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

[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}
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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.
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~ 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."