1970's ~ Top Heavyweight Upsets

[Bill Paxtom]

'Upset Special #9'

Monday ~ September 10, 1973

Madison Square Garden ~ New York City, New York

Ernie Terrell ~ 46-8-0 {21 KO's} ~ 6' 6" ~ 227 lbs. ~ Reach; 82" ~ {Age; 34 years, 5 months}
vs.
Jeff Merritt ~ 21-1-0 {16 KO's} ~ 6' 4 1/2" ~ 221 lbs. ~ Reach; 81" ~ {Age; 26 years, 8 months}
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Skinny'

This bout is the 'replacement bout' for the postponed bout between Jerry Quarry and Earnie Shavers.

Jerry is recovering from the 'flu', and Earnie is still recovering from a 'broken jaw' that he suffered when
sparring with Jeff Merritt in August 1973.

Ernie 'The Big E' Terrell >
Ernie was on the edge of getting a Championship bout with George Foreman, as he had won '7' straight
bouts in his comeback run {which started in December 1970}. Ernie reached the World-Rank of the
#5 Heavyweight.

But, on June 23, 1973 > Ernie lost a controversial 12-Round Decision to Chuck Wepner in his last bout,
which was for the 'National America's Heavyweight Title'.

Ernie was still ranked in the Top 10 {#9}, but needed a win here to secure a possible Championship Bout
for late-1973.

Ernie Terrell >
"That loss to Wepner was a 'joke'. Those Judges down in New Jersey should be arrested for 'Grand Larceny'.
I won that bout with room to spare."

"I'm punching harder than ever. No more boxing. This is my last chance, and I will not let it slip by. This guy
{Jeff Merritt} can punch, but he cannot take it. I'm coming out like a Chicago Gangster, and will blast away
and put him out early."

Jeff 'Candy Slim' Merritt >
Jeff Merritt, a tall, lanky and vicious punching fighter with a 'smashing' left-hook.

Jeff, who had turned Professional in February 1968 with high-expectations, has spent 5+ years floating around
in New York, Florida and now Cleveland.

Jeff has had numerous Managers and many cancelled bouts, due to his 'flaky behavior'. Though he is talented,
Jeff has squandered a potentially great boxing career.

Now he is with Manager - Don King.

Jeff last fought on May 16, 1972 {16-Months earlier}. Since then, Jeff has been 'primarily a sparring-partner'
for Muhammad Ali and Earnie Shavers.

Jeff caused quite a stir back on Sunday - July 15, 1973 up at Grossinger's Country Club {The Catskills in New York},
when he 'fractured' the jaw of Earnie Shavers in a sparring-session. Jeff was helping Earnie prepare for his July 25th
bout with Jerry Quarry, to be held at Madison Square Garden.

Jeff Merritt >
"This is an 'all-or-nothing' bout for me. If {when} I win in exciting fashion, everybody will know my name. I need a
Television Bout to get exposure, so people will know who I am."

"I know that I'm a mystery fighter. But not after Monday Night."
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'The Bout'

Both fighters came out 'slow-and-steady', and met at Center-Ring.

For the first {2:25}, there wasn't much going on as both fighters were pawing-and-mauling.

Then suddenly, after a break, Jeff unloaded a long 'powerful' left-hook to Earnie's head at the {2:28 Mark}.
Ernie was badly wobbled.

Jeff immediatley pounced, and then drove Ernie half-way across the Ring with a barrage of punches, and into
a Corner.

With Earnie in bad-shape, Referee - Arthur Mercante tried to move in between the fighters to give Ernie a chance
to get off the Ropes.

But, Jeff moved around the Referee, and unloaded with another 'vicious' left-hook to the head. Ernie then slumped
over, and was 'out-on-his-feet' while leaning on the Ropes.

Referee - Arthur Mercante called the bout over at 2:42 of the Opening Round.