THE INSPIRING STORY OF HEATH ELLIS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 01 Jun 2011
When a young man involved in the sometimes brutal sport of boxing decides that an education is important and strives, while practicing his athletic discipline, to focus on his studies it provides an inspiring story. It also provides other fighters with an example worth emulating.
It is even more significant when the fighter is a champion with an exciting future ahead of him.
Filipino-Australian Heath ?The Heat? Ellis? mother Melody is from the Philippines and is married to Neil Ellis who proudly informed us that Heath has formally graduated with a Bachelor of Education A double degree which which entitles him to teach in Elementary and High school.
Adding another wholesome touch to 2 year old Heath?s graduation was the presence of his fianc?e Natalie who has been Heath?s childhood sweetheart since they were both 14 years old.
What is even more remarkable is that the charming Natalie herself is also a teacher. Indeed, there are very few boxers in the world with university degrees.
Ellis will fight for the WBC World Youth Interim light welterweight championship and the vacant WBC Asian Boxing Council title against Thailand?s Patomsuk Pathompothong who has a record of 12-1 with 8 knockouts.
The fight will take place on July 22 at the Sunshine Roller Skating Center in Melbourne, Australia.
Ellis has a record of 14-2-1 with 7 knockouts and is coming of a 2nd round knockout of Yodmongkol Singmanasak last March 18. His Thai opponent is coming off a 1st round knockout over John Johan last May 20.
Among the many titles Heath has held are the Victoria State Light Welterweight, Victoria State Welterweight ,Victoria State Light Middleweight ,Victoria State Middleweight, IBF Pan Pacific Welterweight , WBC Asian Boxing Council Welterweight - Interim (2009) , WBC Asian Boxing Council Welterweight (2010) and WBC Asian Boxing Council Continental Light Middleweight title.
Heath is the nephew of former IBF world super featherweight champion Lester ?Master Blaster? Ellis who was also the WBF welterweight champion, the IBO lightweight, light welterweight and light middleweight champion during his career.
Photos: Heath Ellis with his fiancee Natalie (top) and his mother Melody (above).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Boxlab Promotions Euri Cedeno and Carlos De Leon Castro Shine in San Juan Victories
Wed, 04 Feb 2026National Boxing Hall of Fame 2026 is set to April 26 in Montebello, California
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Vito Mielnicki Jr. Returns Home to Defend WBC USA, IBF USBA and WBO Global Middleweight Championships Against Omar Ulises Huerta
Wed, 04 Feb 2026Noah Lucas Palcis sees action in Bangkok chess meet
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 04 Feb 2026Reymond Yanong Edges Out Hayato Ono for Split Decision Win in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 03 Feb 2026“I’m gonna smoke whoever is in front of me, Anthony Wright- Hearn makes his pro debut March 13 at Thunderdome 53
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Pacman's Cue Club Hosts J&P 10 Ball Cup from Feb. 4 to 7
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Mt. Apo Boulder Face Challenge is back
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026WILDER AND CHISORA FACE OFF IN ICONIC TIMES SQUARE TO ANNOUNCE APRIL 4 HEAVYWEIGHT SHOWDOWN AT THE O2 LONDON
Tue, 03 Feb 2026World Boxing appoints Tom Dielen as new Secretary General
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Sullivan Management signs 19-1 power-punching Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga
Tue, 03 Feb 2026Another Grandeza in MMA is coming
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 03 Feb 2026Gracie meets Zubiri in PH
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 02 Feb 2026International Master Eric Labog Jr. rules FIDE rapid chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 02 Feb 202676ers star Paul George has been suspended for 25 NBA games by doping
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sun, 01 Feb 2026