Jimmy Ellis R.I.P.

[soul_survivor]

Just heard about this and I'm not sure if anyone has already posted but the one time WBA heavyweight champion of the world has just passed away, aged 74. The heavyweight icons of the golden era seem to be dropping like flies .

R.I.P Champ!

[soul_survivor]

seriously, no one?

[ßringer]

Damn.

He's obviously most famous for the fights with Ali and Frazier, but I also remember his fights with Lyle, Patterson, Shavers, Quarry, Chuvalo, and Bonavena.

Seems like all of those guys fought each other and traded wins and loses. If only it were still like that today.

My condolences to Jimmy's loved ones.

Don't expect much of a response in here, though. Seems like nobody really remembers the "golden age of heavyweights" outside of Ali, Frazier, and Foreman. Hell, I posted the news that Ken Norton died and got like 6 replies.

[fight_professor]

damn. sad news. ali v ellis was the 1 time angelo took the other corner.

[soul_survivor]

**** man! And you're right, what people tend to forget is that from the retirement of Marciano in 1955 to the retirement of Ali in 1978, the heavyweight division was rejuvenated by youth, speed, great skills rarely seen in the division and a willingness for the best to fight, lose and win against one another. There is life beyond the trinity of Ali/Frazier/Foreman, there was Patterson, Liston, Terrel, Williams, Young, Ellis, Norton, Shavers, Johannson, Chuvalo, Bonavena....I could go on and on.

This was a Golden Age that lasted 23 years, taking in two of the youngest champions of all times, 3 of the hardest hitting men to ever strap on a pair of red gloves and some of the greatest contests this sport has ever seen. To even catch a glimpse of the title, as Ellis did, is a terrific achievement in itself.

[bojangles1987]

seriously, no one?

There's a BPP thread for it, no one was responding there either.

R.I.P. to a guy who was pretty good in a great era. One of many who would have been remembered so much more if they came along a decade earlier or later.

[fight_professor]

**** man! And you're right, what people tend to forget is that from the retirement of Marciano in 1955 to the retirement of Ali in 1978, the heavyweight division was rejuvenated by youth, speed, great skills rarely seen in the division and a willingness for the best to fight, lose and win against one another. There is life beyond the trinity of Ali/Frazier/Foreman, there was Patterson, Liston, Terrel, Williams, Young, Ellis, Norton, Shavers, Johannson, Chuvalo, Bonavena....I could go on and on.

This was a Golden Age that lasted 23 years, taking in two of the youngest champions of all times, 3 of the hardest hitting men to ever strap on a pair of red gloves and some of the greatest contests this sport has ever seen. To even catch a glimpse of the title, as Ellis did, is a terrific achievement in itself.

No doubt. That was a golden age. The 2nd tier then would be champions today or over the last few years.