Jimmy Abbott How He Transitioned From Heavyweight To A Pastor- 7 Interesting Facts

Jimmy Abbott was a South African former Boxer that later went into the gospel ministry. Popularly called Jumbo in the ring, big Jimmy was known for being big in his punches and doing things big.  He is fondly remembered for getting a national honor even before going professional in 1978.

He had an amazing amateur career in the 1970s but this was later derailed by his use of drugs, uncontrolled weight, and subsequently failing health.

Biography Of Jimmy Abbott

Jimmy Abbott was born on 11 May 1959. He was believed to have had a very troubled childhood which was one of the main things that attracted him to boxing very early in his life.

While information about his education, parents, and siblings remain unknown, it is known that first gained attention towards the mid and second part of the 1970s when he started his career as a young boxer in the amateur division.

By 1977, he had already established himself as a young boxer and he was awarded the South African Amateur Boxing Association Merit Colours and a Springbok blazer in the same year.

As regards his personal life, Jimmy got married to Annette Abbott with whom they have children but details are not known.

Transition From Heavyweight To Pastor

Jimmy Abbott found purpose in religion after retiring from boxing. The first record of his work as a minister was in 1989, only a few years after he retired. He served as a pastor of Jabb Ministries in Heidelberg, Gauteng, for a very long time.

In 1992, he became a minister at the Christian Church of South Africa. He was there until 1995.  While he was still with the church, he decided to train himself in Theology and so he attended the Antioch Christian Bible school in 1994 and later graduated with a diploma.

It is believed that his decision to join the ministries was as a result of the turbulence of his childhood and somehow, he managed to be very successful at it with the help of his wife until his death.

Here Are 7 Interesting Facts About Him

1. Jimmy Abbott Career

He started boxing in his teenage years in local teams where he was trained for a short span of time. Those that witnessed his matches are not surprised at gaining national honors before he turned professional.

He became a professional boxer in 1978 with a debut match on June 2 at Showground Bulls Ring in Bloemfontein after several formidable fights. Jimmy Abbott maintained a 26-bout fight within the years he was actively boxing till his retirement in 1983.

Arguably one of his greatest matches, the first-round knockout of Kallie Knoetze the former world heavyweight contender was a tough one.

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2. He Injected Himself Steroids

For five years Jimmy Abbott was a user, he injected himself steroids and practically pushed himself to his limit.

His appetite was greatly increased due to steroid use, he ate himself out and added weight. He weighed close to 375 kg within this period.

3. Jimmy Abbott Was Forced To Drop His weight

Prolong use of steroids and massive weight gain took a toll on his health. after three heart attacks and a stroke, he was forced to drop his weight to 170kg. His initial weight and a height of 6 feet 5 inches did not make things any easy for him.

Following the unfortunate incident, it was his wife that helped in teaching him how to walk again, as he tried to shed off some weight.

4. He Never Won A National/World Title

He is probably one of the Heavyweights that never won any national title even at the height of his career. After hanging his boxing gloves, he dabbled in wrestling but never made the big leagues.

Abbot has been described as possibly the best heavyweights in the country never to win a national title.

5. He Was 400kg At His heaviest

In his final years, Jimmy Abbott had to fail health resulting from three heart attacks. For a man who had always been a heavyweight both literally and apparently, his final years were marked by a significant loss of one of his physical attributes.

At his heaviest, he recorded a weight of 400kg as against the sharp drop to 170kg. Everything about him was big, he will remain big in the memory of his fans.

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6. His Net Worth

He was at his peak as a professional boxer in the late 1970,s and 80s. This contributed to his fortune at the time in the form of monies he earned from appearances and sponsorship deals.

Most of his net worth was not well invested, when his health deteriorated, fans had to set up a fundraiser for $40 thousand to help cover his medical bills and sustain him. His net worth at the time of his death was not known.

7. He Died At Age 61

On the 21st March 2021, he was rushed to the hospital by medics where he has later confirmed dead. He died at the age of 61. His death is a rude shocker of how transient life is, Jimmy Abbott will always be Jumbo for boxing fans.

Complete profile of Jimmy Abbott