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May 09, 2020
1940-2014
LOUISVILLE, Kentucky (AP) — Jimmy Ellis, a heavyweight champion who sparred with an up-and-coming Muhammad Ali and later fought some of the era's best boxers, died Tuesday. He was 74.
Ellis died at a Louisville hospital, brother Jerry Ellis said. Jimmy Ellis had Alzheimer's disease in recent years.
Ellis, the son of a preacher who loved singing gospel music, held the WBA heavyweight title from 1968 to 1970. He lost to Joe Frazier in a fight to unify the world heavyweight championship in 1970. In 1971, Ellis was stopped by Ali in the 12th round. He retired in 1975.
Ali remembered his longtime friend as a "master in the ring."
"In the world of heavyweights, I have always thought that Jimmy was one of the best," Ali said in a statement in which he and his wife, Lonnie, expressed condolences.
Ali said his friendship with Ellis began as both rose through the ranks as amateurs in their hometown of Louisville.
"As a former champion, Jimmy was known for exceptional hand speed and a strong chin," Ali said.
Both fighters fought under the tutelage of Angelo Dundee. The great trainer often said that Ellis packed more punch than he was given credit for, Ali recalled. But Ali said Ellis' greatest qualities were his "gentle manner and the compassion in his heart."
"I had a kinship with Jimmy and felt like he and I were of the same cloth," Ali said. "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."
Ellis defeated Jerry Quarry to win the WBA crown in 1968. It was at a time when Ali had been stripped of his heavyweight title for refusing induction into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. Ellis defended the title by defeating Floyd Patterson before losing to Frazier.
After leaving boxing, Ellis spent years training fighters and later worked for the Louisville parks department.
Ellis was preceded in death by his wife, Mary. They had six children together.
Copyright © 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's..My heartfelt condolences to the family's...
May 09, 2020
My condolences to the family. May the God of Comfort, continue to comfort the family.
May 06, 2020
God is a God of all Comfort and he will Comfort the family's..My heartfelt condolences to the family's...
May 06, 2020
Valenda Newell
July 05, 2016 | Indianapolis, IN
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
May 06, 2016 | Buckeye, AZ
Jimmy Ellis had the quickest straight right hand of all the heavyweight champs. His gifts consisted of great boxing skills along with tremendous heart and dogged determinaton. Had Jimmy been a bigger man, his reign as champ would have been quite long. Rest in peace Champ .
Mike Madden
May 25, 2014 | Chicago, IL
Jimmy had the quickest straight right hand of all the ex champs. HE WAS GIFTED WITH GREAT BOXING SKILLS AND LOADS OF HEART AND DOGGED DETERMINATION. IF JIMMY WERE A LITTLE LARGE HE WOULD OF BEEN VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTEND WITH.
MIKE MADDEN
May 25, 2014 | CHICAGO, IL
Jimmy had the quickest and straighest right hand of any heavyweight champion. He was also gifted with a huge heart and dogged determination. Mr. Ellis fought them all and beat most of them. He will be missed.
Mike Madden
May 25, 2014 | Chicago, IL
Sorry for your lost deep condolences from my family to yours!!!!
Charles Bottoms
May 24, 2014 | Pittsburgh, PA