Featured Exhibit
An affidavit from Ernest "Ernie" Terrell stating that he is the rightful World Heavyweight Champion and Muhammad Ali cannot use that title.
On loan from Lonnie Ali.
Problems After Problems
Even though the fight narrowly avoided another postponement or flat out cancellation, feelings around the match were no better than they were in Boston. After Malcolm X's assassination and the fire in Muhammad Ali's apartment in February, rumors swirled about the possibility of Ali being a target of an attack. While there was no certainty surrounding these rumors, both Ali and Liston were guarded night and day by their personal body guards, as well as state police. Throughout his training, there was a strong police presence around Ali's camps, though he maintained that he was not afraid. The champ told reporters, "I walk the sterets daily by myself--I have no bodyguards, I fear nobody. If anybody wants me, I'm not hard to find."
In addition to safety concerns, Ali, the fight's promoters, and several closed circuit exhibitors were named in a lawsuit filed by Ernie Terrell, the WBA's Heavyweight Champion. When Ali agreed to a rematch with Liston and the WBA stripped him of the title of champion, the organization staged an elimination tournament to determine a new heavyweight champion. On March 5, 1965, Ernie Terrell defeated Eddie Machen to become the new WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World. Based on this victory, the lawsuit cited misuse of the term "heavyweight championship" in advertising materials related to the Ali vs. Liston rematch in May.
