March 1964 All '5' were signed to compete in a Madison Square Garden, Heavyweight Elimination Tournament. To determine a new Heavyweight Champion. At first the '5" were to compete in an eliminator, with the winner to face Cassius Clay, in Madison Square Garden. But Inter-Continental Promotions owned the rights for Cassius Clay's next '2' defenses, and put up oppossition to the tournament. Sonny Liston was to get the rematch, regardless of what MSG was promoting. Doug Jones, the #1 contender (as of March 1964), decided to pull out of the tournament, stating as the #1 contender, he deserved the next title shot. #1 Doug Jones #2 Floyd Patterson #3 Ernie Terrell #4 Cleveland Williams #5 Eddie Machen With Doug Jones departure. The tournament will put #1 Patterson vs #4 Machen, and #2 Terrell vs #3 Williams in 12-Rounders. The fighters will receive purses of $75,000 apiece. The winners will meet in the fall, to determine a NYSAC Champion, in a 15-round bout. Originally, the tournament had #2 Patterson vs. #4 Williams and #3 Terrell vs #5 Machen. Doug Jones would have a First-Round bye. In the semi-final, Doug Jones would face the lowest rated winner of the '2' eliminator bouts. In other words, if Eddie Machen won, Doug Jones would face Machen.
From what was reported out of New York, contract problems developed. Doug Jones was putting in a good effort in to get the next title shot. Eddie Machen had a $10,000 deposit from a Miami Beach promoter, with a signed contract for the next title fight, and was not interested in fighting Ernie Terrell. Floyd Patterson had a $50,000 fight purse offered, to take on Santo Amonti, in Europe. And a proposed Title Fight with Cleveland Williams vs. Ernie Terrell got no traction.
Great article..interesting times with all the top fighters maybe getting matched up against each other. MSG & the NYSAC always had some interesting ideas back then.
They wanted any fight, as long as Sonny Liston was not involved. It seems the NYSAC Championship fight between Cleveland Williams vs. Ernie Terrell, a 3rd bout between the two looked promising. But when the money issue shrunk, they were each offered $37,500 of the $75,000 fight purse total, but most important, it was a Television fight. Foolishly, they both backed out.
RR, Doug Jones went on to lose to substitute Billy Daniels, and George Chuvalo. Floyd beat, Santo Amonti, George Chuvalo and Eddie Machen. Eddie Machen, lost to Floyd Patterson and Ernie Terrell. Cleveland Williams got shot in the leg by a police officer. Ernie Terrell beat Eddie Machen. Really a mess.
