[1] At the age of 19, In 1985, Ellis fought and beat then-reigning IBF super featherweight champion Hwan-Kil Yuh over fifteen rounds.
In 1993 he won the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) welterweight title against Rocky Berg.
Ellis faced and defeated Al Coquilla in 1994 for the vacant IBO light welterweight title.
[2] At the age of five, Ellis's mother Sheila left the family home, leaving the three boys to live with Keith Snr.
[1] Later that year on 12 July 1985 Ellis lost his IBF world championship via unanimous decision to ex training partner and then rival Barry Michael.