FRAZIER-QUARRY I ; 37 Years Since This Heavyweight Classic

FRAZIER-QUARRY I ; 37 Years Since This Heavyweight Classic





June 23, 1969 at New York's Madison Square Garden Joe Frazier met the
popular Irish Jerry Quarry for the New York State recognized heavyweight
title. Back in the day the New York State Boxing Commission wielded quite a
bit of power. Commissioner Edwin Dooley wasted little time stripping
Muhammad Ali of his heavyweight title when Ali refused induction into the
Armed Forces. The World Boxing Association did the same and they set up a
tournament to determine a new champion. Eight top contenders were selected.
Unbeaten Joe Frazier was one of them. Joe's management declined the
invitation. The eventual winner of the tourney was Jimmy Ellis who defeated
Jerry Quarry in the finals.

The N.Y.S.A.C. offered Frazier a chance to fight Buster Mathis who
like Frazier was undefeated. Mathis had defeated Joe twice in the amateur
ranks. The winner would be the champion in New York and a few other states.
Well Joe met Big Buster and took him out in the eleventh to gain revenge and
also win a piece of the heavyweight title.

Although the talented Jimmy Ellis held the more recognized WBA tilte,
Joe was considered by most as the best active heavyweight. They would
eventually meet to settle their differences.

The bout with Quarry would be considered as a measuring stick between
Joe and Ellis. Frazier had labored through two decision wins over rugged
Oscar Bonavena. In their first ten rounder Oscar had Joe down twice but
Frazier rallied to get the verdict. Their second bout saw Joe and Oscar slug
it out for fifteen tough rounds with Joe again getting the decision. In
between the two Frazier-Bonavena battles Oscar met Jimmy Ellis. In one of
Jimmy's best career performances he floored the granite jawed Bonavena twice
to win a convincing decision. Based on those bouts, Ellis seemed to have an
edge on Joe. In the Quarry bout, Frazier needed to make a statement.

Jerry Quarry was no pushover. He was ranked as on of the five best
heavyweights in the world. He did a number on Mathis just three months
before meeting Joe winning a lopsided twelve rounder. Their were a lot of
people who thought Jerry had a real chance of winning.

The bout itself was non stop action, a real heavyweight slugfest.
Jerry always came to fight and you never had to look for Joe Frazier. Early
in the first round it was toe to toe action. Knowing that both boxers could
bang, the fans were really enjoying this. Each fighter was rocked a bit but
were still standing at the end of a terrific round.

The next two rounds were more of the same as they slugged it out on
the inside. By round four it was becoming apparent the Jerry was fighting
Joe's fight. Frazier began breaking down Jerry who gamely fought back. As
the bout wore on Jerry was cut and he was getting staggered by Joe's famous
left hook.

It ended in seven. Jerry had a severe cut and at this point Joe had
taken command. It was a gruelling fight though and even in losing Jerry won
a ton of respect from this courageous performance.

Jerry Quarry is no longer with us and he was recently joined by his
brother Mike who was a fine boxer in his own right. This was one of my
favorite heavyweight battles. It is hard for me to believe it took place
thirty seven years ago.