Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali goes through the final stages of training for the defense of his title against Ernie Terrell.
Ernie Terrell, a rugged sparring partner, tosses some heavy leather at the champ, forcing him to give ground.
Experts predict that Terrell will prove to be the toughest opponent for Cassius so far.
Clay's draft board says he could be drafted in February, and two appeals for the deferment have already been turned down.
Cassius rattles off a bit of doggerel verse for the challenger, Terrell.
He's gone around claiming to be the real heavyweight champ, but after I'm finished, he'll just be a tramp.
Now, I'm not saying this just to be funny, but I'm fighting Ernie because he needs the money.
Angie Dundee is the manager and trainer for that matter of the heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali, or Cassius Clay, as you will.
A champion is about to spar with a lighter, smaller man, Jimmy Ellis, a light heavyweight really.
And Angie, why Ellis when Terrell is so big?
Well, we have a big man, but we're just working for speed today, and we have a boy named Turnbull who goes six foot five and a half.
Meanwhile, we still got to stay fast.
All right, the boys are going out, and Angie, take the mic, if you will, and call the shots.
Well, you're looking at the same thing, they're both moving for speed now.
In other words, what people are forgetting is one thing, my man's no midget, he's six foot four now, and he uses his height to full advantage.
Is he concentrating on the fight or worried about all the publicity and the problems with the military?
When he comes into the gym, business goes on as usual, that's when he comes into the gym, Angie.
But is he concentrating on other things outside the gym?
He's concentrating on the fight, he knows he's got a tough fight in Terrell, and he wants to be ready for it.
Don't you call me my name, man.
Well, what's your name?
You told me your name was Cassius Clay.
I never told you my name was Cassius Clay.
Well, my name is Muhammad Ali, and you will announce it right there in the center of that ring after the fight if you don't do it now for the benefit of this broadcast.
Him, all right, you just acting just li,ke an old Uncle Tom.
Another flaw, I'm going to punish you.
Let me tell you something, man, you ain't got no back off of me.
Back off, Uncle Tom, that's what you are, an Uncle Tom.
Why you going to call me that?
You heard me.
And so, ladies and gentlemen, as the two contestants prepare for the bout, another interview has been recorded for television.
Gentlemen, that's it, a lot of people have asked about that interview we did together with Terrell coast to coast a week or so ago where you and Terrell almost came to blows.
And many people have said it was a publicity stunt that you staged.
They have a right to believe so, Howard, because many things in the past that I have done were publicity stunts, that's all.
But this time it was serious, and I almost struck him, I did hit him on the hand, and I intended to do so.
Do you hate him?
No, I don't really hate him, but I don't really hate no one, but I don't li,ke him for his actions and the way he was acting and insisted on calling me Cassius Clay knowing that my name is Muhammad Ali.
I'm a Muslim, and whenever this is discussed, it is serious.
I don't play with the religion or the name, so he really made me mad.
That was not play, that was real.
The heavyweight champion of the world, Muhammad Ali, continues his preparation.
You sort of egging them on with what's my name because he kept calling him Cassius, Cassius, Cassius to the press, to the media, and everybody else.
And he'd go, what's my name, pop, what's my name, pop, as he'd be nailing the guy behind the conversation.
Ali continues to scream at Terrell as he applies the leather, and the bell rings.
Ali continues his assault, and they come out for the 15th and final round.
Ali again hammers through the defensive guard of Terrell through 15 grueling rounds, and the champion is still up on his toes and getting through that defensive shell.
Ali drives the gloves back into Terrell's face, while the challenger clutches and grabbing, trying to at least maybe go the distance with the champion.
Ali backs up on those toes, circling and jabbing with total mastery over Terrell.
It is remarkable speed and stamina and agility for a man of this size, just a thorough boxing lesson here for Terrell.
Ali may be taking a bit of a rest, but he comes back hammering away at Terrell, with the challenger holding on for dear life in the remaining seconds of the fight.
Ali has administered a thorough and complete beating of Ernie Terrell, leaving an indelible mark on boxing history.
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