Ernie Terrell vs Sonny Liston (Nov 1966)

This is a possibilty .

 

I agree mcvey, but when you look at his 'title' reign, you see three fighters who were pan fed, and tailor made for his style for all the reasons I mentioned. To his credit, there basically wasn't anyone else around; Patterson-Chuvalo was already set for Feb. 65, Ali-Sonny were set for the rematch, etc...
Sidebar: I'm sorry I keep saying this but it makes me laugh just to think about it.
Would you want a ringside seat for a Terrell-Bugner?? Similar strengths, similar weaknesses? Offer me a ringside seat for that one with free beer and dogs and I'd still stay home and watch a Tom & Jerry rerun.

 

I have speculated that if Ali had never been born, Terrell might actually have been the guy to depose Liston.

He might have been the right person at the right time.

 

Floyd wouldn't go near Ernie,Bonavena might have been interesting.
I agree about Ernie's entertainment value ,he was dire! Dire but effective.Bugner was exciting in2 fights against Dunn when he had a point to prove and Frazier where he had to fight just to stay in there.

 

Yeah, Ernie would have just tied up Floyd over and over, pushed him around. Patterson's only hope would have been to land solidly which he might have.
Bugner was an overrated fighter who never took chances and never had the heart of a champion. And his 'challenge' against Ali in Kuala Lampur in 75 was a run and hide joke!
"2 fights against Dunn when he had a point to prove?"
Against a tomato can??? Is that some kind of joke?

 

I agree with this.

Listons strengths were multiplied every time he fought smaller contenders with shorter arms, he has not got this here. Don't forget, Sonny was a weight division bigger and stronger than the Roy Harris, Albert Whestphal, and Floyd Patterson types he fought.

On top of this, Listons strengths were multiplied ten fold if the other guy was frozen with fear. but going by Terrells spirited fight with Williams and his exhibition with actual Liston himself he's not going into the unknown with Sonny either. I would therefore expect Ernie to stand up to Sonny and present genuine competition which was absent in so many world level key fights on Sonny's resume.

I can imagine an untidy fight. With 1966 Sonny looking as tired as he was against Ali in their first fight.

I dont rate Terrell especially highly but he was exactly the kind of awkward octopus to make great fighters look human. In this case,he is fighting a past prime great fighter.

 

Whatever you think of Dunn's abilities,he was the reigning European,British and Commonweath Champion.Both had lost their world title challenges and Bugner was looking to regain his titles.So yes I stand fully behind my comment ,he had a point to prove!

 

Ali, in his questionable second reign, said he would fight the winner of Dunn vs. (I think) Eckard Dagge the German Heavy. Dagge said (before the Dunn fight) that he wouldn't fight Ali saying he would simply be outclassed! Well, Dunn didn't feel that way. "Yorkshire Blood will make me prevail" he said and proceeded to go out an make fool out of himself! A ****out to Ali for even taking that fight. IMHO Bugner was all bucks! He had NO championship heart. Don't bring up Frazier; 5 months removed from his Foreman dismantling. Joe fought a good fight that night but he still lost cleanly....

 

go watch sonny liston spar with terell on youtube he toys with him it was recorded in 1962 ...but even in 66 liston beats terrell

 

I don't think Dunn made a fool of himself at all.
Against Ali I think he fought bravely and to the best of his ability .
Exhibiting courage and getting up several times to face more punishment and certain defeat is never foolish, in my book it shows admirable guts and character.I applaud it!
It's hard enough being in the ring fighting when you are evenly matched ,when you are palpably outclassed in every department it is a night mare.
I didn't bring up Frazier .I said Bugner fought 2 good fights ,against Dunn and Frazier ,I never suggested he beat Frazier, or that the fight was close.

I believe I've proved my point.

 

Bump. Liston and Terrell sparred many rounds together so both guys would know each other well.

“He don’t fight. He just hugs you. He hugs me more than my wife.” - Liston on Ernie Terrell

 

Absolutely correct.

 

Terrell is a bad match for almost anyone. Sonny doesn't need this match in 1966. He's better off in Sweden where the broad jumping is even bettter than in Las Vegas. Terrell was still a formidable and unpleasant foe. Ernie was rarely defeated and everyone he fought looked terrible. Terrell vs Liston would resemble a taffy pull or a rassling exhibition and Sonny would be tired by the 5th round.

 

I pick Terrell over most men from the '60s, and by '66? I'll definitely takes Ernie earnestly.

 

At that point Terrell might have won. Ernie was pretty durable and Liston was faded by this stage. Am I confident enough to bet on it ? Not really but I’m hesitant to pick Liston either.