Ernie Terrell

Biography

Ernie Terrell was born on April 4, 1939, in Belzoni, Mississippi, but spent much of his life in Chicago, Illinois, where he would forge his path in professional boxing. Standing at 6'6" with an imposing 81.9-inch reach, Terrell was a physically commanding presence in the heavyweight division. On May 15, 1957, he turned professional, debuting against Norman Bolden at the Chicago Stadium, claiming a unanimous decision victory over four rounds. From that point, Terrell began building a career defined by perseverance, skill, and a notable presence in one of boxing's most competitive eras.

Terrell's rise through the ranks was methodical. His orthodox stance, combined with his jab-heavy style, made him a formidable opponent for any heavyweight. Though not always the most exciting fighter, he was exceptionally effective at controlling distance and dictating the pace of his bouts. By the early 1960s, Terrell had established himself as a legitimate contender, facing and defeating respected names like Cleveland Williams, Zora Folley, and George Chuvalo.

His crowning achievement came on March 5, 1965, when he captured the vacant WBA heavyweight title by outpointing Eddie Machen over 15 gruelling rounds. Terrell's disciplined jab and tactical approach neutralized Machen's offence, earning him a unanimous decision victory and the title. Terrell successfully defended his belt twice, including a hard-fought victory against Doug Jones, before running into Muhammad Ali in a unification bout on February 6, 1967.

The fight against Ali is most remembered when Terrell's name is mentioned. The build-up was filled with tension as Terrell repeatedly referred to Ali by his former name, Cassius Clay, an act that infuriated the champion. In the ring, Ali dominated Terrell over 15 punishing rounds, with Ali taunting him repeatedly with the infamous phrase, "What's my name?" Despite the one-sided nature of the bout, Terrell's durability and grit ensured he heard the final bell, though he lost his WBA title and missed the chance to unify the division.

After the Ali fight, Terrell continued boxing but was never able to recapture his previous form or championship success. He remained a capable heavyweight, securing wins against solid opponents, but losses to contenders like Manuel Ramos and Thad Spencer signalled his decline. On September 10, 1973, Terrell fought for the final time against Jeff Merritt at Madison Square Garden. It was a brutal farewell, with Terrell suffering a first-round TKO defeat, marking the end of a 16-year professional career.

Outside the ring, Terrell was a multifaceted individual. He was a talented musician, performing with his family group, The Terrells, and he later became a successful businessman in Chicago. His contributions to boxing, both in and out of the ring, remain significant. Terrell passed away on December 16, 2014, at the age of 75, leaving behind a legacy defined by resilience, toughness, and an unyielding spirit in one of boxing's golden eras.