George Foreman Vs Jimmy Ellis 1972

[Robinson]

In 1972 George Foreman was a rising star, a man with questions to be answered. He had beaten all those in front of him, but he had yet to step up a notch and blow away a real threat.

With Ali defeated by Frazier, Foreman seemed to be the next challenger in a new generation of 1970s HW's.

Jimmy Ellis, still around and still capable was a good name for the Foreman camp who could be KO'd but at the same time had serious skills to frustrate and beat Foreman.

Dundee seeing something in the Peralta fight, throws Ellis into the ring against George confident that the boxer tames the wild fury of big George.

Saddler and Moore confident that the ever growing and always strong Foreman has the power and stamina to take Ellis, while at the same time feeling it would be a good test for a potential Ali show down.

Meanwhile Frazier makes defences of his title, offering a spot to the winner of Ellis-Foreman.

Who do you pick and how do you see it...

The principles...

George Foreman - 6'4, 218lb
Jimmy Ellis - 6'1, 196lb

Kym

[HomicideHenry]

Ellis, I believe would have got knocked on his ass inside of six or eight rounds. If Frazier was able to do it, I think Foreman's clubbing shots, would have eventually worn down Ellis and get him in a position to get dropped and eventually stopped.

[theone]

Foreman by destruction inside of 2.

[Goodnight, Irene]

I think you're trying to make this a more even match-up by taking Foreman out of his prime, is that right?

If that's the case, you'd have been better off saying 1970, rather than '72. By about the middle of '72, Foreman had peaked. In 1970, he was good but still made quite a few errors someone like Jimmy Ellis (who was Heavyweight champion at this time) could make something of.

In 1972, Foreman would have problems with Ellis, but none would be serious. Ellis was clever & snappy with the jab, but he was not especially elusive on his feet. Good, but not great. He also has to reach up to stick the jab & step inside Foreman's range to land anything, which is why I believe Foreman wouldn't be too pressed to land against him. & when he lands, Ellis --- who showed zero-resistence to Frazier's power in their first meeting --- would break.

KO4.

[joe kurtz]

Though not my favorite big man of that era, I have a great admiration for my namesake ( never mind the Joe Kurtz moniker that I use online, that's based on a literary charecter. My real name is actually Jimmy Ellis Allcorn & though the James Ellis first & middle combo goes back a couple of generations to my familial roots in the UK & has nothing to do with Jimmy Ellis the fighter, once I became a rabid boxing fan in my early teens I took pride in sharing the former champ's name. So much so that I eventually named my only son Nigel Benn Allcorn upon his birth in '98 ).

But, though I have mad respect for the under-rated former WBA champ who was slick, skilled & had decieving power, I just can't imagine ol' Jimmy having had enough to cope with Foreman. I think he may have gotten on his bicycle for two or three rounds before getting caught along the ropes & hammered into a rather brutal fourth or fifth round KO defeat.

[Robinson]

Nah I just wanted to make it a likely match up and picked 1972.

1970 would have favoured Ellis better no doubt.

[elmersalsa]

People forget that Big George used to have a nasty big jab. It was not a pretty jab like Ali or Holmes, but more damaging than both of their jabs. I do not see Ellis outboxing the bigger fellow either. He could not get Frazier off him the first time, how would he cope with wrecking ball twice as Frazier?

Foreman by TKO in less than 6 rounds.

[Robinson]

It seems that in his come back Foreman re discovered and worked from his jab alot more. Early in his career he had a punishing battering ram jab, that he moved well with. BUT when he was champion and there after he loaded up his shots more and used it less. Like he was impatient with himself inside the ring.

Kym