How would Jimmy Ellis have done as a Light Heavyweight?

[markusmod]

It seems to me that it would have to be easier for Jimmy Ellis to fight at 175 than to fight guys like Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali, Floyd Patterson, Ernie Shavers, Ron Lyle, Jerry Quarry, Oscar Bonavena, George Chuvalo, and Leotis Martin. Other than Patterson and maybe one or two other boxers, Ellis always was fighting bigger fighters as a heavyweight. It would have been nice if he fought guys the same size as himself and nobody like Frazier, Ali, Lyle, etc.

You're probably right, but that's where the money was I figure.

[Saban]

Same with Patterson. Floyd might have been one of the greatest light heavyweights in history, but the big money was in the heavyweight division. I am pretty sure that Patterson made a lot more money at heavyweight than he could have made at light heavy. Not so sure about Ellis.

[Dynamite76]

I think Jimmy would have done well, but don't see him taking Foster.

[billeau2]

Jimmy Ellis was one of the most underrated boxers. He fought in a very tough era for heavyweights, but still managed to win the WBA Heavyweight Title. I think that Ellis would have been a great Light Heavyweight. What do people here think?

Its important to always remember that "heavyweight" is technically an open division. Through most of boxing history every guy wanted a crack at heavyweight... and while different rule sets, equipment changes, an emphasis on punching, etc made weight divisions more pronounced... Most guys who could wanted a crack at the heavyweight apple if given a choice.

Ellis did a great job fighting heavyweight... he just had some tough hombres in one of the most talented divisions at the time. If we take Ellis at Cruiser... he fights Moorer, Spinks... the weight change makes no real differences... All of those guys could take it to the premier division... Ellis included.

[billeau2]

I think Jimmy would have done well, but don't see him taking Foster.

That would be a great fight!

[Dynamite76]

That would be a great fight!

I think so too......until the obvious ending!

[billeau2]

I think so too......until the obvious ending!

Lol. Foster was a hell of a puncher, but Ellis was adroit...Frazier beat both men the same way whatever that tells us.

[QueensburyRules]

- -IE: Sheriff Bob, a great LH but pretty much a fail against anyone over 180 lbs.

Jimmy did well at heavy because that was his natural inclination where he had Angelo as trainer and Ali as a spar and friend.

Maybe he coulda started at welter instead of middle, but why would anyone ask such a question when statistically by his record and career he's in the elite 99.8% of all boxers who ever fought?