04.01.07 – By Jim Amato: Terrell only won slightly more then half of his professional fights, yet he battled five men who held a piece of a world title. He also fought four others that challenged for the heavyweight title. It is fighters like Harry Terrell that brings boxing full circle. They may not be good enough to beat the best but if a boxer entertains thoughts of being a legit contender or even a champion, you’ve got to beat men like Harry Terrell. In my day, they called fighters like Terrell “policemen.” You had to go through them to get to the elite. Boxers like, George “Scrapiron” Johnson, Levi Forte and Terry Hinke among others, fell into this distinction.
Terrell’s professional journey began in 1976. He was 8-3 when he met Earnie Shavers in 1978. Terrell was iced in one. They didn’t name Earnie the “Puncher Of The Century” for nothing. Terrell would rally to win four straight including wins over Lynn Ball ( who beat Ron Lyle ) and Terry Mims ( who beat Leon Spinks ). He would then lose to future title challenger, Big Leroy Jones. He ended 1979 with consecutive KO losses to Mike Weaver and James “Quick” Tillis.
In 1981, Terrell would lose to S.T. Gordon, Tex Cobb and Michael Dokes. Following those losses, Terrell would take six years off and upon his return, he would lose to Reggie Gross, Alex Stewart, Greg Page, Tommy Morrison and Joe Hipp. In 1991, Terrell won the vacant Ohio State heavyweight title, beating Art Card. He would successfully defend that title against Card in a rematch. Terrell would lose the state crown to Bill Melsop. Terrell would lay off again, this time for almost nine years. He had one comeback KO loss in 2001 and called it a day.
Terrell was 18-17-1 with one no contest, surely, not a stellar record. Still, based on the quality of his opposition, you have to give Harry his due.