BoxRec

Lets say that for whatever reason these two met. The magnetism of the sport and the growing politics of the time threw the pair into the ring.

The fight is set for December of 1966.

Terrel fresh of his wins over always tough George Chuvalo and capable trial horse Doug Jones. Not to mention a year earlier his win over the still handy Eddie Machen. His tall frame and awkward jabbing style make for a hard fight, though boring one against most potential foes of this era.

Patterson somewhat in-active has just demolished Henry Cooper who has given Ali a tough fight prior to the Patterson bout. A year earlier Patterson had lost in a one sided bout to peak Ali who stopped him in the 12th. In that same year Patterson had beaten tough guy Chuvalo in one of the divisions and decades more exciting bouts as well as making short work of journeyman Todd Herring. Patterson famous for his fast hands and peak-a-boo style which protects his soft chin and slight frame. Though still handy and always fast, he is slowly sliding down the ladder of division bests.

The principles
Ernie Terrel 6'6 210lb
Vs
Floyd Patterson 6' 194lb

Who wins it and how do you guys see the fight playing out.

Merry X-mas.

Kym

I don't think Terrell was 6'6". Not without a good pair of stilts!

Goodnight, Irene wrote:I don't think Terrell was 6'6". Not without a good pair of stilts!

Terrell was measured at 6'6, but it is odd. Ali was 6'3 1/2 and Terrell only looks a shade taller in their fight.

I am sure that he was that tall. Its just that he seemed to lean and curl forwards which made him seem alot less taller than what he really was.

But I have read from a few sources, here included that he was 6'6.

Kym

Words to this effect in a doco I once saw...

"Clay tapped the six-foot Terrell playfully on the jaw, saying, "You are not too big." Unsmiling, Terrell took off his jacket, while newsmen shouted encouragement."

I'm thinking now about that doco (what was it's name?) Doesn't look to me as though Terrell is six-foot even, but he sure don't appear 6'6" either. Even when you see them in the footage as Terrell removes his jacket in front of Ali, there doesn't appear to be much height difference at all & they are on even ground.

By comparison, look at Holmes-Cooney. Cooney is listed at 6'7" or a shade under & Holmes is Ali's height at 6'3". The height difference is visible.

Perhaps it is as Robinson said, that Terrell leans forward, but that wouldn't explain the out-of-the-ring footage of them I saw. Oh well.

Patterson is too far removed from his best to win this, at least in a one-off encounter. If Terell was indeed that big, then presumably Patterson is giving up plenty of reach too. His increasingly bad back & diminishing speed (always his best asset, despite having underrated knockout power) is all adding up to bad news for Patterson, IMO.

edit

I think Terrel was most likely 6'4 and a bit going by how much taller he is compared to Ali's 6'3.

6'6 is pretty tall, and is the listed height. Either way he is much taller than Patterson.

Kym

edit

Patterson 15 unanimous