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

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ May 11, 1976

~ Mike Quarry vs. Mike Rossman 'III'

Round 1

Mike Quarry {174 lbs.} spent most of the Round 'out-speeding' Mike Rossman {172 lbs.}

Quarry was even willing to trade with the 'harder' hitting Rossman. Quarry's speed + volume
out-numbered the harder punches from Rossman.

Scorecards
* Referee - Arthur Mercante ...... Mike Quarry
* Judge - Artie Aidala ................ Mike Quarry
* Judge - Carol Castellano ......... Mike Rossman
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Round 2

Again, Mike Quarry was out-speeding Rossman with quick one-two's. Mike also was now landing
with sharp left-hooks to Rossman's face at the midway point in the session.

But Rossman closed the distance over the second-half of the session, and was exhibiting his
power.

There were several good-exchanges in a fast-paced action Round. Quarry had a strong
last 30-Seconds as he drove Rossman to the Ropes and raked him over with fast flurries.

At the end of the Round, Quarry was sporting a bruise under his right-eye, after taking a
solid left-hook from Rossman.

Scorecards
* Referee - Arthur Mercante ...... Mike Quarry
* Judge - Artie Aidala ................ Mike Quarry
* Judge - Carol Castellano ......... Mike Quarry
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round 3

This time it is was Mike Rossman who got off to a fast-start. Rossman was landing with good
left-hands and right-crosses into Quarry's face during a strong first-half.

But Quarry started fighting back by the midway point in the session. Mike was tagging
Rossman with fast 'left-right' combinations to the head, and again sent Rossman backwards
and to the Ropes late in a very close Round.

Scorecards
* Referee - Arthur Mercante ..... Mike Rossman
* Judge - Artie Aidala ............... Mike Rossman
* Judge - Carol Castellano ........ Mike Quarry
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round 4

Mike Rossman tore into Quarry in this Round. Rossman 'unleashed' his heavy-hands on
Quarry, who absorbed some hard-punches early in the Round.

Rossman connected with several solid right-crosses that 'jarred' Quarry. Then followed with
a 'triple' right-hand, and '2' big left-hooks that 'wobbled' Mike.

Mike tried to fight back, but Rossman was walking right through his light counter-attack.

But Mike Quarry showed heart, and after taking a lathering, Mike came back over the last
20-Seconds with a very good attack to back Rossman up.

Scorecards
* Referee - Arthur Mercante ...... Mike Rossman
* Judge - Artie Aidala ............... Mike Rossman
* Judge - Carol Castellano ........ Mike Rossman

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thru 4-Rounds

The bout was all 'Even' on the '3' Officials Scorecards. But Mike Rossman was the
stronger fighter, and took command in Round 4.

In Mike Quarry's corner {Eddie Futch and Jerry Quarry} told Mike to box-and-move,
and to 'not' trade with Rossman.

Eddie Futch>
"You cannot stand in front of him Mike. Move, and give him angles. He can only fight
coming straight in. Side-step him, and then counter him."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Round 5

Mike Rossman came out 'briskly', and started to unload his heavy-arsenal. But Mike stayed right with
the heavy-hitter, and traded on an 'even scale'.

Mid-way thru the session, Rossman started to take control, as he landed with a few solid right-hands,
including shaking Quarry with a 'short' to the head, which 'stunned' Quarry.

But at the {2:00 Mark}, Quarry rallied with fast-flurries. Though the punches were 'light-slaps', Quarry
drove Rossman backwards and into the right-side Ropes, and both traded with good punches until the
Bell.

Scorecards
* Referee - Arthur Mercante ..... Mike Rossman
* Judge - Artie Aidala ............... Mike Quarry
* Carol Castellano .................... Mke Rossman
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Bill Paxtom]

~ Mike Quarry vs. Mike Rossman ~

~ The Fateful Round 6 ~

0:02 > Mike Rossman comes charging out of his corner, and moves in on Mike Quarry at the back-left Ring area.
0:04 > Rossman is pressing.
0:08 > Quarry lands with a quick left-hook to the head, and circles left and out to Center-Ring.
0:10 > Rossman lands with a 'jarring' left-jab to the face.

0:11 > Quarry steps forward.
0:12 > Rossman 'times' Quarry, and catches him coming in with a 'big' right-uppercut to the jaw.
0:14 > Quarry is 'shaken', and slowly backs up to the front-right Ring area.
0:16 > Rossman moves in, and digs in with a hard 'left-right' to the body.

0:18 > Rossman comes back with a left-hook.
0:19 > Rossman 'hammers' Quarry with a hard right to the body.
0:22 > Quarry counters with a left-hook to the head.
0:25 > Both fighters move in close, and smother each other.

0:31 > The fighters break apart, as Rossman steps back 2-Steps.
0:34 > Rossman fires in a straight-left, then catches Quarry with a 'big' right-cross to the chin.
0:35 > Quarry is now leaning back on the front-center Ropes.
0:37 > Rossman moves in, and fires away with a 'left-right-left'.

0:40 > Quarry tries a counter, and lands with a left-hook to the body.
0:42 > Quarry moves in close, to prevent a follow up from Rossman.
0:46 > Quarry gets off a good left-hook to the body, and a 'double' right-hand to Rossman's head.
0:48 > Rossman counters with a right-hand.

0:50 > Rossman is loading up with the right-hand now.
0:51 > Quarry lands with a left-hook to the body.
0:52 > Rossman steps back 1-Step.
0:54 > Rossman moves back in.

0:55 > Rossman catches Quarry with a big right-hand to the left-eye.
0:56 > Quarry is driven into the front-center Ropes.
0:58 > Rossman 'slams' Quarry with a right to the head.
0:59 > Rossman 'misses' with a big left-hook.

1:00 > Rossman scores with a straight right-hand to Quarry's face.
1:01 > Quarry is sporting a badly 'swollen' left-eye.
1:03 > Quarry comes back with a fast 'right-left'.
1:05 > Rossman counters with a left-hook, and a 'big' right-hand to the head.

1:06 > Rossman is over-whelming Quarry.
1:07 > Rossman adds in a 'solid' right-left to the head,.
1:08 > Rossman digs in with hard right-hand to he body.
1:09 > Quarry is 'covering up' while pinned on the Ropes.

1:11 > Rossman moves in, and fires in with a 'grazing' right-left.
1:12 > Rossman comes back with a 'crushing' left-hook into Quarry's face.
1:14 > Quarry ducks low, as Rossman fires in with a 'left-left-right' that miss high.
1:16 > Quarry counters with a 'right-left', but he has nothing on the punches.

1:17 > Quarry circles out to his right, and away from the front-Ropes, and moves to the right-side Ring area.
1:18 > Quarry backs up all the way to the back-right Corner.
1:19 > Rossman moves in, and lands with a good 'chopping' right-hand to Quarry's chin.
1:20 > Rossman comes back with a fast 'left-right' to the head.

1:21 > Mike Quarry is 'wobbly-and-groggy'.
1:22 > Rossman catches Quarry with a right-uppercut.
1:23 > Rossman adds in a 'left-right' to the head.
1:24 > Quarry is 'stunned', and is taking a beating.

1:25 > The Madison Square Garden crowd is on it's feet cheering the action.

1:26 > Rossman sends in '2' long measuring left-jabs to the Quarry's face.
1:27 > Rossman comes back with another right-uppercut.
1:28 > Quarry is still in the back-right Corner.
1:29 > Quarry lands with a good right-hand counter to Rossman's head.

1:30 > Rossman catches Quarry with another right-uppercut to the chin.
1:30 > Rossman adds in a left-hook to the body, and a left-hook to the head.
1:30 > Mike Quarry is getting 'steam-rolled'.
1:31 > Rossman scores with a 'left-left-right' to the head.

1:32 > Quarry leans back on the right-side Ropes.
1:32 > Referee - Arthur Mercante leans in to look at Mike Quarry.
1:33 > Rossman lands with a 'chopping' right-hand to the head.
1:34 > Suddenly, Mike Rossman looks 'arm-weary'.

1:36 > Rossman 'misses' with a big right-hand, and a slow sweeping left-hook.
1:37 > Quarry is now rolling inside, avoiding Rossman's onslaught.
1:38 > Quarry comes back with a 'right-left' to the head.
1:40 > A 'tired' Rossman bulls Quarry into the back-right Corner.

1:41 > The fighters 'clinch'.
1:42 > Quarry now has a 'badly' puffed-up left eye-brow.
1:44 > Quarry backs out to Center-Ring on 'wobbling-legs'.
1:46 > Quarry moves backwards to the front-left Ring area.

1:47 > Quarry stops, and fires off a 'fast' right-left into Rossman's face.
1:47 > Rossman walks right thru the punches.
1:48 > Rossman catches Quarry with a 'tremendous' left-hook to the right eye-brow.
1:48 > Quarry moves back into the front-left Corner.

1:49 > Mike Quarry now has a 'bad cut' {vertical-split} on the right eye-brow.
1:50 > Rossman 'misses' with a straight right-hand over a 'ducking' Mike Quarry.
1:52 > Quarry counters back with a 'left-right', but his punches are weak.
1:53 > Quarry is now on the left-side Ropes.

1:54 > Rossman catches Quarry with a 'jarring' right-uppercut.
1:55 > Quarry counters with his own good left-uppercut.
1:56 > Rossman comes back with a 'grazing' left-right-right to the head.
1:58 > Quarry is showing 'tremendous' heart, and comes back with a 'left-right' to Rossman's face.

2:00 > Rossman comes back with a left to the body, and quick left-hook to the head.
2:01 > Again Quarry comes back with a quick counter, and scores with a fast 'right-left' to Rossman's head.
2:03 > Then Quarry 'smashes' 3 hard left hooks into Rossman's chin.
2:04 > Rossman backs off, and moves back 2-Steps

2:05 > Rossman sends in a long left-jab to Quarry's face.
2:06 > Quarry moves out, and scores with a fast 'left-right'.
2:07 > Rossman moves in, and leans on Quarry, pushing him back into the left-side Ropes.
2:08 > Rossman is 'not punching' back.

2:10 > Rossman throws a 'weak' left-hook to the head, and a 'weak' left-hook to the body.
2:11 > Quarry is 'smothering' Rossman on the inside, not giving him any room to punch.
2:13 > Quarry 'pushes' Rossman off of him.
2:14 > Quarry lands a 'smashing' overhand right into Rossman's left ear.

2:16 > Rossman moves in, and is holding on.
2:16 > Rossman looks tired and weary.
2:17 > Quarry continues to work inside with light-punches.
2:18 > Rossman lands with a 'weak' left-hand to the body.

2:21 > Quarry fires off a quick 'right-left-right'.
2:23 > Rossman counters with a right-uppercut to Quarry's chin.
2:24 > Quarry comes back with his own solid left-uppercut to the chin.
2:25 > Rossman comes right back with a good left-hook to the body.

2:27 > Quarry whips in a fast 'left-right-left' into Rossman's face.
2:29 > Rossman tries to lead with a 'right-left' but his punches are now coming in slow, and they both miss badly.
2:31 > Quarry leans in close, and lands with '2' fast left-hands to Rossman's head.
2:33 > Rossman 'misses again' with a right-uppercut.

2:34 > Quarry counters with a 'light' left-hook to the head.
2:37 > Rossman loads up, and lands with a 'right-left' to the body.
2:38 > Rossman comes back with a straight right-hand to Quarry's jaw.
2:39 > Quarry counters with a 'slapping' left-hook to Rossman's face.

2:40 > Mike Quarry is still fighting with his back to the left-side Ropes.
2:42 > Quarry 'scores' with a good right-uppercut, and sharp left-hook to Rossman's head.
2:44 > Rossman tries to counter, but 'misses' with a right-left.
2:46 > Rossman lands with a 'light' left-right to the upper-body.

2:47 > Quarry counters with a 'quick' right-left' to Rossman's face.
2:48 > Mike Rossman is completely stationary now, and his legs look heavy.
2:49 > Quarry scores with a 'snappy' right-left to the head.
2:50 > Quarry delivers a fast '4-Punch' flurry into Rossman's head.

2:51 > The Madison Square Garden fans are on their feet roaring.
2:52 > Rossman comes back with a 'vicious' straight right-hand into Quarry's left-eye area.
2:53 > Rossman moves in close to hold, as he is 'arm-weary' now.
2:55 > Referee - Arthur Mercante moves in, and calls 'Break', as he separates both fighters.

2:59 > Quarry adds in a fast 'right-left' to the head.
3:00 > Rossman tags Quarry with a 'left-right' at the Bell.

[Bill Paxtom]

Mike Quarry - Mike Rossman {III}

Round 7

Mike Quarry cannot answer the Bell for Round 7.

Mike had a badly split right eye-brow {vertical slice} and his left-eye was nearly swollen
shut.

Mike had fought his heart out over the last-minute of Round 6, after taking a 'horrific'
beating for the first 2-Minutes.

Mike was behind on '2' of the scorecards, and 'Even' on one Judge's scorecard.

* Referee - Arthur Mercante ..... 4-2 > Mike Rossman
* Judge - Carol Castellano ........ 4-2 > Mike Rossman
* Judge - Artoe Aidala .............. 3-3 > 'Even'

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ............ $25,000 {Plus Hotel and Travel Expenses}
* Mike Rossman ......... $25,000
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ After Bout Comments ~

Dressing Room, filled with 15 Sports Writers.

In the dressing room after the bout, Jerry Quarry said that his brother was going to
retire from the Ring. But, younger brother Mike refused to say it in front of the Sports
Writers.

Jerry Quarry >
"Mike tell everyone that it's over. That's it, you're quitting. Say it. Come on Mike, you fought
your 'Fucking' heart out. You have nothing to be ashamed off. Say it. Say that it's over."

"Damn it. I'm retiring you. "I'll never let you fight again. You're never going into the Ring
again. You hear me."

Mike Quarry >
"I just couldn't see in the 6th Round. The cut over my right-eye was bad, and I knew it. The
blood got in my eye, and I just couldn't see Mike's {Rossman's} punches coming in."

"I was OK in there. I was shook up a few times, but I was coming back good at the end of
Round 6. He {Mike Rossman} was spent. If it wasn't for the cut, who knows."

Jerry Quarry >
"Come on Mike. We know you fought a good fight. Now tell everybody what you promised me.
Say it. I want to hear you say it. 'Fucking' say it."

Mike Quarry >
"I don't want to go out like this Jerry I want to go out a 'winner'. I want just one more fight, one
more win, and then I'll quit."

Jerry Quarry >
"You have your whole life in front of you little brother. You don't need another fight to prove
anything. You'll always be a winner in my book. I don't want to see you take any more punches.
Every time you get hit, I feel the pain right here {pointing to his Heart}."

~ Weeping uncontrollably ~
"Please Mike, you have to say it. I want to hear you say it. Say it for me. I can't say it for you.
You have to say it. I'll never ask you to say it again. I Love you Mike. I Love you."

Mike Quarry >
~ Crying with tears running down his face. ~
"OK Jerry. I'll do it for you. It's over. It's over. It's over Jerry."

Both Jerry and younger brother Mike embrace, and hug each other while they are both
crying.

[Bill Paxtom]

May 11, 1977

Mike Quarry vs. Mike Rossman
Referee - Arthur Mercante



~ Reluctant Mike Quarry Quits ~

A severely cut right eye-brow requiring '7-Stitches', a swollen left-eye, a puffy left eye-brow, bruised cheeks,
a blood sheen face, and a badly bruised nose.

Jerry Quarry >
"Oh he's going to quit. "I'm going to make him quit. If he ever gets near a Boxing Ring again, I'll break
my brother {Mike} in half."

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ May 11, 1977

~ Mike Quarry Can't Say It, But Boxing Career Is Over ~

Mike Quarry
Age ..................... 26 years, 2 months
Total Bouts ........... '73'
Record ................. 59-9-4 {15 KO's}
Career .................. April 18, 1969 -thru- May 11, 1977 = {7 years, 1 month}
Total Rounds ........ '589'

Does not include;
* Sparring Sessions
* Gym Workouts with older brother Jerry Quarry
* Boxing Exhibitions
* Full-Contact Karate Matches and Exhibitions
* Amateur Career

But, was Mike Quarry's career really over ..........



Chuck Hamilton >
"In 1977, Mike was fighting on 'instinct' and natural repetition. He wasn't fighting on his skills anymore. It was
hard to watch. Mike would get hit, and his natural 'reaction' was to punch back and trade. Instead, he should
have been covering up and focused on defense, and/or move away."

"Mike was taking too many punches, to the head 'primarily'. In the bout with Mike Rossman, Mike took too many
punches 'flush'. I cringed every time I saw Rossman nail him with 'sucker' right-uppercuts. A good Professional
would never have been caught by so many 'sucker uppercuts', especially from way outside. Rossman couldn't
miss, even if he tried."

"Personally, I would have never put Mike in the Ring with Rossman in May 1977. Rossman was getting real
strong at the time {Age; 21 1/2}, as he was growing. And he was a real hard-puncher. It was 'not' a good
match-up for Mike, especially in New York."

"But they went for the short-end, and grabbed the money { $25,000 }, and threw Mike's health and well-being
out the window for a nice Fight Purse. That's the short-end way. Money, over your future health."

[Bill Paxtom]

November 13, 1977

Oh No !! ~ Mike Quarry Wants To Return To The Ring

Former World-Ranked Light-Heavyweight Contender - Mike Quarry wants to return
to the Boxing Ring.

The 26 1/2 year-old Mike Quarry last fought on May 11, 1977 - when he was thoroughly
'hammered' and was stopped {TKO 6} when his corner stopped the bout, after Mike was
cut, bruised and beaten bloody.

Quarry, who was had lived in Orlando, Florida thru August 1977, has returned to California
and now resides in Burbank.

Mike has been seen sparring and working out at the Main Street Gym in Los Angeles, and
the former Anaheim resident is quietly preparing for a possible return to the Ring in
December 1977.

Also, Ohio Boxing Matchamker - Don Elbaum has offered Quarry a 'slot' on his upcoming
Full-Contact Karate card for December 17th in Hamilton, Ohio.

Don Elbaum {Ohio Fight Promoter}>
"We have a Television Date coming up. Mike has still been active with Karate, and he would
be a pleasant addition to our {Saturday, December 17th} 'Karate Fight Card' in Hamilton, Ohio.
He could easily compete in a Preliminary Bout, just to get going again."

"If he looks good, we have a 'big event' coming up in January 1978. I would ask him to participate
in that one as well."

[Bill Paxtom]

Sunday ~ December 18, 1977

~ Mike Quarry and Ronnie Wilson Set To Go In Anaheim, Maybe ~

Anaheim, California

Mike Quarry was set to face veteran Ronnie Wilson at the Convention Center in Anaheim on
Tuesday Night ~ December 20th.

Quarry {Age; 26 years, 9 months} has not fought in 7-Months, but has been training for
the past 6-Weeks at the Main Street Gym.

Mike has a record of 59-9-4 with {15 KO's}.

His opponent was to be Canadian - Ronnie Wilson, who is now based in San Diego. Wilson a
28 1/2 year-old 'tough' journeyman, has a record of 64-28-7 with {17 KO's}.

Boxing Matchmaker - Mickey Davies of 'Three Star Promotions' has stated that there is a possibility
that the bout 'may not' go off, as there are some contractual problems with Quarry's 'former' Manager
Pete Ashlock.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry had signed a 5-Year exclusive Managerial Contract with Pete Ashlock in February 1973.
There were still 3-Months left on the 'contract'.

Father - Jack Quarry was trying to circle the 'existing' contract with Pete Ashlock, and took over as Manager
for his son {Mike}.

But, Pete Ashlock filed a protest with the California Athletic Commission, who held up the scheduled bout.

Mickey Davies >
"If we can't work out a release for Mike Quarry. We'll set up the bout for next month {January 1978}.

Jack Quarry >
"Oh for Jesus Christ. Pete Ashlock is trying to hold us up for '3' lousy months. He wants a { $10,000 }
buy out to release Mike from his existing contract. There is only '3-Months' left on the managerial
contract for God's Sake."

"The guy is a Millionaire, and he wants to squeeze my son for a lousy { $10,000 }. This Fucking
business is for 'animals' and leeches."

"Pete Ashlock made a 'large sum' of money off my kids blood, guts and heart. Enough is enough.
He is not getting any percentage of Mike's purse. Not a 'dime'. We'll wait '3' more months if we
have to."

Pete Ashlock >
"You know, Jack Quarry came to 'me' and begged me to take Mike in early-1973. I put a 'ton' of
money into helping him."

"I treated this kid better than my son. I gave him nice places to live {for free} for 4 1/2 years. I
covered all his expenses, training and travel. I handed him 'bonus money'. I bought him a 'new'
car in 1974. Every time he wanted to leave Orlando and fly back home to California, he had
an Airline Ticket waiting for him."

"Look, he walked out on me and didn't say anything after the Mike Rossman bout. I got him
{ $25,000 } as a fight purse, and I only took 15% as a Manager's Fee instead of my customary 30%."

"Look, I wanted Mike to retire in 1976. But he wanted to keep fighting, to make that 'Fucking Father'
of his happy. That is what will destroy Mike. The poor kid is in too deep with his Father."