This Week in Boxing History: February 6-12

February 6, 1967 – Muhammad Ali defeated Ernie Terrell by unanimous decision to retain his world heavyweight title at the Houston Astrodome.

Terrell angered Ali before the bout by referring to him as “Cassius Clay” instead of by his Muslim name. Ali then dominated the 15-round fight and taunted Terrell throughout, asking “What’s my name?’”

February 9, 1974 – Carlos Monzon retained his world middleweight title with a sixth-round stoppage of Jose Napoles in Paris.

Napoles, the world welterweight champion, stepped up in weight to challenge the Argentine champ. Monzon successfully defended his title for the ninth time when Napoles was unable to answer the bell for Round 7.

February 10, 1962 – Cassius Clay stopped Sonny Banks in the fourth round of their non-title heavyweight title fight at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Clay, who would change his name to Muhammad Ali two years later, was knocked down for the first time in his career in Round 1. The future world champion floored Banks in the second round, however, and maintained control of the fight until referee Ruby Goldstein stopped it 26 seconds into Round 4.

February 11, 1949 – Willie Pep beat Sandy Saddler by unanimous decision to reclaim the world featherweight championship at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

In the second of four career meetings between the fighters, Pep avenged his October 1948 title loss to Saddler. The Ring selected the bloody sequel as its Fight of the Year.

Willy Pep (left) gained his lone win over Sandy Saddler in the second of their four career meetings at Madison Square Garden on February 11, 1949.

February 11, 1990 – James “Buster” Douglas knocked out Mike Tyson in the 10th round to win the world heavyweight title in Tokyo.

Douglas, a 42-to-1 underdog, was nearly stopped in Round 8, but he roared back to stun the unbeaten champ and score one of the biggest upsets in boxing history.