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

[Bill Paxtom]

Full Contact Karate Magazine {August 1976}

Mike Quarry {Front Cover and Feature Article}

This article and photo shoot was done in April 1976, for the August Magazine.



Mike Quarry >
"It is fairly simple. The 'Tournaments" are set up with '8' participants. You have a 'First Round'
match, then a 'Semi-Final] and then the 'Finals'. You have to win both of your preliminary bouts
to reach the Finals. This is all done on the same day."

"You have about 2-Hours between Matches. Everything moves very fast in these Tournaments."

"You go '4' {3-Minute Rounds} And the '3' Judges score the bout on the overall performance. All
hits {strike points} have to be above the belt. Grabs and throws are prohibited. If you do that,
you will get a '2' warnings, before a Point is deducted."

The Tournaments are set up with a { $10,000 } total purse. The Tournament Winner will end up
getting { $5000 }. The runner-up gets { $2500 }. The other { $2500 } is split up between the
other '6' Karate Fighters that were eliminated."

"It is a fast-action series, and they have events every other week. The 'Karate Masters' just signed
a Television Deal, and they plan to have '6' Tournaments televised. They are just getting started,
but 'Full Contact Karate' is growing fast in California. I just may switch careers completely, and give
up on boxing as a Professional."

[beenKOed]

Full Contact Karate Magazine {August 1976}

Mike Quarry {Front Cover and Feature Article}

This article and photo shoot was done in April 1976, for the August Magazine.



Mike Quarry >
"It is fairly simple. The 'Tournaments" are set up with '8' participants. You have a 'First Round'
match, then a 'Semi-Final] and then the 'Finals'. You have to win both of your preliminary bouts
to reach the Finals. This is all done on the same day."

"You have about 2-Hours between Matches. Everything moves very fast in these Tournaments."

"You go '4' {3-Minute Rounds} And the '3' Judges score the bout on the overall performance. All
hits {strike points} have to be above the belt. Grabs and throws are prohibited. If you do that,
you will get a '2' warnings, before a Point is deducted."

The Tournaments are set up with a { $10,000 } total purse. The Tournament Winner will end up
getting { $5000 }. The runner-up gets { $2500 }. The other { $2500 } is split up between the
other '6' Karate Fighters that were eliminated."

"It is a fast-action series, and they have events every other week. The 'Karate Masters' just signed
a Television Deal, and they plan to have '6' Tournaments televised. They are just getting started,
but 'Full Contact Karate' is growing fast in California. I just may switch careers completely, and give
up on boxing as a Professional."

Damn, what a work ethic or maybe he just loved competing. This guy never relaxed!

[Bill Paxtom]

Been KO'ed,

Correct., Mike Quarry was on a 'mission' to burn himself out.

Mike had a total of '7' Full-Contact Karate matches. Here are the results;

* June 21, 1975 ..... Houston, Texas ................. W Disq. 1 ..... Yong-Taek Lee
* April 9, 1976 ....... Los Angeles, California ........ Draw 4 ......... Ray Alegria
* April 17, 1976 ..... Honolulu, Hawaii ............... TKO 2 ...........
* April 17, 1976 ..... Honolulu, Hawaii ................ Draw 4 .........
* April 23, 1976 ..... Los Angeles, California ....... W Dec 4 ......
* April 23, 1976 ..... Los Angeles, California ....... KO 3 ...........
* April 23, 1976 ..... Los Angeles, California ....... L Dec 4

Record ...........7-Bouts ...... 4-1-2 {2 KO's}

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After a few 'Full-Contact Karate' tournaments, Mike decided to return to Professional
Boxing, but Mike still 'dabbled' in Karate in the mean-time.

In very late-April 1976,

Mike signed a deal with Fight-Promoter - Paul Chavez out of New Mexico to come back
in early-May for a bout in Albuquerque.

[Bill Paxtom]

Saturday ~ May 8, 1976

Albuquerque, New Mexico

~ Mike Quarry Returns To Ring After Long Lay-Off ~

Mike Quarry {Age; 25 years, 2 months} will return the Boxing Ring after a 7-Month lay-off.

Mike who took time of to have surgery to repair excessive scar-tissue over his left-eye. Mike
also ventured into 'Full-Contact Karate' in California for 3-Months as well.

Mike is set to return on Tuesday ~ May 11th at the Civic Auditorium in Albuquerque against
Nathaniel 'Nat' Gates.

Fight Promoters > Paul Chavez and Bruce Trampler had signed Quarry up 2-Weeks ago, but
with an 'un-named opponent'. There was a 'scramble' to get a decent club-fighter or quality
journeyman to put in against the 'returning' World Class Light-Heavyweight, and one who
would be approved by the Boxing Commission.



Mike Quarry >
"I knew that I would be back here in Albuequerque. I 'love' this town. It is the best place to
prepare both mentally and physically for a bout. The high-altitude is good for training and
it makes you tough."

"I've been here for 7-Days {since May 2nd}. I enjoy the people here, and the food {Enchilada's}
and {Sopapillas} are the best in America."

"They have brought in 'Nat' Gates from Sarasota, Florida as my opponent. I used to spar with
him when I was living in Orlando. I know Gates is 'a crafty dude'. He will be a tough opponent
for sure."

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ May 11, 1976

Civic Auditorium ~ Albuquerque, New Mexico

Promoters ....... Paul Chavez and Bruce Trampler
Attendance .......... 1822
Gate Receipts ...... $13,300 .......... { Ticket Prices ... $10.00 ~ $7.50 ~ $5.00 ~ 3.00 }

Mike Quarry - 52-7-3 {13 KO"s} ~ 5' 11" ~ 176 1/4 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 2 months}
vs.
Nathaniel 'Nat' Gates - 13-3-2 {5 KO's} ~ 6' 1" ~ 179 lbs. ~ {Age; 25 years, 1 month}
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ Mike Quarry Wins Controversial Decision ~

~ Mike Quarry Wins In Close Scrap ~

#12 World-ranked Mike Quarry won a 'controversial' 10-Round Split-Decision over 'scrappy' Nat Gates
in Albuquerque.

The bout started off slow, as the first 3-Rounds saw limited action, as Mike Quarry threw an occasional
'one-two' to the body of his tall-and-lanky opponent, but Quarry's attack was 'weak.

On the other side, Nat Gates did little, as he 'posed and preened' thru the first 3-Rounds.

But in Round 4, Nat Gates 'attacked' and rocked Quarry with several 'long-range' right-hands to the head.
Gates then 'raked' Quarry with a series of right-hands, and had his opponent 'groggy' throughout the
middle of the session.

But by the end of the Round, Quarry had cleared his head, and started to come back with his own
right-hands as well.

Thru the middle-Rounds both fighters exchanged and 'jarred' each other with long right-hands to
the head, in 'even' action.

Quarry had the 'slight-edge' in Rounds 7 and 8, as he moved inside and scored with right-hand leads to
Gates body, and then working his opponents mid-section with steady but light punches.



Behind on points, Nat Gates put in a 'good effort' over the last 2-Rounds {Rounds 9 and 10}, as he
landed with long-range left-hands and looping-rights into Quarry's face.

Scoreccards
* Referee - Nelfie Quintana ... 96-93 = {6-4-0 in Rounds} > Nathanial 'Nat' Gates
* Judge - Walter Geis ........... 97-95 = {5-3-2 in Rounds} > Mike Quarry
* Judge - Bill Litt .................. 97-96 = {4-3-3 in Rounds} > Mike Quarry

* The Albuequerqe Journal ... 97-96 = {4-3-3 in Rounds} > Mike Quarry

Note: After the decision was announced, the usual 'hurling of debris' and loud booing from the
fans occurred.

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ..................... $3325 .. {25% of the Gate Receipts} + {Plus Hotel, Travel and related expenses}
* Nathanial 'Nat' Gates ........ $1200 .. {Plus Travel and Hotel expenses}

After Bout Comments

Mike Quarry >
"It felt good in there. I fought fairly well, until the last 2-Rounds when I got tired. He {Nat Gates} is a
good fighter, and he was 'tricky' with those quick right-hands."

Nathanial 'Nat' Gates >
"Mike was weak. He had absolutely nothing on his punches. Damn, I gave away the first 3-Rounds,
otherwise I would have won."

[Bill Paxtom]

May 15, 1976

~ Mike Quarry To Work With Southwest Promoters ~

Mike Quarry, fresh off his 'controversial' 10-Round Split Decision win here in Albuquerque,
New Mexico over Nathanial 'Nat' Gates will continue to campaign here.

Fight Promoter - Paul Chavez and Boxing Matchmaker - Bruce Trampler have stated that they
have '3' bouts lined up here for the 25 year-old Quarry who is embarking on a comeback
after a 7-Mnth lay-off.

Paul Chavez >
"Mike is a good draw here. We pull in a minimum of 1800 when he is the 'Main Event', which
gives us some room to offer better Fight Purses and put on a 5-Bout Fight Card."

"I would like to match up Mike Quarry with > Alberto 'Beto' Martinez next month. 'Beto' is a
young kid who is 'raw', but one who throws hard-punches. He's got a record of > 18-2-2 with
{13 KOs}, and he could make for a great match-up with Quarry, as in ... 'Boxer versus Puncher'.

"And, for a follow-up in July, there is that kid out of San Diego {Carlos Tijerina}. He's another
hard-whacker with a record of > 17-2-0 with {16 KO's}. That kid can punch."

"And for late-August, if Mike wants it, we could match him up with Arizona Light-Heavyweight
Champion - Larry Castaneda.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 25, 1976

Orlando, Florida

~ Mike Quarry Back In Orlando With Manager/Promoter - Pete Ashlock ~

Light-Heavyweight contender - Mike Quarry will be back in Orlando, Florida with Manager/Promoter
Pete Ashlock.

Mike last fought here on September 9, 1975 {nearly 9-Months ago}.

Pete Ashlock has 'several bouts lined up Mike, and with the 1st one scheduled in 2-Weeks on
June 9th, against 'an-opponent-to-be-named-later'.

The 25 year-old Light-Heavyweight contender has an 'impressive' record of 53-7-3 with {13 KO's}.

Mike Quarry >
"Pete Ashlock has again set me up with good surroundings. He put me up in a nice 2-Bedroom
Condominium in Orlando. The place has a 2-Car garage, a pool and a 'work-out' facility. It is
the best place to be, with all the comforts of home."

"I even had my 'weekend car' {1971 Pontiac GTO 'Judge'} shipped out here, so I can drive my
'Baby' around, while power-shifting the 4-Speed. The car is an 'animal', as I put on a set of
Hooker Headers, an Edelbrock Aluminum High-Rise Intake Manifold and a Holley Carburetor,
plus a few other 'goodies'."

"Last week, I was almost going to sign a Fight Contract with Fight Promoter - Paul Chavez
of Albequerque, New Mexico."

"They had a few bouts lined up for me. But I really wanted a 'rematch' with Pedro Soto of
New York. Unfortunately, they could not guarantee me a bout with Soto, because he is locked
up with Madison Square Garden as their fighter."

"So, I'm back with Pete {Ashlock}, and he's got a few things 'up-his-sleeve', and some."