Jimmy Ellis losses
Over 14 years as a professional, Jimmy Ellis compiled a 40-12-1 (24) record, including four title fights. He had twelve losses against eleven different opponents, two of them in title fights.
12. Jimmy Ellis loses to Joe Frazier in their 2nd fight via KO
On March 2, 1975 Jimmy Ellis faced Joe Frazier in a heavyweight bout. It was their second meeting. Ellis was 35 years old with a record of 39-11-1, and Frazier was 31 with a record of 31-2. Ellis was on a 2-fight losing streak, while Frazier was coming off a win. Frazier stopped Ellis via TKO in the 9th round. Lasted into the 9th round.
11. Jimmy Ellis loses to Joe Bugner via points decision
On November 12, 1974 Jimmy Ellis faced Joe Bugner in a heavyweight bout. Ellis was 34 years old with a record of 39-10-1, and Bugner was 24 with a record of 48-6-1. Ellis was coming off a loss, while Bugner was on a 5-fight winning streak. Ellis lost via points decision. Went the distance with Bugner.
10. Jimmy Ellis loses to Ron Lyle via unanimous decision
On July 16, 1974 Jimmy Ellis faced Ron Lyle. Ellis was 34 years old with a record of 39-9-1, and Lyle was 33 with a record of 27-1-1. Lyle was coming off a win. Ellis lost via unanimous decision. Went the distance with Lyle.
9. Jimmy Ellis loses to Boone Kirkman via split decision
On December 12, 1973 Jimmy Ellis faced Boone Kirkman. Ellis was 33 years old with a record of 39-8, and Kirkman was 0 with a record of 0-0. Ellis was coming off a win. Ellis lost via split decision. Went the distance with Kirkman.
8. Jimmy Ellis loses to Earnie Shavers via KO
On June 18, 1973 Jimmy Ellis faced Earnie Shavers in a heavyweight bout. Ellis was 33 years old with a record of 38-7, and Shavers was 28 with a record of 44-2. Ellis was on a 8-fight winning streak and Shavers was on a 32-fight winning streak. Shavers stopped Ellis via KO in the 1st round.
7. Jimmy Ellis loses to Muhammad Ali via KO
On July 26, 1971 Jimmy Ellis fought Muhammad Ali for the vacant NABF heavyweight title. Ellis was 31 years old with a record of 30-6, and Ali was 29 with a record of 31-1. Ellis was on a 3-fight winning streak, while Ali was coming off a loss. Ali stopped Ellis via TKO in the 12th round. Failed to win the vacant title. Lasted into the 12th round.
6. Jimmy Ellis loses to Joe Frazier via KO
On February 16, 1970 Jimmy Ellis met Joe Frazier in an undisputed heavyweight title unification fight. Ellis was 29 years old with a record of 27-5, and Frazier was 26 with a record of 24-0. Ellis was on a 12-fight winning streak and Frazier was on an undefeated 24-fight winning streak. Frazier stopped Ellis via retirement in the 4th round. Lost the undisputed title.
5. Jimmy Ellis loses to George Benton via majority decision
On November 30, 1964 Jimmy Ellis faced George Benton. Ellis was 24 years old with a record of 15-4, and Benton was 31 with a record of 52-9-1. Ellis was coming off a loss, while Benton was on a 2-fight winning streak. Ellis lost via majority decision. Went the distance with Benton.
4. Jimmy Ellis loses to Don Fullmer via split decision
On October 21, 1964 Jimmy Ellis faced Don Fullmer. Ellis was 24 years old with a record of 15-3, and Fullmer was 0 with a record of 0-0. Ellis was coming off a win. Ellis lost via split decision. Went the distance with Fullmer.
3. Jimmy Ellis loses to Rubin Carter via unanimous decision
On February 28, 1964 Jimmy Ellis faced Rubin Carter. Ellis was 24 years old with a record of 14-2, and Carter was 0 with a record of 0-0. Ellis was on a 3-fight winning streak. Ellis lost via unanimous decision. Went the distance with Carter.
2. Jimmy Ellis loses to Henry Hank via unanimous decision
On September 1, 1962 Jimmy Ellis faced Henry Hank. Ellis was 22 years old with a record of 11-1, and Hank was 0 with a record of 0-0. Ellis was on a 6-fight winning streak. Ellis lost via unanimous decision. Went the distance with Hank.
1. Jimmy Ellis loses to Holley Mims via unanimous decision
On November 29, 1961 Jimmy Ellis faced Holley Mims. Ellis was 21 years old with a record of 5-0, and Mims was 0 with a record of 0-0. Ellis was on an undefeated 5-fight winning streak. Ellis lost via unanimous decision. Went the distance with Mims.