According to Dan Cuoco of the International Boxing Research Organization, Ellsworth "Spider" Webb, a 1950s and early 1960s middleweight contender, passed away at the age of 86 in Tulsa, Oklahoma on November 23, 2017. Among the noted fighters he beat were Bobby Boyd, Terry Downes, Dick Tiger, Joey Giardello, Rory Calhoun, Holly Mims, Charley Cotton, Randy Sandy, Charley Joseph and Willie Vaughn. He lost two bouts to Gene Fullmer, each of them by a decision. In the second bout, Fullmer's world middleweight title was at stake. In his last bout, Webb was stopped for the first time as a professional fighter by Dick Tiger while making an ill-advised comeback during 1961.
While in the amateur ranks, Webb was on the boxing teams at Compton Junior College (which is located in Compton, California) and Idaho State University. While attending Idaho State University, he was the N.C.A.A. middleweight champion during 1951 and 1952. He also was on the American boxing team at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics.
- Chuck Johnston
R.I.P. Spider Webb, 1950s Middleweight Contender
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Ambling Alp II
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Re: R.I.P. Spider Webb, 1950s Middleweight Contender
Not sure why, but he always interested me; maybe it was the nickname. Very good fight in a great era for middleweights. RIP.
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SenorPipino
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Re: R.I.P. Spider Webb, 1950s Middleweight Contender
Same here.Ambling Alp II wrote: ↑14 Jan 2018, 19:29 Not sure why, but he always interested me; maybe it was the nickname. Very good fight in a great era for middleweights. RIP.
Spider Webb.
What a terrific name.
The guy beat Tiger, Giardello, Mims and Downes, so he was more than just a fighter with a catchy moniker.
But something tells me that if he went by the name Ellsworth, he might not be remembered today.