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

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ February 24, 1978

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

Attendance ........... 2175
Gate Receipts ....... $15,845

* Mike Quarry - 59-9-5 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 178 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 11 months}
vs.
* Ronnie Wilson - 64-28-7 {17 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 172 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 10 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry continues in his 1978 'comeback run', as he is pushed by his Father 'Jack'.

Ronnie Wilson is a tough 11-Year veteran from Canada, but who is now based out of San Diego.

Ronnie, at one time was a Top 10 Light-Heavyweight in {1970 and 1971}, but since February 1972
> Ronnie has only gone { 9-15-2 } in '26-Bouts' while being stopped '5-Times.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Double Skinny ~

Fight Promoter - Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc. has stated that he has 'signed' Mike Quarry to
face 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist - Michael Spinks on Friday - March 31st in Las Vegas on
a CBS-TV 'Friday Night Fight Special'

Mike Quarry >
"I have a lot riding on this bout. I have to look good, and then I get a TV Fight with Michael Spinks.
That is my ticket back into the Top 10."

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ February 24, 1978

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

Attendance ........... 2175
Gate Receipts ....... $15,845

* Mike Quarry - 59-9-5 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 178 lbs. ~ {Age; 26 years, 11 months}
vs.
* Ronnie Wilson - 64-28-7 {17 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 172 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 10 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry continues in his 1978 'comeback run', as he is pushed by his Father 'Jack'.

Ronnie Wilson is a tough 11-Year veteran from Canada, but who is now based out of San Diego.

Ronnie, at one time was a Top 10 Light-Heavyweight in {1970 and 1971}, but since February 1972
> Ronnie has only gone { 9-15-2 } in '26-Bouts' while being stopped '5-Times.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Double Skinny ~

Fight Promoter - Bob Arum of Top Rank Inc. has stated that he has 'signed' Mike Quarry to
face 1976 Olympic Gold Medalist - Michael Spinks on Friday - March 31st in Las Vegas on
a CBS-TV 'Friday Night Fight Special'

Mike Quarry >
"I have a lot riding on this bout. I have to look good, and then I get a TV Fight with Michael Spinks.
That is my ticket back into the Top 10."

~ Mike Quarry Wins, But Just Barely ~

Mike Quarry won an unimpressive 10-Round Split-Decision over veteran Ronnie Wilson that
was not well received by the Coliseum spectators in San Diego.

Quarry was dull-and-listless over the first-half of the bout, as he danced and flicked out an
occasional left-hook at the pressing Wilson.

In Round 4, Wilson turned up the heat, and caught Quarry with a big 'looping' right-hook,
that 'buckled' his Quarry's legs. Wilson then added in a volley of hooks, driving Quarry into a
corner where Wilson battered him.

But Quarry was able to 'edge' back into the bout during Rounds 6, 7 and 8 > as he came
back with 'fast' left-hooks and left-uppercuts, and chopping right-hands as he moved inside
on Wilson.

But over the last 2-Rounds {9 and 10}, both fighters were sloppy in their attack, and neither
had the fire-power left in their punches to do much scoring damage.

Scorecards
* 5-4 > Mike Quarry
* 4-3 > Ronnie Wilson
* 5-3 > Mike Quarry

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ............. $3485 = {22% of the Gate Receipts} + {Plus 3-Day Hotel Expenses}
* Ronnie Wilson .......... $2000

Mike Quarry >
"I was off my game tonight. But I still did more than enough to win. I just felt 'lazy' during the
first 5-Rounds."

[Bill Paxtom]

March 1, 1978

Mike Quarry >
"I will continue until I lose one more time. I've had '2-Bouts' since coming back
5-Weeks ago. I'm getting stronger, I can feel it."

"That 'Draw' in Wichita, Kansas last month, was a 'Hometown Rip-Off'. And I beat
Ronnie Wilson last week. He's a tough veteran, a real tough guy."

"I can make it back. All I ask for is a chance. I feel that I have 'one' good year left
in me. Just let me fight."

Jack Quarry >
"There is no quit in the Quarry's. I wasn't going to let Mike quit after that loss to
Mike Rossman last year {May 11, 1977}."

"We have an offer of { $12,500 } to fight Michael Spinks on March 31st, and on CBS-TV.
We're taking it. Mike has too much experience for Spinks. But, they want it as an 8-Rounder
so that Spinks will have a better chance. He isn't ready for 10-Rounders yet."

"I told Bob Arum that I would agree to an 8-Rounder, but that I want 'fair judges' and
and an 'option' in the contract for a rematch, or another TV Fight in 3 months with
another $12,500 purse amount."

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ March 10, 1978

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

Attendance ........ 1760
Gate Receipts .... $12,812

* Mike Quarry - 60-9-5 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 0 months}
vs.
* Pete McIntyre - 11-4-1 {8 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 174 lbs. ~ {Age; 24 years, 2 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry had fought only 2-weeks earlier in San Diego {February 24th against Ronnie Wilson}.

Mike was in Anaheim, getting ready for his bout with Michel Spinks in 3-Weeks {March 31st}.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny II ~

On Tuesday, March 7th > Jack Quarry gets a call from San Diego, asking if his son Mike would
be able to fill in for the 'Main Event' > Friday Night fight at the Coliseum.

Originally, Alvaro Lopez of Los Angeles was to come in to face 'local' Pete McIntyre. But Lopez
pulled out when he got a better fight purse offer for a bout in Las Vegas.

Jack Quarry is offered a Fight Purse of { $3000 } to get Mike down to San Diego. Jack accepts
the bout on short notice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny III ~

Pete McIntyre is being billed with a record of 11-4-1 with {8 KO's}. Though this is 'spotty', as
it appears that his record is > 6-8-1 with {4 KO"s}.

That being said, Pete has gone 5-3-1 with {3 KO's} in his past '9-Bouts'. Pete who is a local
fighter from San Diego can 'punch', but he has little defense and a 'shaky' chin.

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ March 10, 1978

Coliseum ~ San Diego, California

Attendance ........ 1760
Gate Receipts .... $12,812

* Mike Quarry - 60-9-5 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 0 months}
vs.
* Pete McIntyre - 11-4-1 {8 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 174 lbs. ~ {Age; 24 years, 2 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry had fought only 2-weeks earlier in San Diego {February 24th against Ronnie Wilson}.

Mike was in Anaheim, getting ready for his bout with Michel Spinks in 3-Weeks {March 31st}.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny II ~

On Tuesday, March 7th > Jack Quarry gets a call from San Diego, asking if his son Mike would
be able to fill in for the 'Main Event' > Friday Night fight at the Coliseum.

Originally, Alvaro Lopez of Los Angeles was to come in to face 'local' Pete McIntyre. But Lopez
pulled out when he got a better fight purse offer for a bout in Las Vegas.

Jack Quarry is offered a Fight Purse of { $3000 } to get Mike down to San Diego. Jack accepts
the bout on short notice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny III ~

Pete McIntyre is being billed with a record of 11-4-1 with {8 KO's}. Though this is 'spotty', as
it appears that his record is > 6-8-1 with {4 KO"s}.

That being said, Pete has gone 5-3-1 with {3 KO's} in his past '9-Bouts'. Pete who is a local
fighter from San Diego can 'punch', but he has little defense and a 'shaky' chin.

~ Mike Quarry 'Upset' ~ Bombed Out By Unknown In San Diego ~

Mike Quarry's career appears to be over, as he was 'bombed out' by little-known San Diego
fighter Pete McIntyre.

Quarry, who took the bout on only 3-days notice, was expecting an easy trip here at the
Coliseum against McIntyre, but he was in for a 'San Diego Surprise'.

Quarry got off to a good start during the first 2-Rounds, as he displayed fast-hands and sharp
punches by landing with his quick left-hand, and short rights to the head.

But in Round 3, Quarry abandoned his boxing skills and decided to 'trade' with the hard-hitting
McIntyre. It was a 'big mistake' as McIntyre slammed Quarry with wide left-hooks and long
right-hands to the head. By the end of the Round, Quarry was both 'groggy' and wobbling on
shaky pins, to go along with a swollen left-eye.

In Round 4, a confident Pete McIntyre came out by firing in 'thudding' left jabs into Quarry's
swollen left-eye. McIntyre was aggressive, and hammered Quarry when he got in close. Quarry
had no fire-power in his punches to hold off the 'hard-swinging' McIntyre, and was beaten
around the Ring during Round 4.

In Round 5, McIntyre continued to slam away on a 'near defenseless' Quarry. At the {1:20 Mark},
McIntyre caught Quarry with a hard left-hook to the chin, 'dropping' Quarry to the canvas for a
'4-Count'.

Quarry got up 'groggy', but wanted to continue. As the action resumed, McIntyre 'unloaded' with
a barrage of punches, and drove Quarry into a Corner. There, McIntyre ripped away and 'dropped'
Quarry again with several punches to the head.

The Referee - Frank Rustich counted out Mike Quarry at {1:54} of Round 5.

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ........ $3000 + {7.5% of the Gate Receipts $960} = $3960
* Pete McIntyre ..... $1250

After Bout Comments

Jack Quarry >
"We were set up with a 'ringer'. That guy {Pete McIntyre} is no mediocre fighter. He's a big
bomber. I was told that he was decent, but not like this. We were set up."

Mike Quarry >
"I was doing fine, until I got caught on my left-eye in Round 3. The eye 'swelled up' and I
couldn't see his punches coming in, especially the right-hands."

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ June 13, 1978

Ice World ~ Totowa, New Jersey

* Mike Quarry - 60-10-5 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 3 months}
vs.
* Kevin Smith - 11-2-0 {9 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 176 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 2 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billed as;

The Pro versus The Kid


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

~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry >
Despite getting 'flattened' {L KO 5} by Pete McIntyre on March 10, 1978. Mike was still supposed to go
ahead and fight Michael Spinks.

The 'original' date of March 31st, was pushed back 7-Days to Friday Night - April 7th to give Mike Quarry
an extra week to recover from the Knockout Loss. The bout was still set for Las Vegas.

But, Michael Spinks 'pulled out', due to a hand injury. That left Mike Quarry 'available'.

Enter > Lou Duva

Lou Duva was the 'Manager/Trainer' of the 'highly-touted' Kevin Smith of Jersey City, New Jersey. The
20 year-old 'Ballsy Irish Kid' was super popular in North Jersey, and was one hell of a puncher.

Lou Duva felt that his fighter needed a 'name win' on his record to get Kevin Smith into the Top 15 of
Ring Magazine's World Rankings.

Lou contacted Jack and Mike Quarry in mid-May 1977, and offered them a Fight Purse of { $5000 },
a Percentage of the Gate, plus '3' Round-Trip Airline Tickets and {Hotel Expenses} to come to
Totowa, New Jersey to battle Kevin Smith on the June 13th bout.

[Bill Paxtom]

Tuesday ~ June 13, 1978

Ice World ~ Totowa, New Jersey

* Mike Quarry - 60-10-5 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 3 months}
vs.
* Kevin Smith - 11-2-0 {9 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 176 lbs. ~ {Age; 20 years, 2 months}
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Billed as;

The Pro versus The Kid


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

~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry >
Despite getting 'flattened' {L KO 5} by Pete McIntyre on March 10, 1978. Mike was still supposed to go
ahead and fight Michael Spinks.

The 'original' date of March 31st, was pushed back 7-Days to Friday Night - April 7th to give Mike Quarry
an extra week to recover from the Knockout Loss. The bout was still set for Las Vegas.

But, Michael Spinks 'pulled out', due to a hand injury. That left Mike Quarry 'available'.

Enter > Lou Duva

Lou Duva was the 'Manager/Trainer' of the 'highly-touted' Kevin Smith of Jersey City, New Jersey. The
20 year-old 'Ballsy Irish Kid' was super popular in North Jersey, and was one hell of a puncher.

Lou Duva felt that his fighter needed a 'name win' on his record to get Kevin Smith into the Top 15 of
Ring Magazine's World Rankings.

Lou contacted Jack and Mike Quarry in mid-May 1977, and offered them a Fight Purse of { $5000 },
a Percentage of the Gate, plus '3' Round-Trip Airline Tickets and {Hotel Expenses} to come to
Totowa, New Jersey to battle Kevin Smith on the June 13th bout.

Ice World ~ Totowa, New Jersey

Attendance ........... 3384
Gate Receipts ...... $22,300

~ Pro Quarry and Kid Smith Battle To Draw ~

Mike Quarry and local start Kevin Smith battled to a 10-Round Draw in an action bout here
in front of a 'Standing Room Only' packed house.

The visiting 27 year-old Mike Quarry came into the Ring with '60-Wins' in '75-Bouts' over a 9-Year
career, against a young 20 year-old Kevin Smith who only had '13-Bouts' in a short 2-Year career.

Over the early going, the strong and 'hard-swinging' Smith attacked with a rampage, and pounded
the veteran as he kept Quarry 'pinned' on the Ropes during much of the first 3-Rounds.

Smith continued to swing-for-the-fences' in Round 4, but at the end of the session, the younger
'Kid' appeared arm-weary from the high-volume of punches he threw.

Starting in Round 5, Quarry used his clever moves by sticking-and-sliding, as he tagged Smith
with left-hooks and left-uppercuts.

Quarry continued with good boxing during Rounds 6 and 7, as Smith labored with slow-punches
to the body.

In Round 8, Smith was able to put some pressure on Quarry, as he backed the visiting veteran
into the Ropes, where he mauled him with body punches. Quarry was forced to cover up, but
he did get in some good 'counters' over the last 30-Seconds.

The last 2-Rounds were fought with both fighters at Center-Ring trading, then Smith would bull
Quarry into the Ropes and wail away with slow-wide hooks to the body. As Quarry would patiently
wait for an opening, and counter with quick bursts in Smith's face.

Scorecards
* Referee - Larry Hazard ....... 47-46 > {4-3-3 in Rounds} > Kevin Smith
* Judge - Harold Lederman ... 46-44 > {6-4-0 in Rounds} > Mike Quarry
* Judge - Phil Newman ......... 45-45 > {5-5-0 in Rounds} > 'Even'

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry .......... $5000 + {5% of the Gate Receipts $1115} = $6115
* Kevin Smith ........... $3500

Mike Quarry >
"For them to call it a 'Draw' in his Hometown, that means I won. I let him punch himself
out over the first 4-Rounds, and then it was all mine."

"He's a 'ballsy kid' who is very strong. But you need more than strength and power to defeat
World-Rated fighters. You need skill and smarts too."

Kevin Smith >
"I can't believe I got screwed in my Hometown. I won this fight. I won it easy."

Lou Duva >
"I guess the only way to settle this is for a rematch. We can do this again in 8-Weeks,
if Mike Quarry is up to it."

Al Certo >
"It was good fight. It could have gone either way. I'd like to see a rematch between these two,
sure."