I saw the Ernie Terell vs Bob Foster match on ESPN classic. I recommend watching it. It’s a good scrap with plenty of action from both fighters. We all know Terrell won by knockout, but those who have not seen the match are in for a big surprise. Terrell was GASP, a pretty quick fighter. He did not resemble the slow plodder who meet Ali in 1967. Terrell was much quicker in 1964 vs Foster. Is there any reason why Terell looked so slow vs Ali, and so quick vs Foster? I know Ali could make you look slower, but if you see saw both fights, you see two different Ernie Terell’s in the ring. I realize Foster was a victim as a heavyweight, but after seeing this fight, I have some new found respect for Terrell. In his day he was a decent fighter.
You know, this was exactly my reaction. Terrell actually looked like a different fighter versus Ali--much slower of foot and hand. He was only 28 but looked ten years older.
I remember Terrell with a good jab and an octopus hug. Maybe Ernie's jab couldn't work against Ali, then Ali started peppering him with combos (& "what's my name") so he went into that turtle defense and did nothing. You are right ...it was strange.
How did Foster's footwork compare to Ali- continuous lateral movement? And what about distance? Were they fighting at closer range where Terrell could land with his jab or at longer range where Terrell couldn't against Ali? What about broken rhythm? Footwork is key to everything.
Foster moved around well vs Terell. He was not a stationary target vs Terell, except in the exchanges.
When you have an early eye injury in a fight, it totally ruins your timing and "feeling" of the ring, you have nothing else left than to fight flat-footed and only being effective at close range where eye vision is not as important. It was an accident, but it obviously affected Terrell not being able to put up any resistance vs Ali. Ali's "greatness" had litle to do with Terrell looking bad.
So let me guess, Terrel had an eye cut when he entered the ring, because throughout the whole fight he was ineffective against Ali.:good
I don't think it was as good a performance as being made out here. Yes, Ernie looked a little quicker but he was able to impose himself on Foster, mostly by using his superior strength, especially in the clinches, wherein he leant all over Bob, using his great weight advantage while beating his body with blows that tired foster out. It was exhaustion, more than anything else, that finished Foster. He also had the extra confidence to treat foster this way, whereas against Ali he looked **** scared.
I think the eye problem more than bothered him and took the fight out of him. He was tough and hung in there, but some fighters go on on instinct (say, Frazier) to get the win, while others become slow and flatfooted with survival as only objective.
I have an old Ring magazine which shows a series of frames of Ali /Clay ,sparring with Terrell before Ali was champ Terell more than held his own,frequently finding Ali with his long jab,I though going in that Ali would win ,but that it would be competitive,Terrell was considered the best challenger out there,and had a version of the title himself,,the eye injury was probably a big factor ,but Ernie seemd to tense up to me ,either through tension ,or possibly he was intimidated by Alis speed.He sure didnt fight to his potential ,though he hung in there and took a nasty beating
