RIP Ernie Terrell

[Chuck1052]

According to a thread on the forum of the Boxing News 24 website, Ernie Terrell, a WBA world heavyweight champion during the 1960s has passed away. The listed source for the news was Harold Lederman's Twitter account.

- Chuck Johnston

[evrenb]

According to a thread on the forum of the Boxing News 24 website, Ernie Terrell, a WBA world heavyweight champion during the 1960s has passed away. The listed source for the news was Harold Lederman's Twitter account.

- Chuck Johnston

If this is true then it is very sad to hear. I believe Ernie was the oldest living ex Heavyweight champion. That leaves Ali now.
Ernie was huge. Although he didn't weigh heavy that was because he was very lean as were almost all the Heavyweights at that time. He was 6ft 6' with an enormous 82 inch reach. Today he would be 250lbs I guess judging by the girth on many of todays Heavies. An awkward fighter to say the least who had perfected his awkward style to a tee. . .

His best wins were against Cleve Williams, Zora Folley, Bob Foster, Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo and Doug Jones. Although he made his excuses he was well beaten by the best Ali that ever lived. 1967.

He went on to be a promoter in Chicago after his career.

I like the funny story when he jumped into the ring to deal with fighting fans during the Leon Spinks vs George Mostradini exhibition...there is a picture somewhere.

RIP Ernie

regards

evren

[Datsue]

RIP.

[Ambling Alp II]

Sad to hear. He wasn't pretty watch, but he managed to have a very good career.

[handsofstone]

Most people will remember as the victim of Ali at his most ruthless


RIP Champ

[yancey]

RIP Ernie.

[SenorPipino]

Terrell certainly earned a painful place in fistic history.

Even today, casual fans of boxing are familiar with Ali's infamous non-stop chant during his 1967 drubbing of WBA champ Terrell--"What's my name? What's my name?"

Of course, in the build up to the fight, Terrell only referred to Ali as Clay.
Ali, in return, branded Terrell an "Uncle Tom," and the bad blood was ignited.

While Terrell wasn't the most exciting heavyweight, (for those of you who frequently groan about Wlad's supposed dullness in the ring, the current champ would seem Dempsey-esque compared to Terrell) he did upend a string of '60s stars, including Cleveland Williams, Chuvalo, Folley, Machen and Doug Jones. Also a stoppage of future light heavyweight legend Bob Foster.

Toll the 10 count for another fallen warrior--Ernie Terrell.

[HomicideHenry]

Ernie's place in boxing history will always be a bit skewed because of more engaging, colorful fighters outshining him inside and outside the ring. When people think of him, they either remember how easily Ali beat him from pillar to post, or they believe the stories George Chuvalo spins on how he was robbed against Ernie in Chicago. Truth is, he was a good heavyweight, though not an entertaining one.

His legacy in boxing may be that he was a consistent performer, who was on the short end of the stick for political reasons, or because his image was flawed for reasons stated previously. He beat alot of good fighters fair and square, and was given some rather raw deals as well (his loss to Wepner in '73). His reign as WBA champion was one he probably should of never gotten, as he only became champion because Ali refused to give Sonny Liston a rubber match and the WBA title became vacant.

He beat the likes of Bob Foster, Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, Jose Luis Garcia, and retired with a 46-9 (23) record. I can't help but think, maybe, had Ali not been around that his worth as a fighter would of certainly elevated. His size, reach, and style was such that he gave alot of very good fighters problems in the ring.

Hate to hear that he has passed away. Jesus bless him, and thanks for the memories.

[SenorPipino]

Ernie's place in boxing history will always be a bit skewed because of more engaging, colorful fighters outshining him inside and outside the ring. When people think of him, they either remember how easily Ali beat him from pillar to post, or they believe the stories George Chuvalo spins on how he was robbed against Ernie in Chicago. Truth is, he was a good heavyweight, though not an entertaining one.

His legacy in boxing may be that he was a consistent performer, who was on the short end of the stick for political reasons, or because his image was flawed for reasons stated previously. He beat alot of good fighters fair and square, and was given some rather raw deals as well (his loss to Wepner in '73). His reign as WBA champion was one he probably should of never gotten, as he only became champion because Ali refused to give Sonny Liston a rubber match and the WBA title became vacant.

He beat the likes of Bob Foster, Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, Jose Luis Garcia, and retired with a 46-9 (23) record. I can't help but think, maybe, had Ali not been around that his worth as a fighter would of certainly elevated. His size, reach, and style was such that he gave alot of very good fighters problems in the ring.

Hate to hear that he has passed away. Jesus bless him, and thanks for the memories.

Am I wrong, HH, or was Ali stripped of the title by the WBA for giving Liston the Lewiston return bout in 1965. Something about WBA rules prohibiting return matches.
I can't imagine or recall any outcry for Ali-Liston III. The WBA would have looked hugely ridiculous for stripping Ali over refusing a
third match.
And actually, it wouldn't have been a rubber match at all, since Ali won the first two encounters, both by KO.

[BoxBuzz]

Sorry to hear it, RIP champ.

[HomicideHenry]

I always assumed a rubber match, just meant a third fight. If I'm wrong on that, forgive me.

And actually I do stand corrected--- Ali was stripped for the Liston rematch--- however, there was supposed to be an Ali-Liston third match, which never did take place. Outrageous as it sounds, Liston got back in the fold because he won 4 matches in Sweden. But my apologies for the confusion.

[sweetsci]

Most people will remember as the victim of Ali at his most ruthless


RIP Champ

But thanks to forums like this and knowledgeable people like you all, Ernie will be remembered as much more than just an Ali opponent.

Rest in peace, Mr. Terrell.

[sweetsci]

I always assumed a rubber match, just meant a third fight. If I'm wrong on that, forgive me.

And actually I do stand corrected--- Ali was stripped for the Liston rematch--- however, there was supposed to be an Ali-Liston third match, which never did take place. Outrageous as it sounds, Liston got back in the fold because he won 4 matches in Sweden. But my apologies for the confusion.

Not to stray too far from paying our respects to Ernie Terrell, but I thought a Rubber Match meant a third contest after each fighter won a previous fight, a la Ali-Norton III, Ali-Frazier III, or Bowe-Holyfield III.

[SenorPipino]

I always assumed a rubber match, just meant a third fight. If I'm wrong on that, forgive me.

And actually I do stand corrected--- Ali was stripped for the Liston rematch--- however, there was supposed to be an Ali-Liston third match, which never did take place. Outrageous as it sounds, Liston got back in the fold because he won 4 matches in Sweden. But my apologies for the confusion.

Not to stray too far from paying our respects to Ernie Terrell, but I thought a Rubber Match meant a third contest after each fighter won a previous fight, a la Ali-Norton III, Ali-Frazier III, or Bowe-Holyfield III.

That's my understanding of a boxing rubber match, or for that matter, the deciding contest in any sports' series, in which the teams or combatants are tied.

[scorpio83]

RIP Champ.

[SteveO]

R.I.P Ernie.
The oldest surviving heavyweight champion is now Jimmy Ellis.

[scorpio83]

Wrong SteveO. Jimmy Ellis passed away 7 months ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Ellis

The distinction of the oldest living former world heavyweight now is the man, the legend, hall of famer and the icon himself "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali.

Anyways RIP Ernie.

[Broomhall]

Both Ellis and Terrell died from complications caused by Dementia. This would be a sad line of heavyweight champs who have gone this way. Patterson, Johanneson, Louis, Charles etc. Amazingly Jersey Joe Walcott who had a very long career died from Diabetes rather than dementia.

[Tuan_Jim]

Depressing news indeed. I thought Terrell would go on and on. He always seemed big, strong, fit, and mentally sound whenever he was interviewed. Perhaps the dementia descended on him quite suddenly? Either way, disheartening.

An interesting fighter. 6'6'' and yet preferred to stay close and physical. A sparring partner of Liston, boxed Big Cat, Folley, Machen, Chuvalo, Ali, and Merritt. Family in the music business. A fine and upstanding life in retirement. There would have been a good book in big Ernie, I think. One more thing - what a specimen he was! Ah if only modern heavyweights would work their way into that lean, rock hard condition and be everything they can be in the ring. Ah if only.

One more thing, again - what a singing voice he had!

[Caractacus]

here is a brief clip of Ernie Terrell singing on the ABC-TV programme
THE HOLLYWOOD PALACE
which originally aired February.4.1967.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G29XRlHXRNE

[SteveO]

Wrong SteveO. Jimmy Ellis passed away 7 months ago. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Ellis

The distinction of the oldest living former world heavyweight now is the man, the legend, hall of famer and the icon himself "The Greatest" Muhammad Ali.

Anyways RIP Ernie.

So he did. Thanks for correcting me. I don't know why Jimmy slipped my mind.
As you rightly say 'The Greatest' is now the oldest living heavyweight champion.

[scorpio83]

You're welcome SteveO. Did you know that 6 former heavyweight champions who held the WBA title passed away? Ernie Terrell, Jimmy Ellis, Joe Frazier (unified with his NY State title), "Big" John Tate, "Dynamite" Michael Dokes and Greg Page were the men who held the WBA version.

[Rexob]

About 19 of Ali's opponents have now died.

RIP Ernie Terrell.

[SenorPipino]

Both Ellis and Terrell died from complications caused by Dementia. This would be a sad line of heavyweight champs who have gone this way. Patterson, Johanneson, Louis, Charles etc. Amazingly Jersey Joe Walcott who had a very long career died from Diabetes rather than dementia.

Did Ezzard Charles die of dementia?
I thought he was a victim of Lou Gehrig's Disease (ALS).

BTW, funeral services for Ernie Terrell will take place at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 27 at Mount Hope Cemetery in Chicago.

[misterpunch]

RIP ernie - he certainly looked how a true heavy should look. his sister was the singer of the supremes after ross left them. she was a much better singer than ross - but didn't have as much of that star thing that Diana seemed to have.
I think ET was an underrated heavy and although he did better financially after his boxing career than many this is indeed a sad loss.