Career
Amateur level
The first time was in the 3rd round of a National Amateur Athletic Union tournament. Later that year, in the United States Olympic Trials, he knocked Holmes out in the first round. But Wells had suffered a head wound before the fight at his hotel, and the fight was stopped by the referee when it began to bleed profusely.
Three-time interservice runner up in 1972, 1974, 1976.
Wells compiled an amateur record of 189-18 with 110 knockouts, 72 of them in the first round. Pro level
Wells declined an opportunity to be trained by legendary trainer and manager Lou Duva in New Jersey, opting instead to train and fight out of his hometown of Fort Worth, Texas.
He continued his professional boxing career, but lost the Texas State Heavyweight Title match to Roy Wallace in his first bout after becoming a firefighter. He went 3 - 4 from that point, his last two fights ending in knockout losses to heavyweight contenders Eddie "The Animal" Lopez and Tony "The Tongan Torpedo" Fulilangi.
He retired from boxing in 1983 with a professional record of 13 - 8, although some accounts list his record at 15 - 8.
