Mike Quarry ~ Forced To Fight On By Father ~ 'Road To Palookaville'

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike Quarry

~ Part I ~

July 1972

Following the 'brutal loss' {L KO 4} at the hands of World Light-Heavyweight Champion
Bob Foster on June 27, 1972 in Las Vegas.

Mike, only at {Age; 21 years, 4 months} wanted to end his career of Boxing, and go back
to school to get a College Degree.

Though his record was impressive at 35-1-0 {11 KO's}, Mike's style was not really built
to absorb punishment. And the grueling days of sparring and training were already taking
their toll on the young Light-Heavyweight.

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike Quarry

Prior to 'challenging' Light-Heavyweight Champion - Bob Foster on June 27, 1972.

Young Mike had gone 'unbeaten' in 35-Bouts, and earned his way to the #2 WBA-ranking
along the way.

But, in his 3-Year career of '35-wins', Mike's ledger was loaded with victories over a slew
of 2nd-Rate fighters, Club-fighters and worn-out Trial-Horses.

Not only that, in those '35-wins, '9' of those bouts went to a Majority or Split Decision.

In fact, Mike's most important win was a 'highly-controversial' {5-Round Technical Decision}
over 34 1/2 year-old Jimmy 'The Cat' Dupree on October 29, 1971 > which was for the
NABF Light-Heavyweight Championship.

While the 'Quarry Camp' {Father - Jack} felt that Mike was ready for the lanky but vicious
punching Bob Foster, those in the know at the Main Street Boxing Gym in Los Angeles said >

> "Mike is not ready yet."
> "The kid is not in Bob Foster's league."
> "The Father is going to get that kid killed."
> "They're rushing this kid. He needs another year at least."
> "Mike is a glorified preliminary fighter with a built up record.'

Still, Jack Quarry was willing to take the risk, and put his son {Age; 21 years, 3 months} into
the Ring with arguably, the 'hardest-hitting' Light-Heavyweight ever.

Jack Quarry >

"I'm getting criticized by everyone. I know what I'm doing with my kid. He knows how to
fight, and he's one clever boxer. He's too fast for Foster, who in my mind is 'shot' and
over-rated. He has no legs left. Once Mike starts to push him in the later Rounds, he'll fold
up like a 'cheap lawn chair'. Mark my words."

"Look Foster is good, but he's got age on him {34 years, 2 months}. Guys like him, 'tall and
lanky' loose their legs when they get that old. He's dangerous for only 4 or 5 Rounds, and
then after that, he's a regular fighter."

"I'm not saying that Mike will win by a Knockout, because he's a boxer, not a puncher or
slugger. But I won't be surprised if Mike is standing over him late in the bout, looking down
on that 'tall-glass-of-water' getting counted out."

[Bill Paxtom]

Chuck Hamilton {Sparring-partner for Mike Quarry}

I thought that Bob Foster killed Mike that night at the Convention Center in Las Vegas.
That 'left-hook' that Bob caught Mike with, would have flattened most Heavyweights.

It sounded like it went through Mike's jaw. Like a 'sledge-hammer' smashing a bone.
Just frightening.

Mike hit the canvas hard, and was laid out for 3-Minutes. I was really scared that he
wouldn't get up. When they got him back to the Corner, he sat on the stool for nearly
10-Minutes. He had no sense of where he was.

Back in the dressing-room, he was still 'in-a-fog', 30-Mintes after the bout. They didn't
even have good Medical people there to check him out. I felt so bad for Mike. He felt
that he let everybody down back home in Anaheim, California.

When I was alone with him, I told him that he should retire. He was a smart kid. I told
him to take his Fight Purse { $45,000 } and put it in the bank.

And I said > "Mike, go to College and get a Degree in Business."

But he just gazed at me and said > "But my Father wants me to be a Champion. He
would be upset if I gave up Boxing."

I just looked at the floor and shook my head. I knew that the kid would end up in
a bad way if he continued.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ December 12, 1972

Auditorium ~ Miami Beach, Florida

Attendance ........... 2811
Gate Receipts ...... $21,350

* Mike Quarry - 35-1-0 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 181 lbs. ~ {Age; 21 years, 9 months}
vs.
* Frank Evans - 20-11-0 {15 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {Age; 24 years, 3 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5 1/2 months after the 'disaster' loss {L KO 4} to Bob Foster, Mike is back in the Ring
in Florida.

Mike, who had been ranked as the #2 WBA Light-Heavyweight back in June, had dropped
to #5 WBA.

Mike, who had entered Junior College in September 1972, had taken a short break, to
get a 'pick-up' bout in Miami Beach, which was promoted by Chris Dundee.

The opponent for Mike, was 24 year-old Frank Evans. Frank who was the Texas State
Light-Heavyweight Champion could punch a little, but was regarded as a 'safe opponent'
for Mike, as he did not have the 'good' boxing skills that Mike had.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Mike Quarry Threatens To Retire After 'Draw' Decision ~

Mike Quarry and Frank Evans battled to a 'controversial' 10-Round Draw at the Miami Beach
Auditorium tonight.

During the reading of the scores by the Ring Announcer, Mike Quarry 'bolted' from the Ring and
headed back to his dressing room in disgust.

As for the bout, Quarry had a solid 1st-Round, and cut Frank Evans around the left-eye. From that
point on, the Texas Light-Heavyweight fought the rest of the bout protecting the eye-cut by keeping
his hands high.

Surprisingly, a young Quarry was reluctant to take advantage of his opponents damaged {cut-eye},
and fought with hesitation in too many Rounds. This allowed Evans to take risks by coming forward
with clubbing punches, and then mauling Quarry with both arms.

At the end of the 10th Round, a 'dejected' Quarry was uncontrollable, as he was rambling loudly and
criticizing himself for a 'poor' performance. Then, he bolted from the Ring and ran back to his dressing
room.

Scorecards
* Referee - Eddie Eckhart ...... 46-46 {4-4-2} > 'Even'
* Judge - Barry Pearlman ....... 47-45 {5-3-2} > Frank Evans
* Judge - Bully Lovett ............ 48-46 {4-2-4} > Mike Quarry

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ........ $4000 {Plus Travel and Hotel Expenses}
* Frank Evans ........ $700 {Plus $100 Travel Expenses and 1-Day Hotel Stay}

~ After Bout Skinny ~

Mike Quarry was 'uncontrollable' back in the dressing room, as he was 'sobbing' and talking to himself.

Trainer - Frank Brazell attempted to console Mike by telling him > "Forget Mike. It's a nothing fight."

Mike Quarry >
"I thought that I won every Round, except for the 9th and 10th. I let him take those '2' Rounds because
I was so far ahead. I have no idea what that 'one' Judge and Referee were watching."

"All that I have put into my career. Boxing is 'too dirty' for me. I'm going to retire, and go back to school
{College} in California. That was my last fight {crying}. We {Quarry's} can never get a break in this business.
All I wanted was a fair Decision. I want the Miami Beach Boxing Commission to reverse this 'bad' Decision
and change it to a 'No Contest'."

"It was his style. He {Frank Evans} had big-feet, and he kept them wide apart like a Crab. I couldn't get
inside and work his body. I was so sure that I could have taken him out in any Round that I wanted to.
But, he was so awkward in there. But still, I thought I won '8 of 10' Rounds."

Frank Evans >
"I felt that I won it, all the way. I'm not happy with the Draw either. He {Mike Quarry} did nothing
after the 3rd-Round. Nothing but 'pitty-pat' amateur punching. That doesn't cut it down here in the South."

Dean Manchaca {Manager for Frank Evans} >
"They got us here for { $700 }. Now for the rematch, we want { $3500 }."

"Look, my guy {Frank Evans} is a much better fighter now than before. He has won '11 of 13' in the past
year. Now, we're looking for a Top 20 ranking."

[Beanflicker]

What a fucking weirdo. Making up history and quotes that nobody gives a shit about or reads except you. Awful lonely in here...

SMH

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike Quarry

Looked up to his older brother Jerry. So much so, that Mike would only have Jerry as
his Trainer.

Jerry made his little brother 'a technically efficient boxer'.

[beenKOed]

What a fucking weirdo. Making up history and quotes that nobody gives a shit about or reads except you. Awful lonely in here...

SMH

I'm reading it. You're reading it. Fact! As Fenster would say.

[beenKOed]

Chuck Hamilton {Sparring-partner for Mike Quarry}

I thought that Bob Foster killed Mike that night at the Convention Center in Las Vegas.
That 'left-hook' that Bob caught Mike with, would have flattened most Heavyweights.

It sounded like it went through Mike's jaw. Like a 'sledge-hammer' smashing a bone.
Just frightening.

Mike hit the canvas hard, and was laid out for 3-Minutes. I was really scared that he
wouldn't get up. When they got him back to the Corner, he sat on the stool for nearly
10-Minutes. He had no sense of where he was.

Back in the dressing-room, he was still 'in-a-fog', 30-Mintes after the bout. They didn't
even have good Medical people there to check him out. I felt so bad for Mike. He felt
that he let everybody down back home in Anaheim, California.

When I was alone with him, I told him that he should retire. He was a smart kid. I told
him to take his Fight Purse { $45,000 } and put it in the bank.

And I said > "Mike, go to College and get a Degree in Business."

But he just gazed at me and said > "But my Father wants me to be a Champion. He
would be upset if I gave up Boxing."

I just looked at the floor and shook my head. I knew that the kid would end up in
a bad way if he continued.

I remember the punch, Foster had a monster left hook.
When Jerry came through the ropes to help his brother, it looked like he was going to go after Foster first, for a second.

[erics44]

and my sons guinea pig has just died and im feeling a bit sad, so this thread has sent me over the edge

its a shame about the quarrys

i love boxing but i am keeping my kids well away from it

no matter what anyone says, being punched in the head repeatedly at any level cant be good for you and must have some sort of affect

[Bill Paxtom]

Before that bout with Bob Foster.

Mike Quarry was making all sorts of 'bold predictions', like >
> That he was going to knock Bob Foster out.
> Send him out of the Ring flying thru the Ropes.
> Break that 'reed' in half.

Mike came into the Ring as a {6-1} 'Underdog', but Mike was very confident and 'cocky'.

Mike held his own for 3-Rounds, and actually won Round 3 on Judge - Art Lurie's Scorecard {5-4}.

In the corner after Round 3, Mike was laughing with his corner-people, and could be
overhead saying > "This is fun."

Then at the end of Round 4 ........ 'BOOOM' > The lights went out.

[greynotsoold]

Jerry Quarry was real hard on two sparring partners at the Main St gym. One was Ken Norton; KO'd him once with a right and once with a hook to the liver.
The other was Mike Quarry. He would smash him. Jerry fought for awhile with a bad back. He hurt it fighting in a bar when Mike tackled him into a jukebox.

[Ron Swanson]

This thread makes no sense. How can he both need more time to work on his craft and at the same time be in decline from his mini wars and hard sparring. It can not be both.

[Bill Paxtom]

This thread makes no sense. How can he both need more time to work on his craft and at the same time be in decline from his mini wars and hard sparring. It can not be both.

Good Assessment >

If you followed anything about Mike Quarry, you would realize that the 'worst' thing about
his Boxing, was that he failed to develop a tight defense.

Too many bouts against 'light-hitting' opponents gave Mike the false sense the he could take a punch.

And the Gym Wars with 'big-gloves' didn't help either.

By early-1973 > Jack Quarry shipped his son {Mike} 'East' to Pete Ashlock in Orlando, Florida.

And it wasn't to improve his defense. It was to get Mike a lot of fights at $4000 to $5000 per pop,
because he had a 'name'.

It was too late to change him. As early as 1974 {Age; 23 1/2} Mike already looked shop-worn,
and had lost his fresh-face good looks.

{1968} ~ The Little Quarry Who Could ~

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ January 29, 1973

~ Mike Quarry Decisions 'Windmill' White ~

~ Mike Quarry Wins ~



Mike Quarry was in control throughout the early Rounds, and worked his way inside the taller Ray White.
The World-Rated Light-Heavyweight hammered his 'tall opponent' with left-hooks to the body.

But during the middle-Rounds, the Ventura-based fighter kept Quarry off-balance by jabbing away with
long-looping left-hands.

Quarry, at {5' 11"} and fighting with a {5"} height disadvantage, tried to work his way inside and hammer
the lanky 'full-time' Carpenter with left-hooks to the body. And several times, Ray White folded over like a
'Tent' in a heavy wind.

But though Quarry controlled the first 5-Rounds, he had to take numerous left-hands to the face from his
taller opponent during the middle-Rounds.

Quarry's face was very 'puffy' by the middle of Round 9, and the local Anaheim boxer had the look of
frustration in his face after taking several long right-hand counters to his right-eye.

In a 'wild' Round 10 > Mike Quarry came in low and hit 'Windmill' with several border-line blows. In retaliation,
White 'bit' Quarry on his shoulder when they were in close.

To counter that, Quarry then thumbed White in his right-eye.

After seeing the 'fouling', Referee - Chuck Hasset moved in and told both fighters >
"Hey, I'm not going to put up with any more of this Shit."

But, the Anaheim-based youngster re-grouped and had a 'solid' last 2-Rounds to 'nail down' the Decision over
the 'unorthodox' Carpenter from Ventura.

Surprisingly, though Mike Quarry was the local from Anaheim, the 'majority' of the spectators were cheering
for the 'awkward visitor' Ray White.

And the local 'Press Corps' sided with the Ventura-visitor, as he had an entertaining-style. As Mike's style
does not make him a favorite with the fans.

Scorecards
* Referee - Chuck Hassett ...... {8-3} > Mike Quarry
* Judge - Eddie Fiero ............. {7-3} > Mike Quarry
* Judge - John Thomas .......... {6-4} > Mike Quarry

* Independent Press-Telegram {7-5} > Mike Quarry

Promoter .................................. Mickey Davies
Anaheiim Convention Center ...... Capacity > 9500
Attendance ............................... 6805
Gate Receipts .......................... { $45,150 }

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ....... { $8000 Guarantee } > Against 25% of the Gate ...........{ Total = $11,287 }
* Ray White .......... { $3000 Guarantee } + 5% of the Gate { + $2257 }.......{ Total = $5257 }

~ After Bout Comments ~

Mike Quarry >
"He's not a fighter. He's an entertainer."

"He is so tall {6' 4"}, that I couldn't find his chin. I couldn't land anything flush. I got discouraged
because my jabs weren't hurting him."

Ray 'Windmill' White >
"I thought the bout was a 'Draw'. Each time that I wound up, he rushed me and grabbed me.
I had all the 'fun', and I wasted the last 2-Rounds."

"Tell Mike to forget about it. He has 'no chance' at getting the Crown. He's not going anywhere.
He can't hit at all."

"My Manager was putting in a request to fight Bob Foster next. Now that I'm thinking about it,
maybe not."