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

[Bill Paxtom]

Monday ~ April 23, 1973

~ Mike Quarry and Hal Carroll Battle to an 'Even Draw' ~

The Associated Press scored it > {6-4} in Rounds for Hal Carroll

Mike Quarry >
"I kind of felt sluggish in there, and a lot of my punches had no snap. But I felt strong."

"On the low-blow. I should have kept punching until the Referee said stop. I made the
mistake of backing off."

Gil Clancy {Manager for Mike Quarry} >
"When Mike hit him low, he should have kept punching. The Referee didn't say or do
anything for 5-Seconds."

"I know it sounds like bad sportsmanship, but you're supposed to keep hitting your
opponent until the Referee says 'time' or stop."

Gate Receipts ...... { $21,870 }

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ...... 30% of the Gate Receipts { $6560 }
* Hal Carroll ........ { $2500 } Plus Travel and Hotel expenses

p

[Bill Paxtom]

May 1, 1973

~ WBA Ratings ~

*** Bob Foster
#1 . Pierre Fourie
#2 . Victor Galindez
#3 . Mike Quarry
#4 . Chris Finnegan
#5 . Eddie 'Bossman' Jones
#6 . John Conteh
#7 . Andy Kendall
#8 . Jimmy Dupree
#9 . Lonnie Bennett
#10. Rudy Schmidke

Years Later {1977}

Mike Quarry >

I made a bad mistake hooking up with Gil Clancy in 1973.. He forced me to take the bout with
Hal Carroll. I had a bed chest infection, and really had a problem breathing. I caught the infection
from the 'air-circulation system' in my Hotel Room in New York City.

He is OK as a Trainer, but he is not a good Manager. He made a lot of bad decisions. He only
looked at the Fight Purse and his cut {33 1/3 %}. He didn't care about you as a fighter. He looked
at you as a commodity.

I just had that tough bout with Hal Carroll on April 23rd, and then Gil goes ahead and signs me up
to fight in Denmark, against their Middleweight Hero - Tom Bogs.

That 'moron' signed me up to fight on March 10th. I only had a little over 2-Weeks to rest from that
tough bout with 'TNT' Carroll. I was too 'reserved' as to not question his decision on taking the bout
in Denmark.

The only thing that Gil {Clancy} said to me was > "Mike the money is good. And Tom Bogs can't punch hard."

[beenKOed]

Good Stuff ......been KO'd

Ray 'Windmill' White

La Fuente es muy Grande'

White was hard to forget after you saw him in the ring, you never knew what he would do next.

I want to say thanks again for the time you spend fleshing out the ups and downs of fighters from around the world.
Boxing is a tough way to make a living and these guys deserve to be remembered. I appreciate your efforts.

[Bill Paxtom]

Been Ko'd

Much appreciated .... Es muy appreciado'

Ray 'Windmill' White

Is still going strong as a Boxing Coach. A wonderful guy, who enjoys the
'Sport of Boxing'.

A credit to the sport, and the human race.

Ray 'Windmill' White, still going strong {Age; 76} at the KO Boxing Club
in Ventura, California.

[Bill Paxtom]

Thursday ~ May 10, 1973

Brondy Hallen ~ Copenhagen, Denmark

Attendance ........ { 4040 } ....... Capacity { 4500 }
Gate Receipts ...... $38,000 {U.S. Dollars}

* Mike Quarry - 38-1-2 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 174 lbs. {Age; 22 years, 2 months}
vs.
* Tom Bogs - 66-5-1 {24 KO's} ~ 5' 9 1/2" ~ 174 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 6 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry is ranked at #3 WBA and #6 WBC at Light-Heavyweight.

Mike who is under the guidance of Gil Clancy {New York} will be having his '3rd-Bout'
in '37-Days'.

Mike's last bout only 17-Days ago {April 23rd}, was a 'rough-battle' with veteran Hal 'TNT' Carroll.

Tom Bogs is the European Middleweight Champion, and is the #10 WBA Middleweight.

Bogs can no longer make {160 lbs.}, and is moving up to Light-Heavyweight.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Bogs Wins Narrow Decision ~

~ Bogs Outpoints Quarry ~

~ Tom Bogs Scores Unanimous Decision Over Mike Quarry ~

~ Mike Quarry Defeated By European Champ ~

In one of the best bouts seen here in Copenhagen in years took place tonight, as both fighters
displayed excellent technical boxing.

Denmark Hero - Tom Bogs used a 'brilliant' left-jab and rallied strongly over the last 3-Rounds
to win a 'narrow' Unanimous 10-Round Decision over visiting American - Mike Quarry.

Both fighters weighed in at {174 lbs.}, but Quarry was the harder-hitter over the first 3-Rounds,
as he went after Bogs with a hard-assault, by dishing in left-hooks and uppercuts in an attempt
to end the bout early.

Quarry also 'nicked' Bogs over his left-eye with a left-hook in Round 2. But the Denmark Hero held
his own over the first 3-Rounds, and started to 'dish-out' with his own solid punches in Round 4.

In Round 5, the action got heated inside, and Quarry 'head-butted' Bogs, opening the cut over his
left-eye. The Referee - Herber Tomser 'warned' the American for illegal use of the head.

In Round 6, Bogs went after Quarry fast, and slammed in several 'hard' right-hands into the
American's face, which opened a cut on Quarry's left eye-brow.

In the best Round of the night {Round 7}, both fighters went at it 'tooth-and-nail', slamming each
other with their best power-punches. In a 'critical moment', Quarry accidentally head-butted Bogs
over his left-eye again, causing the 'cut' to open and to start bleeding again.

The Referee halted the action, to check out the cut, but he let the bout go on. From that point,
Bogs moved in close and used his fast left-jabs and movement to detour Quarry's attack.

Quarry was warned 'several times' over the last 4-Rounds for illegal-use of his head {butting}.

Scorecards
* 6-4-0 > {Tom Bogs}
* 5-4-1 > {Tom Bogs}
* 5-4-1 > {Tom Bogs}

The Associated Press scored the bout {5-4-1} for Tom Bogs.

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ...... $18,000 {U.S Dollars} {Plus Travel and Hotel Expenses}
* Tom Bogs ......... $10,000 {U.S. Dollars}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After Bout Comments

Mike Quarry >
"He was very fast and is a well-moving fighter. I thought that the bout could have been ruled
a Draw. It was real close."

"I would like another go at him. I know that I can beat him."

[Bill Paxtom]

June 10, 1973

Mike Quarry >

"I guess I'm a full-time Professional fighter. I fight over here, then I fight over there.
I make a very good living, but I'm sore all the time."

"I'm only 22 years-old, but I'm starting to get worn down. That shouldn't be happening
to a 22 year-old. I should be getting stronger, not weaker. I'm not sure what's happening
to my body."

"I know what the other Managers tell their fighters. We'll get Mike Quarry, because he
has a name, and was the #2 Light-Heavyweight last year. He'll look good on your record,
and he's not that tough of an opponent."

"Well, I'm no push-over. I can beat most {90%} the guys in the Top 20, and give the
other ones a good fight."

"Look at my record, I've only lost 'twice in '42-bouts', and one was to the Champion -
Bob Foster. They still won't give me credit for all the good work I've done in going
38-2-2."

"Yea, I'm a 'full-time' Professional fighter. Fighting all the time. I hope I get a chance to
enjoy life someday. Man, am I sore."

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ July 21, 1973

Felt Forum ~ New York City, New York

Attendance ........ { 3835 } ..... Capacity 4500

* Televised on ABC-TV 'Wide World of Sports'
* American Light-Heavyweight Championship

* Mike Quarry - 38-2-2 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 173 1/2 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 4 months}
vs.
* Billy Wagner - 32-5-1 {22 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 171 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years 4 months}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

A battle between 'Irish' Mike Quarry and Billy 'Irish Kelly' Wagner for the American Light-Heavyweight
Championship.

For the first time since late-1971, Mike Quarry is 'not' ranked in the Top 10 of the WBA, as Mike
has dropped down to #12 WBA.

Billy Wagner {from Cleveland} is a tough and gritty 'club-fighter'. The 5-year Professional has won
'6-Straight' and is ranked as the #14 WBC Light-Heavyweight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Quarry Gains Draw With Wagner ~

Mike Quarry had to overcome a badly 'cut' left-eye in Round 4, and Billy Wagner's steady stiff left-jabs,
to rally over the last 3-Rounds to earn a 'Draw' in the 12-Round bout for the American Light-Heavyweight
Championship.

Cleveland-based ~ Billy Wagner using a 2" Height and 3" Reach advantage got off to good start, and took
the first 3-Rounds by slamming in steady left-jabs into the face of Quarry.

Wagner also had a very good start in Round 4 as he 'shook' Quarry with a 'hard' left-hook and right-hand
tot head. This set a 'fire' under Quarry as he then went 'toe-to-toe' with Wagner, as both slammed punches
on each other in wild-exchanges in an exciting slug-fest.

At the {2:10 Mark}, Quarry came out of an exchange with a badly cut left eye-brow.

But not to be discouraged, Quarry then tore into Wagner with a 'vicious' flurry of left-hooks and upper-cuts,
and staggered Wagner 'twice' at the end of the Round, to take the session on the Scorecards. Both
fighters were wailing away at each other at the Bell.

Quarry also got the better of the exchanges in Rounds 5 and 6, as he was able to move in close, and swing
from inside. The action was a bit 'rough' in close, as heads were banging.

Both fighters continued to exchange with good punches during the middle-Rounds, but Wagner appeared
to have the slight-edge in Rounds {7, 8 and 9} as he continued to spear Quarry with left-hands from
long-range to keep him at bay.

Quarry, who was having difficulty reaching the taller Wagner from 'long-range' and moved in close over the
last 3-Rounds, as he out-worked the 'tiring' Cleveland fighter down the stretch to gain a Draw.

Scorecards
* Referee - Pete Delia ....... {6-5-1} > Billy Wagner
* Judge - Joe Eppy ........... {8-4-0} > Mike Quarry
* Judge - Bernie Friedkin .. {6-6-0} > 'Even'

* The Associated Press scored it {6-5-1} for Billy Wagner

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ...... $20,000
* Billy Wagner ..... $12,000

~ After Bout Comments ~

Mike Quarry >
"It was a head-butt that caused the cut over my left-eye in Round 4, not a punch. He must have
'butted' me 15-Times. That's the most that I have ever been 'butted' in my entire life."

"It was a good fight, and neither one of us can claim a win. A 'Draw' is a fair call. Billy said that
to me after they read the Official's Scorecards."

Mike Quarry required '8-stitches' to sew up his cut.

Billy Wagner suffered 'several' nicks near the corner of his right-eye.

Billy Wagner >
"It was a good fight. I thought I did enough over the first 9-Rounds to get the win. But Mike came
back at the end, because he's a World Class fighter."

"I shook him up a couple of times, and he returned the favor. The Matchmaker {Teddy Brenner} said
he'd bring us back in 3-Months to do it again. I'll take that deal."

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ October 3, 1973

Sports Arena ~ Orlando, Florida

Attendance ........ 2311 ...... Capacity { 9500 }
Gate Receipts ... $13,172

* Mike Quarry - 38-2-3 {12 KO's} ~ 175 lbs. ~ 5' 11" ~ {Age; 22 years, 7 months}
vs.
* Andy Kendall - 42-12-8 {18 KO's} ~ 170 lbs. ~ 5' 10 1/2" ~ {Age; 34 years, 10 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry is back down in Orlando, Florida > and is back with Pete Ashlock. Mike is
desperate for a 'win', as he has dropped to #14 WBA and out of Ring Magazine's Top 15
Light-Heavyweights.

Mike has gone {0-1-2} in his last 3-Bouts, and is now being labeled as a 'fringe contender'.

Andy Kendall of Portland, Oregon is called 'The Scappoose Express'. The 11-year veteran
is winding down his career, and has gone {1-4-0} in his last '5-Bouts' over the past 7-Months.

Andy and Mike had fought 2 1/2 years earlier back in January 1971, where Mike edged out Andy
by a 'controversial' 10-Round Split-Decision.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Mike Quarry 'Upset', Loses Decision To Andy Kendall ~

~ Andy Kendall Defeats Mike Quarry ~

Mike Quarry suffered another 'set-back' last night as he was out-worked by Oregon-verteran
Andy Kendall, and lost a 10-Round Majority Decision.

Quarry came out fast during the first 2-Rounds, and went all-out, by punching 'non-stop',
with no regard for pacing himself, as he unloaded with flurry-after-flurry on Kendall, who was
backed into the Ropes.

But, Kendall did counter well with short right-hands while on the Ropes, and did open a 'cut' over
Quarry's left-eye near the end of Round 2.

The 'cut' seemed to take all the steam out of Mike, as he came out for Round 3 with no charge.

Andy then took advantage, and moved in on Mike during Round 3, and beat a steady-flow of
short-lefts and straight right-hands into Quarry's face, and continued with that attack in Round 4
as well.

In Round 5, a frustrated Quarry started to use his head and elbows, and opened up a cut on
Andy's face, forcing Referee - Dave O'Hanlon to 'deduct' 1-Point from the foul-prone Quarry.

That 'point-deduction' discouraged Quarry who then fought sporadically and with little interest.
Andy Kendall seized the opportunity, and went to work on Quarry with a steady-flow of short
punches during Rounds 6, 7 and 8.

Badly behind on Points after {8-Rounds}, Quarry made a late-charge in Rounds 9 and 10, as
he scored with left-hooks and quick 'one-two' flurries on the now 'defensive-minded' veteran,
but it was too little and too late.

Scorecards
* 47-45 > Andy Kendall
* 46-44 > Andy Kendall
* 46-46 > 'Even'

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ........... $4610 > {35% of the Gate Receipts}
* Andy Kendall .......... $2500 > {Plus Travel and Hotel Expenses}

Mike Quarry >
"I fought a stupid fight. I punched myself out over the first 2-Rounds. I have no idea of what I
was thinking in there. Just stupid."

Andy Kendall >
"I just let Mike wail away until he got tired at the end of Round 2. Then I just 'pop-shot'
him. He kept walking in, and he was there to be hit. He had nothing on his punches from
the 3rd-Round on."

"Once the Referee {David O'Hanlon} took a point away from him in Round 5 {for using his elbow},
I knew the bout was mine to win."

[Bill Paxtom]

October 10, 1973

~ Mike Quarry's Boxing Career Off The Tracks For Now ~

Only a little over a year ago, 'Irish' Mike Quarry was undefeated and the World's
#2 Light-Heavyweight.

After a brutal-loss to Champion - Bob Foster in June 27, 1972 > Mike has been searching
for the 'tools' that made him a World Title Challenger.

Since that loss, which dropped Quarry {Age 21 years, 3 months} to 35-1-0, Mike has been
trying to pick up the pieces.

Since coming back in December 1972 > Mike has floundered by going 3-2-3 in '8-Bouts'
over the past 9-Months.

Mike Quarry >
"After the loss {L KO 4} to Bob Foster, all the Boxing Writers doubted my ability. They wrote
some not very nice things about me. Everything from being an over-rated Club-Fighter, to a
built-up Challenger with a list of 'Marshmallow-like' opponents filling my win record."

"I needed to take 5-Months off after the Bob Foster bout. That worked great, as a I met a
beautiful girl {Ticia DeDora} in November 1972. We got married on February 20, 1973.
We were able to have a have Honeymoon in Lake Tahoe, Nevada as I took a break from
Boxing for a few weeks. And, we bought a home in San Luis Obispo, California."



"My spiritual-mind is fine. But, I still have to realize my profession as a {Professional Boxer},
and have to improve my performances in the Ring if I want to get back to my previous Ranking.
That is where I can make 'big' money, as opposed to making a 'good living'."

[Bill Paxtom]

"You know. I have been following this thread. It is very good, if I might say."

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ November 13, 1973

Empire Pool ~ Wembley, London, United Kingdom

* Mike Quarry - 38-3-3 {12 KO's} ~ 5' 11' ~ 172 lbs. ~ {Age; 22 years, 8 months}
vs.
* Chris Finnegan - 25-5-1 {16 KO's} ~ 6' 0 1/2" ~ 174 lbs. {Age; 29 years, 5 months}
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry will travel across 'the pond' for the first time in his career, to take on former
British and Commonwealth Light-Heavyweight Champion - Chris Finnegan.

Mike is now being labeled a 'fringe contender', as he has slipped down in the ratings after
going {3-2-3} in his previous 8-Bouts.

Chris Finnegan, an experienced sharp-shouting 'southpaw' > will have height, reach and
power over his American opponent.

Chris last fought 5 1/2 Months earlier {May 22, 1973}, where he lost a 15-Round Decision
to John Conteh for the European Light-Heavyweight Championship.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ November 13, 1973

Empire Pool ~ Wembley, London, United Kingdom

Attendance .... 9000 ..... Capacity { 10,300 }

~ Finnegan Easy Points Victory Over Quarry ~

~ Mike Quarry Bows To Brit In England ~

The 'slide' of Mike Quarry continues, as the American was handily beaten by British
Light-Heavyweight - Chris Finnegan over 10-Rounds at the Empire Pool in London, England.

The 'southpaw-stance' of Finnegan baffled Quarry all night, as the visiting American was
kept backing away all night.

In a 'hectic' Round 3, Finnegan 'jarred' Quarry with 'repeated' left-hand leads to the head.
Very late in the Round, Quarry attempted to come in low to tackle Finnegan, but the Brit slid
to his right, and pushed Quarry to the canvas.

This moved seemed to infuriate Quarry, who got up and went after Finnegan, as the Bell sounded
ending the Round. Quarry then hit Finnegan with '3-Punches after the Round ended.

Referee - Roland Dakin took a 'point' away from Quarry for the intentional foul.

Chris Finnegan continued to 'befuddle' Round after Round, by scoring with right-jabs and
'jarring' straight left-hands into Quarry's head.

Quarry also went down in Rounds 5 and 6, as a result of coming in low and getting both
hit-and-pushed, where they were considered 'flash-knockdowns'.

During both visits to the canvas, Quarry never looked like he was staying down for the
'full-count'.

Finnegan continued to give a 'fine display' of Boxing, as he kept Quarry backing up for
nearly all 30-Minutes, and looking to cover up.

Quarry's only success was during the second-half of Round 10, as he went after Finnegan
with several flurries, and opened a small-cut over Finnegan's right eye-brow when he caught
the Brit with a good left-hook.

Other than that, Finnegan was clearly dominant.

Sole Scoring Scorecard
Referee - Roland Dakin ...... 100-97 > {Chris Finnegan}

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ......... $12,000 {U.S. Dollars} Plus > Travel, Hotel and etc.
* Chris Finnegan ..... $14,000 {U.S. Dollars}

After Bout Comments

Mike Quarry >
"Maybe I better think about another profession. That southpaw-stance gave me problems
all night long. Chris is a sharp-puncher."

"The money was good, that's why I took the fight. It was too good to turn down. The Promoter
{Harry Levene} said that he still wants me back here, and that he has a couple of other fights
lined up for me."

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike Quarry

Part 1

~ Discussing his Boxing Career when he was 'managed by' Gil Clancy ~

Gil Clancy took over my career on my 22nd Birthday {March 5, 1973}. At the time my
record was 36-1-1 {11 KO's}, and I was ranked as the #4 WBA Light-Heavyweight.

Gil said to me >
"Your father wants me to get you 'back' to a World Championhip caliber fighter.
I will have you back fighting for the Championship by the end of the year {1973}."

He sounded good, and I listed to everything he said, and never questioned a thing or
decision he made.

I had just gotten married {February 20, 1973}, and had a 10-Day Honeymoon in
Lake Tahoe, Nevada. When I got back to Anaheim California on March 3rd, my father
{Jack} said to me >
"OK Mike. The honeymoon is over. It's time to get back to Boxing. I'm hooking
you up with Gil Clancy."

My father {signed} a Managerial Contract with Gil Clancy. With Gil to take over starting
on April 10, 1973. It was a '6-Month' contract, with another '6-Month' renewal-option.

The deal was, I got 66.66% and Gil got {33.33%}, with Gil providing the Training and
'general expenses'. It sounded OK to me.

But first, I had a 'contract' with Pete Ashlock in Orlando, Florida - for a bout scheduled
for Wednesday- April 4th at the 'Sports Arena'.

On March 30th, I took a flight from Anaheim-to-Orlando. I was able to get in a couple of
days of light-sparring before my bout. Then on April 4th, I took on Tampa 'club-fighter'
Light-Heavyweight - Walter 'The Snake' White.

It was a relatively easy bout, and I won a 10-Round Decision going away. My Fight Purse
was only { $3012 }, but I got to keep all of it.

I stayed in Orlando for 5-Days to relax. Then on April 9th, I took a 'train' up to New York City
to start my 'managerial deal' with Gil Clancy.

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike Quarry

Part 2

~ Discussing his Boxing Career when he was 'managed by' Gil Clancy ~

When I got New York City on April 10th, I had 13-days to get ready for my bout in the Felt Forum
on Monday Night - April 23rd.

Gil had set me up in a decent Hotel, but the 'air-circulation system' was defective, and within a few days
I had a 'chest infection'. Still, I went to Felt Forum in Madison Square Garden to work out with a
few of the sparring-partners that Gil had set up for me. I was hoping that by working out, my chest
would clear up. It didn't, as it got worse.

After a few-days, my chest was 'congested', and I wanted to pull-out of my bout with veteran
Hal 'TNT' Carroll. Hal was a tough guy, and a smart veteran who made you work. He was no walk in
the park. I didn't feel 100%, and I told Gil that maybe 'we should cancel' because of my chest condition.

Gil said to me 'sternly' >
"Bull shit Mike. You're taking this bout because you need to toughen up. Look, it's either 'Shit'
or get off the pot. I got you a purse guarantee of $6500. Are you nuts or something. You can take
this guy. He's tough, but he's slow and telegraph's his punches."

I immediately 'caved in' and said >
"All-right, you're the 'boss' Gil. I'll dig down and fight hard for you."

I went though with the bout. And just like I knew it, I stated to wheeze by the end of the 3rd-Round,
and my lungs were burning. I felt strong, but I had 'no zap' on my punches over the second-half of
the bout.

Hal, who was 'cagey-smart', took advantage of my lack of aggression, and rallied over the last-Rounds
to hold me to a Draw.

Yes, I got a fight purse of $6560. But I had to 'kick' Gil.......{ $2180 bucks. }... I walked away with { $4380 }.

[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.