Ernie Terrel - The fifth best heavyweight of the 60's...

Without a doubt.

 

Arguably. But Jimmy Ellis has as strong a case.

 

Yes, Ellis has to be considered here, as does the '67-'69 version of Jerry Quarry, who I feel was a better fighter..a much better puncher in those years before he matured and filled out..his sneaky counterpunching style that he used vs Spencer comes to mind as well as his masterful ownage of Buster Mathis. Jerry's style changed pretty much vs Frazier as he couldn't take the criticism he got for not being aggresive enough vs Jimmy Ellis in '68...so he turned into a more aggresive, slugging type fighter for the most part.

 

I think Terrel just pips Ellis . Its close between them two.

 

I think Terrell edges Ellis too.

 

No argument here.
Not big on the punch.
Wonder how a 1966 bout versus Sonny Liston would have turned out?

Also, could Big Ernie have defeated;
Leotis Martin
Jerry Quarry
Jimmy Ellis
Oscar Bonavena
Mac Foster

 

there is a thing to say on zora folley. just by looking at their boxrec for the 1960ties folley has a better record. ofcourse terell did beat folley. overall i think they are about equal

 

I think Quarry was a bit better, and he fought in the 60's. I would say 6th for Terrel.

 

Ernie Terrel was still a young man whe he lost (3) straight bouts to;
Muhammad Ali
Thad Spencer
Manuel Ramos

Thad Spencer was good at that time.
Manuel Ramos was riding a pretty good streak.

But both of those fighters beat Ernie pretty good. The fights were not even
close.

 

I think it's safe to say that the Ali fight ruined Terrell. He never had a meaningful win after that.

 

Spencer and Ramos themselves barely went onto win a fight after their wins over Terrell. Being completely outboxed and humiliated can have that effect.

 

Ernie was still only 29.
And was still in excellent shape, mentally and physically.
His 6' 6" frame was still at 212 lbs. (Average fighting weight for him).

He was a heavy favorite to win the WBA Heavyweight Elimination Tournament.
He had beaten Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo and Doug Jones with relative ease.
In his bout with Ali, he was more or less punished, but not badly hurt.
But both Thad Spencer and Manuel Ramos put him down, and hurt him.

Could that one fight with Ali ruin his psyche.