Ernie Terrell

Ernie Terrell
Statistics
Real name	Ernest Terrell
Rated at	Heavyweight
Height	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Reach	82 in (208 cm)
Nationality	American
Born	April 4, 1939 (1939-04-04) 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. At 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m), he was very tall, by the standards of the day.^{[citation needed]}

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

In his early boxing career, Terrell defeated some good contenders, including Cleveland Williams (Terrell won the rematch by decision after losing to Williams in their first fight by knockout), 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 repeatedly called Ali by his birth name. He explained later that he had known Clay for years in the amateurs and hadn't gotten used to calling him another 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. Ali won a lopsided 15 round decision, reclaiming the undisputed Championship. The fight is recounted by the film Ali starring Will Smith. Terrell lost an upset 12 round decision later in 1967 in the WBA Heavyweight Tournament which was organized after Ali was stripped of his title in April 1967.

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.

External links

• Professional boxing record for Ernie Terrell from BoxRec

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Muhammad Ali	Heavyweight boxing champion (WBA) 1965–1967	Succeeded by Muhammad Ali