A fighter and a gentleman remembered

THE old boxing phrase “you couldn’t hit him with a handful of rice” is the way boxer Ernest James Sims is best remembered.

Ernest “Bullant” Sims, who spent many years fighting in Tasmania, died recently in Melbourne at the age of 80.

Born in Melbourne, Sims fought in the city for many years before moving to Tasmania in the late 1950s.

At 167cm tall, he was a bantamweight and had some success locally and nationally.

Ernest Sims 1937 – 2017

Sims fought across Tasmania, including at Hobart’s City Hall, in Launceston and even at Wayatinah.

Grant Brown, who manages champion Tasmanian boxer Luke Jackson, said Sims was one of the best Australia had seen.

Mr Brown said Sims was destined to enter the world of boxing with his father also regarded as a great fighter.

“He was from Melbourne originally but he moved to Tasmania for many years and boxed here then moved back to Carlton and opened a youth gym for troubled youth,” Mr Brown said.

Mr Brown met Sims in 2013 and said he was a good friend of his father Dennis, his grandfather Lennie and nd his two great uncles.

“He was a gentleman, he never drank or swore and as a boxer you couldn’t hit him with a handful of f rice he was just so skilful ful and clever.

“He was a very humble man.”