ali, after the latter's ring comeback. Although Ali stopped Ellis at the 12th round of the fight, the respect between both men never went away. And until this day, Ali has continued to show the same level of respect towards his beloved friend, both as a boxer and as a human being.
"I had a kinship with Jimmy and felt like he and I were of the same cloth," Ali recalled. "He was a great athlete and a caring man. Great competitors who happen to be great friends are rare. Jimmy Ellis was that to me and I will miss him."
