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Ernie Terrell Autograph
A great Colour 8x10 photograph Autograph by former Heavyweight
Champion Ernie Terrell. Great Action shot against Muhammad
Ali.
Ernie Terrell
SOLD
Heavyweight boxer and entertainer Ernie Terrell was born
on April 4, 1939, in Belzoni, Mississippi. This tall and
lanky athlete retired from the profession after fifty years
of fighting with a record of forty-six wins – twenty-one
of which were by knockout – and only nine losses.
Terrell began boxing professionally in 1957 and simultaneously
launched a popular singing group in Chicago with his sister,
Jean Terrell, who later replaced Diana Ross in the Supremes.
During his first year of boxing, he won all five of his
fights, knocking out three of his opponents. He continued
to excel, winning fight after fight over the next several
years. Terrell also continued to perform with his musical
group, Ernie Terrell and the Heavyweights.
After the World Boxing Association stripped Muhammad Ali
of his title as heavyweight champion in 1965, Terrell finally
got a chance for the label. He defeated Eddie Machen for
the vacant title and retained it until February 6, 1967.
That day, he fought in his most famous match against Ali
in Houston and lost after fifteen grueling rounds. Ali,
who had changed his name from Cassius Clay after converting
to Islam, took offense to Terrell using his "slave
name" and repeatedly shouted, "What's my name?"
throughout the bout. Terrell lost his two remaining fights
that year and announced his retirement in December. However,
he returned to the ring two years later, beating Sonny Moore
on December 15, 1969 in ten rounds. Terrell continued to
win his matches, and on June 23, 1973, he earned another
shot at becoming a heavyweight champion. However, Chuck
Wepner defeated him in twelve rounds in an extremely controversial
decision. Terrell boxed in his last fight on September of
that year.
After retiring permanently from boxing, Terrell became
a music producer in Chicago. He lives with his wife on Chicago's
South Side.
