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

[beenKOed]

Man! Tough business! I was thinking of myself at 22, I would have probably been just as gullible and easy to lead as Mike. Maybe not, but you never know.
Interesting and informative as always. Thanks, again.

[Bill Paxtom]

Man! Tough business! I was thinking of myself at 22, I would have probably been just as gullible and easy to lead as Mike. Maybe not, but you never know.
Interesting and informative as always. Thanks, again.

Been Koed,

Take a look at Mike Quarry's {half-year} 1973 schedule that Gil Clancy set up for him.

* April 23, 1973 ............. Hal Carroll ............ Felt Forum, New York City
> Mike battles to a 10-Round Draw with a 'tough' and seasoned veteran.
> Mike fought with a 'chest infection'.
> Mike 'gassed out' down the stretch.
> Result > 'Draw 10'
> Fight Purse ....... $6560

* May 10, 1973 ............. Tom Bogs ............. Copenhagen, Denmark
> Only 17-Days after the tough bout with Hal Carroll, Gil books Mike in a bout against World-Class - Tom Bogs, in Denmark.
> Mike gets his left-eye 'sliced' in Round 5.
> Result > 'L Dec 10'
> Fight Purse ..... $18,000

* July 21, 1973 .............. Andy Kendall ........ Felt Forum, New York City
> Mike fights 'tough' Cleveland-slammer Andy Kendall in a 12-Round bout for the American Light-Heavyweight Championship.
> It was televised by ABC-TV 'Wide World of Sports'
> Again, Mike gets his left-eye sliced in Round 4.
> Mike requires '8-Stitches' on the left eye-brow.
> Result > 'Draw 12'
> Fight Purse .... $20,000

* October 3, 1973 .......... Billy Wagner ......... Orlando, Florida
> Mike is back in Florida, to take on 'faded' but tough veteran Billy Wagner.
> Mike gets 'lumped up' and has his left-eye sliced in Round 2.
> Mike in an 'upset' Decision Loss.
> Result > 'L Majority Dec 10'
> Fight Purse ..... $4610

* November 13, 1973 .... Chris Finnegan ...... London, United Kingdom
> Only 6-Weeks after the 'gruelling' bout with Billy Wagner, Gil books Mike for a bout in London, England.
> Mike is literally embarrassed out of the Ring by Chris Finnegan, and loses a 'one-sided' Decision.
> Result > 'L Dec 10'
> Fight Purse .... $12,000

* November 23, 1973
> Just 10-days after fighting Chris Finnegan in the United Kingdom
> Gil Clancy throws Mike in the Ring as a sparring-partner for older brother Jerry Quarry.
> Jerry is in New York City, preparing for his Friday Night ~ December 14, 1973 bout with Earnie Shavers.
> Gil Clancy was having a hard time getting decent 'sparring-partners' for Jerry, so he uses the younger Quarry as a sparring-mate.
> In the process, Mike gets his 'ribs' bruised up by Jerry's hooks to the body.

> Gil Clancy then tries to put Mike on the undercard of the Jerry Quarry - Earnie Shavers bout.
> Gil wants to match up Mike, with old nemesis - Andy Kendall, for a '3rd-Bout' between the two Light-Heavyweights.

> Mike Quarry has finally had enough, and tells Gil Clancy >
"What are trying to do me Gil. Get me 'killed' before my 23rd Birthday."

> Mike Quarry and Gil Clancy having a falling out, and their contract is terminated on November 30, 1972.

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike Quarry

After 'dumping' Manager - Gil Clancy on November 30th, Mike contacted his old friend
Pete Ashlock in Orlando, Florida.

Mike then 'signed' a deal with him, for Pete to get Mike some 'safe bouts' so that he
could get his name back after the 'disaster' 7-Month deal with Gil Clancy.

First thing Pete Ashlock did, was to tell Mike to unload the 'Irish Mike' moniker.

Pete Ashlock >
"I cant stand that nickname Mike. "Irish Mike" is finished. From now on you're going
by the name of .... 'Rock-n-Roll' Mike Quarry."

Mike Quarry >
"Oh no Pete. Oh Jesus Christ, when my Father {Jack} finds out about this, he's going to kill me."

Pete Ashlock >
"Don't worry about it kid. You're a 'Rock-n-Roll' guy now. Fast and loose. Stick with me, and
I'll make you a lot of money."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Immediately, Pete Ashlock got Mike a 'somewhat' safe bout right away, and for Tuesday -
December 18, 1973 > and in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

First, Mike wanted to stay in New York City to watch his brother Jerry take on the dangerous
punching Earnie Shavers on Friday Night - December 14th at Madison Square Garden.

Pete Ashlock made arrangements for Mike to get a flight out of New York City to Milwaukee
on Sunday ~ December 16th, so he could be in Milwaukee 2-Days before his bout.

Mike also wanted to stay in New York, to do light gym-work and to be ready for the bout
in 2-Weeks.

The deal between Mike and Pete Ashlock was simple. Mike got to keep {70%} and Pete
got {30%} on all bouts outside of Florida. Pete was the Manager, and he booked all the
deals and made the financial arrangements.

In bouts at Pete Ashlock's - Sports Arena in Orlando, Florida > there would be a different
arrangement, depending on the opponent.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ December 18, 1973

Eagles Club ~ Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Promoter ........... Harry Simos
Attendance ........ 1823 .....{ 'Sell-Out' }
Gate Receipts .... $14,300

* Mike Quarry - 38-4-3 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 176 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 9 months}
vs.
* Karl Zurheide - 42-12-4 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {Age; 30 years, 10 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mike Quarry is introduced as 'Rock-n-Roll' Mike Quarry. Mike is now ranked as the #3 American
Light-Heavyweight, but is #15 Ring Magazine.

Karl Zurheide {'The Scappoose Express'} is a popular Wisconsin Light-Heavyweight. The 9-Year
Professional always puts on a good show for the fans, as he is a 'fighter'.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Mike Quarry Tops Karl Zurheide In Close Bout ~

Mike Quarry had to finish strong over the last 3-Rounds to earn a 'close' 10-Round Decision win
over veteran Karl Zurheide last night.

The 22 1/2 year-old Quarry got off to a slow start in the bout, as Karl Zurheide was effective as
he 'counter-punched' Quarry throughout the first 5-Rounds, as well as displaying a good defense.

But as Zurheide moved in close during the middle-Rounds, Quarry was able to take advantage of his
speed as he scored with quick-combinations into Zurheide's face, forcing the Wisconsin-based local
to cover up or hold.

Over the last 3-Rounds, Zurheide attempted to move inside and maul Quarry. But the quick boxer
was able to score with fast left-jabs and left hooks into Zurheide's head.

Scorecards
* Referee - Milt Rickum ........ 97-96 > {4-3-3} > Mike Quarry
* Judge - Howard Wahlen .... 97-95 > {5-3-2} > Mike Quarry
* Judge - Rick Baman .......... 98-95 > {5-2-3} > Mike Quarry

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ....... $4500 {Plus Travel and Hotel Expenses}
* Karl Zurheide ..... $3000

~ After Bout Comments ~

Mike Quarry >
"I wanted to pace myself early. I knew that I could handle Karl. He's a good defensive fighter,
but he sure hung on a lot. He should have punched more, if he wanted to win. You can't win on
defense alone."

"I was in control of the bout, as I landed the cleaner punches down the stretch when the bout
was on the line. I'll give him another shot. I'll come back here next year {1974}."

Karl Zurheide >
"I honestly thought that I won. I want another shot at him, Hell yes."

"He threw a lot of punches, but he missed with most of them. A lot of 'flash' and no power. The
punches that I landed were 'jolting' blows."

Matt Baulie {Manager for Karl Zurheide} >
"It was close. Quarry threw a lot of punches, but he had nothing on them. Karl had the edge during
the first-half, and Quarry had the edge in the second-half. It was a {1-Point} difference. Somebody
had to win I guess."

[Bill Paxtom]

January 1974

Mike Quarry

1974 ended on a good note, as I won my last fight {December 18th} over Karl Zurheide.

My record was 39-4-3 {12 KO's}, but I had fallen out of the Top 10, down to #16.

I was out to prove the 'Boxing Critics' wrong, and was set to be the best I could
in getting back to the Top.

My Manager {Pete Ashlock} said that we should pick up a few 'safe opponents' to
get on a winning-streak going, so we could get back into the Top 10.

My old 'Trainer' {Frank Brazell} was back with me now. And Pete was busy lining
up a few bouts for February 1974.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ February 5, 1974

Fairgrounds Arena ~ Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Attendance ............. 2366
Gate Receipts ....... $14,300

Promoter .............. Pat O'Grady

* Mike Quarry - 39-4-3 {12 KO's} ~ 178 lbs. ~ 5' 11" ~ Reach; 71" ~ {Age; 22 years, 11 months}
vs.
* Brian Kelly - 45-10-0 {26 KO's} ~ 174 lbs. ~ 5' 10" ~ Reach; 72" ~ {Age; 33 years, 11 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

"Rock-n-Roll' Mike Quarry travels to the Southwest, for a 'warm-up' bout against
veteran Oklahoman - 'American' Brian Kelly.

Mike and Trainer {Frank Brazell} drive from Anaheim, California on Saturday {February 2nd}
to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Brian Kelly was one 'Hell' of an Amateur, and was a pretty decent Light-Heavyweight.

Though labeled as a 'Southwest Fighter', Brian was coming into the bout riding a '6-Bout'
winning streak.

Brian, like Mike Quarry, was also 'Knocked Out' by Bob Foster in a previous World Championship
bout.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Quarry Scores Decision, Jabs Way To Win ~

Former World-Rated Light-Heavyweight - Mike Quarry used an 'accurate' left-jab to cruise to an
easy 10-Round Decision over veteran - Brian Kelly.

Quarry picked up the pace in Round 2, and poked Brian Kelly with repeated left-jabs to the face.

The hard-punching Oklahoman never was able to get close enough to land any of his power
punches, and was forced to back up when he traded with the younger and faster boxer.

Scorecards
* 99-91
* 99-91
* 99-92

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ....... $4000 ~ {Plus [$150] in Travel Expenses, and 3-Day Hotel Stay}
* Brian Kelly ......... $2000

~ After Bout Comments ~

Mike Quarry >
"It was a good 10-Rounder. I was just too fast for Brian. He {was} a good fighter."

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ February 6, 1974

Albuquerque, New Mexico

~ Mike Quarry To Arrive Today ~

~ Mike Quarry To Fight In Albuquerque ~

Former World Light-Heavyweight Challenger - Mike Quarry will arrive today to begin
training for his bout with Bobby Rascon next week {Friday - February 15th}.

Mike Quarry {Age; 22 years, 11 months} now goes by the nickname of 'Rock-n-Roll'.

Quarry, who had a 'rough' 1973, has won his last '2-Bouts' and hopes a victory over the
local Bobby Rascon will move him 'one-step' closer towards a rematch with World Champion -
Bob Foster.

Quarry is arriving from Oklahoma City, where he fought last night in winning a 'solid' 10-Round
Decision over Brian Kelly.

Bob Foster will also be on this Fight-Card, as he will box a 3-Round Exhibition with Fred Wallace,
a Light-Heavyweight from Dallas, Texas.

The bout, to be held at the Civic Auditorium will be promoted by Paul Chavez, and an expected
crowd of 2500 is anticipated.