Jimmy Ralston
Light-Heavyweight
1960-69

James Ralston was born May 2, 1941, and grew up in the Riverside section of Buffalo, N.Y. He came from a family of nine children. While attending Riverside High School, Jimmy became interested in the sweet science of boxing in 1957, at the age of sixteen. He first encountered it when a black trainer named, Vernis "Spats" Simpson took him into the basement of a Riverside housing project, where he ran a boxing gym. Ralston fought only five amateur fights and became a top amateur contender, winning the Golden Gloves welterweight division in 1959.

Quickly turning pro in 1960, Jimmy reeled off five straight wins with three knockouts. before a disputed draw against Bobby Fong Wong, in New York's Madison Square Garden. This would be Jimmy's first taste of discouragement, as he realized he was being poorly managed by Fritz Febel. Jim took time off from his boxing career. In 1966, Ralston was contacted by Angelo and Chris Dundee to come down to Miami and train to get some fights under his belt. Jimmy fought seven fights within a five- month span, winning six, with five knockouts and one loss by knockout. Things were looking good but Angelo would have to leave for London with Muhammad. Ali, for an upcoming fight. Jim got discouraged and saw an end to his stay in Florida, so he went back to Buffalo.

In 1967, Pat Giordano became his new manager, and Jimmy was back to his winning ways. He won eight consecutive bouts with five knockouts, three in the first round. He had a rematch in Buffalo against "Scatterhawk" Dixon in

I 968,and knocked him out in seventeen seconds of the first round. Jimmy also fought the Canadian Light-heavyweight champ, Al Sparks and won a ten round decision. Ralston made high impressions on the nation's boxing moguls, when he was invited to train at Grossinger's training camp in the Catskills. He did so well that he became the only sparring partner for Bob Foster, the Light-heavyweight Champion.

Jim had a rematch in Buffalo with Billy Tiger in 1969, and would beat him again, this time it was a second round knockout. After that fight, Jimmy became ranked seventh in the world and the title seemed to be within reach. Two months later, he fought Tony Montano, the one time Middleweight, Light-heavyweight, and Heavyweight Champion of Arizona. Jimmy needed only 1:38 of the first round to dispose of Montano, with one solid right hand shot to the Mexican's jaw. Montano's manager announced (after Tony regained his senses) that Tony entered the ring for the last time.

Ralston's next big opportunity was a scheduled fight with former World Champion, Jose Torres, a win over Torres would have vaulted Jimmy toward a title shot and much wider boxing fame. A recurring elbow injury for Jim prevented the fight from ever taking place. Jimmy retired shortly after that, from his brief but brilliant boxing career.

Jimmy Ralston moved on to become a boxing trainer, and was able to give back to boxing, that which was given so freely to him. He used his skills to develop a host of "National Amateur Champions" and top contenders over the years. Jimmy is proud of the fact that his son, Les Ralston, who has won many amateur titles, is an outstanding amateur contender in the country. Les is a prime example of his training skills. Jimmy has represented many phases of boxing and has served in many capacities. He is currently the Regional Vice-President of Western New York Amateur Boxing.