EARLY LIFE

Ellsworth Webb was born on November 20, 1931, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, into a large family as one of eleven children.

AMATEUR CAREER

Ellsworth Webb began his notable NCAA boxing achievements during his time at Compton Junior College, where he captured consecutive NCAA junior titles in 1950 and 1951.

Transferring to Idaho State University, Webb elevated his success by securing back-to-back NCAA light middleweight championships in 1952 and 1953.

Throughout his college career, Webb maintained an undefeated record of 71-0, with 57 knockouts.

Webb was selected to represent the United States in the light middleweight division (71 kg) at the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki, Finland, after winning the NCAA light middleweight title in 1952 while competing for Idaho State College.

In the tournament, Webb received a first-round bye due to the bracket structure. He advanced to the second round on July 29, where he faced Hungary's László Papp, the reigning Olympic middleweight gold medalist from 1948 and a formidable southpaw. Papp knocked out Webb in the second round, ending his Olympic campaign.

PROFESSIONAL CAREER

He made his professional debut on July 1, 1953, at Chicago Stadium in Chicago, Illinois, defeating Jimmy Johnson by knockout in the second round on the undercard of the Bob Satterfield-Bob Baker heavyweight bout; billed as "Spider" Webb, this victory marked the beginning of his pro career at age 21. Webb quickly built momentum in his initial professional outings from July 1953 to March 1954, compiling a record of 12 wins and 1 loss, with 10 knockouts, primarily in Midwest venues like Chicago and Detroit, his sole defeat came by decision against the more experienced Jimmy Elby in July 1953.

His career was interrupted when he was drafted into the U.S. Army in early 1954. Webb served two years in the Army, including 11 months stationed in Germany with the 1st Division Combat Engineers, followed by time at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri and Fort Lewis in Washington.1 During his tenure at Fort Lewis, he maintained his boxing skills by serving as one of the division's boxing coaches, working alongside fellow coach Charley Joseph, whom he later faced professionally. He received an honorable discharge in April 1956, enabling him to resume his professional boxing career on a full-time basis.

In 1958, Ellsworth "Spider" Webb achieved a series of landmark victories that solidified his reputation as a top middleweight contender. On June 24, he defeated British Empire middleweight champion Dick Tiger by unanimous points decision over 10 rounds at Earls Court Empress Hall in Kensington, London.

On November 19, he upset the third-ranked Joey Giardello by technical knockout in the seventh round (1:30) at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California, due to severe cuts over and under Giardello's left eye, dominating with two-fisted combinations after the third round and handing Giardello one of his worst beatings.

Just weeks later, on December 9, Webb edged British and European middleweight champion Terry Downes by technical knockout in the eighth round at Empire Pool in Wembley, London, as cuts over Downes' eyes forced the stoppage in a thrilling, back-and-forth battle that British boxing writers named the UK's Fight of the Year for 1958.

In early 1959, Webb capped this streak with a first-round knockout of sixth-ranked Bobby Boyd on February 18 at Chicago Stadium, countering an early onslaught to drop Boyd twice and prompt the referee's intervention.

These victories, part of Webb's career total of 19 knockouts across 34 wins, propelled him to No. 4 in The Ring magazine's world middleweight rankings and earned him a shot at the NBA middleweight title. However, his path to the championship included an earlier setback against champion Gene Fullmer. On September 11, 1958, Fullmer won a unanimous 10-round decision over Webb at Derks Field in Salt Lake City, Utah, using relentless pressure and body work to outpunch the skilled boxer.

Webb earned a rematch for Fullmer's NBA middleweight crown on December 4, 1959, at George Nelson Field House in Logan, Utah. Despite a competitive effort—landing sharp jabs that cut both of Fullmer's eyes and staggering him at times—Webb lost by unanimous 15-round decision, as Fullmer's brawling style, constant aggression, and heavier punches overwhelmed him in a grueling contest before 4,200 fans.

This title challenge marked the peak of Webb's professional ascent, affirming his status among the era's elite middleweights even in defeat.

As Webb's career entered its final phase, he faced a series of challenging bouts that tested his resilience against seasoned contenders. In March 1958, he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Holly Mims in Fort Wayne, Indiana, during which he was knocked down for a nine-count in the sixth round, marking a rare moment of vulnerability in his otherwise durable run. Later that year, after rebounding with victories including a decision over Jimmy Beecham, Webb lost a unanimous decision to middleweight champion Gene Fullmer in September 1958, a defeat that shifted momentum and highlighted the toll of facing elite opposition. In April 1959, he secured a fourth-round stoppage win over the experienced Neal Rivers in Chicago, demonstrating lingering skill but amid growing signs of wear from accumulated ring wars.4 Following a title challenge loss to Fullmer in December 1959, Webb notched a controversial split decision victory over Rory Calhoun in February 1960 at the Cow Palace in Daly City, California—their third encounter—which propelled him briefly back into contention but left him disillusioned with his performances.5 This win prompted an initial retirement announcement in July 1960.

Despite the announcement, Webb made an ill-advised comeback after a 14-month layoff, facing Dick Tiger in April 1961 at St. Nicholas Arena in New York. Entering the ring rusty, he was knocked down in the second round and twice more in the sixth before a knockout loss, his only career stoppage defeat in 40 professional bouts. This decisive setback, against a sharper and improved Tiger, solidified Webb's permanent retirement at age 29, concluding a career spanning 1953 to 1961 with a record of 34 wins, 6 losses, and 19 knockouts.

LIFE AFTER BOXING

PERSONAL LIFE

DEATH

Ellsworth Webb passed away on November 23, 2017, in his hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the age of 86, just three days after celebrating his 86th birthday on November 20. The cause of his death was not publicly disclosed.

LEGACY

Webb was inducted into the Idaho State University Sports Hall of Fame in 1980 in recognition of his contributions to both boxing and football during his college years.