Muhammad Ali ~ How Did He Do In The 15th Round Of His Bouts ?

[Bill Paxtom]

The 2nd-Time that Cassius Clay visited 'Round 15'.

February 6, 1967 ~ Houston Astrodome

Cassius {Age; 25 years, 0 Months} was at is absolute physical peak,
and strength at 212 lbs.

Ernie Terrell, a string-bean at 6' 6" and 212 lbs., had no punch and was
more 'awkward' then strong.

You would think that Cassius would have wanted to 'Knockout' a fighter who >
* Also had a claim to the Heavyweight Championship {WBA version}
* Beat up Cassius in a 1962 sparring session
* Called him by his 'so-called slave name' Cassius Clay
* Regarded as the #1 Heavyweight by Ring Magazine
* Called Cassius 'bad names' and a labeled him a 'coward'

Yes, Cassius put on a remarkable show, but he gouged Ernie's left-eye with
his laces, and pulled Ernie's head into the Rope Strands and forced his
face into the top rope.

Early in the bout, Cassius also caught Ernie in headlock, and jammed his thumb
into Ernie's left-eye, causing Ernie to have double-vision for the rest of the bout.

Still, Cassius couldn't stagger Ernie, let alone drop him.

With a weakened and eye-damaged 'gangling' fighter in front of him, Cassius
won Round 15, but it was 'nothing special'.

Grade for Cassius ....... C+

This bout 'certified' Cassius Clay as a dirty fighter, unsportsmanlike, and cruel.