What's My Name?

6 February 1967

On This Day Muhammad Ali beat Ernie Terrell over 15 rounds while famously taunting his rival saying “What is my name?” in reference to being called Cassius Clay by WBA champion Ernie in the build up to the fight. Whether deliberate or not, Ali was enraged he used what he considered was his slave name.

I'm gonna whoop him until he addresses me by my proper name, Ali told the Press. From round eight onwards, the insults could just about be heard on television. 'What's my name?' Ali shouted at Terrell

Terrell, would later claim he simply called his opponent Clay out of habit, not disrespect.