Ernie Terrell

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Ernie Terrell

Statistics
Real name	Ernest Terrell
Rated at	Heavyweight
Nationality	American
Birth date	April 4, 1939 (1939-04-04) (age 70)
Birth place	Belzoni, Mississippi
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	54
Wins	45
Wins by KO	21
Losses	9
Draws	0
No contests	0

Ernie Terrell (born on April 4, 1939 in Belzoni, Mississippi) is an American singer, record producer, and former World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight boxing champion. He was very tall, by the standards of the day: about 6'5" or 6'6" - so one of the tallest champions ever.

Terrell is the older brother of The Supremes's early 1970s lead singer Jean Terrell. In the 1960s, she sang with his group, "Ernie Terrell & the Knockouts".

In his early boxing career, Terrell defeated some good contenders, including Cleveland Williams, Zora Folley, and future Light Heavyweight champion Bob Foster. But he's best remembered for his challenge to World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali, on February 6, 1967--a bout in which he was badly beaten.

Ali was scheduled to fight WBA champion Ernie Terrell (the WBA stripped Ali of his title after his agreement to fight a rematch with Liston) on March 29, but Terrell backed out and Ali won a 15-round decision against substitute opponent George Chuvalo. World Boxing Association matched Terrell and Eddie Machen for the vacant crown. Terrell defeated Machen to win the belt on March 5, 1965. He held it until February 6, 1967 when he lost to Muhammad Ali. During this time, most in the boxing world continued to recognize Ali as the legitimate champion, since he had not lost his championship in a boxing match. The WBA's rival, the World Boxing Council, also continued to recognize Ali as champion.

During his reign as WBA Champion, Terrell defended the title twice, beating Doug Jones and George Chuvalo.

In 1967, Ali and Terrell met to end the confusion about who was the legitimate heavyweight champion. Before the bout, Terrell chose to call Ali by his birth name, Cassius Clay, rather than his adopted Muslim name. Ali took offense to this, as he had in a previous fight with Ring Legend Floyd Patterson where Patterson chose to call Ali 'Clay.' Ali said he would punish Terrell as he had punished Patterson, having beaten on Patterson for 12 rounds, having him hurt but not knocking him out so that he could continue to punish him. Ali shoved Terrell during an interview with Howard Cosell which almost led to a brawl.

Ali did what he said he would, beating on Terrell the entire fight, having him hurt badly but purposely not knocking him out, wanting to beat on him more and punish him for not calling him by his chosen name. Ali screamed at Terrell "What's my name, Uncle Tom?" as he battered him with lightning fast punches that kept cutting Terrell's face. With blood streaming down his nose and mouth, and his eyes swollen shut from the earlier lightning punches, Ernie could barely see Ali's fists coming. People were disgusted with the humiliation Terrell received from Ali. Ali won a lopsided 15 round decision, reclaiming the undisputed Championship. By the end of the fight, Terrell's face was reduced to a bloody pulp. Terrell claimed the reason for this was due to being fouled by Ali. Terrell said Ali thumbed in the eye which closed his eye, which made Terrell change his style. This would inhibit the chance to win the fight and Ali went on to win a lopsided unanimous decision. The fight is recounted, though not entirely accurately, by the film Ali starring Will Smith.

In 55 professional fights, Terrell earned a record of 46 wins (21 by knockout), nine losses and no draws. He retired from boxing in 1973 and began a career as a music producer in Chicago, Illinois.

Ernie Terrell ran unsuccessfully for alderman of Chicago's 34th ward in 1987. He finished second in the primary but lost to Lemuel Austin in a runoff.

References

• Konkol, Mark. "Even the champ doesn't feel safe", Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago, October 25, 2009, page 14A.

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