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

[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}
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~ 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}.
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~ 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.
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~ 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."

[Bill Paxtom]

July 2, 1978

~ Mike Quarry Still Fighting On, Hopes For Bout With Michael Spinks ~

27 year-old Mike Quarry has been fighting as Professional for 9-Years, but
the Ring Battles have taken their toll on the clever-boxer.

But still, Mike hopes for that one break that will get him a 2nd-chance at a
World Championship bout.

Mike Quarry >
"I'm still trudging. I was supposed to fight Michael Spinks on {April 7th}, but
he injured his hand and the bout was 'cancelled'. I'm still hoping that we can
do it, as I feel that I can give him a good go in the Ring."

"I have another bout scheduled for July 12th up in Oakland. I'm taking on that
rough-house guy {Tommy Evans}. Nobody else will fight him, so they called me
up. I turn down no one, as long as the money {Fight Purse} is fair. They all
want to have me on their record as a win. But I don't fall easily."

[Bill Paxtom]

Wednesday ~ July 12, 1978

Auditorium ~ Oakland, California

Attendance........... 2212
Gate Receipts .... $17,650

* Mike Quarry - 60-10-6 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 177 lbs. ~ {Age; 27 years, 4 months}
vs.
* Tommy Evans - 11-2-1 {11 KO's} ~ 5' 10 1/2" ~ 178 lbs. ~ {Age 25 years, 6 months}
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry travels 'north', to take on local bomber Tommy Evans. Mike needs a
win here, to keep his chanced alive for a Television Bout with Michael Spinks.

Tommy Evans is a rough-house 'Pier-6' brawler. Evans is physically strong, but is
an 'unpolished' fighter who comes in wide-open while swing from the 'rafters'.
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~ Evans Stops Quarry In Brawl ~

Local 'brawler' Tommy Evans stopped former Contender Mike Quarry by TKO in the
8th, after Quarry was battered and badly cut over both eyes.

The bout got off to a 'rousing' start, as both fighters immediately went to 'toe-to-toe'
trading at Center-Ring.

While Quarry was the better-skilled boxer, Evans had the heavier-hands and rocked the
veteran backwards. The action was heated during the first 4-Rounds, as both fighters
unloaded with their full arsenal.

By the end of Round 5, Quarry was sporting bruised eyes and blood was coming from
his mouth. Evans had a swollen left-eye.

But Evans strength started to take over in Round 6, as he battered Quarry into the
Ropes, where he delivered his 'wide-haymakers' on Quarry's head as the veteran
started to fade.

In Round 7, Evans tore into Quarry, and slammed in several right-hand bombs into
Quarry's face, cutting him over his left-eye. Referee - Rudy Ortega looked in several
times to checkout Mike Quarry's condition.

Coming out for Round 8, Quarry looked spent and had nothing left. Evans moved in
and jabbed at Quarry's ace with thudding lefts for the first 40-Seconds, sending
Quarry back to the Ropes.

Evans then moved in, and unleashed a '12-Punch' barrage on Quarry who turned
side-ways.

Referee - Rudy Ortega then, moved in and called the bout over at the {1:01 Mark}
of Round 8.

Scorecards at the end of Round 7
* 4-2 .. Tommy Evans
* 4-2 .. Tommy Evans
* 3-2 .. Tommy Evans

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ....... $4125 = {25% of the Gate Receipts, with a Purse Guarantee of $3500}
* Tommy Evans..... $3500

Mike Quarry >
"I have no excuses tonight. He was stronger than me. He {Tommy Evans} is
a rough-guy. He's like an old-time 'brawler' from the docks on the pier. All
arms, shoulders and forearms."

Tommy Evans
"I hadn't fought in 8-Months, so I was a bit worried if the bout went past
5-Rounds. But Mike didn't have anything behind his punches, so I just walked
through him. He's still a good boxer, but I think his time has passed. He should
get out of Boxing now, as he is starting to get beat up."

[Bill Paxtom]

Following the {L TKO 8} loss to Tommy Evans on July 13, 1978.

Mike 'retired again' with a final record of 60-11-6, with '4' stoppage losses,
and a badly scarred up left eye-brow.

Mike returned to Bakersfield, California and opened up a Restaurant Café.

Mike was quietly retired for 15-Months, when in November 1979 - he got
the 'itch' again.

November 2, 1979

Mike Quarry >
"Staying away from the Ring for over 1-Year was the best thing for me. I
needed the rest. My body now feels fine, and my skin has healed to 95%."

"I think that I could get back into the mix, after a few tune-up bouts. I have
been offered a bout in Lake Tahoe for the end of the month {November 23rd}.
I think that I will give it a go. I can get ready in 3-Weeks, and be fine for a
10-Rounder."

[Bill Paxtom]

Friday ~ November 23, 1979

Hyatt House ~ Lake Tahoe, Nevada

Attendance ......... 1675
Gate Receipts .... $12,250

* Mike Quarry - 60-11-6 {15 KO's} ~ 5' 11" ~ 181 lbs. ~ {Age; 28 years, 8 months}
vs.
* Pascual Ramirez - 8-4-1 {5 KO's} ~ 6' 0" ~ 180 lbs. ~ {Age; 21 years, 3 months}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ The Skinny ~

Mike Quarry returns to the Ring after a 16-month absence. Mike has been training
for 3 1/2 weeks, and has looked surprisingly sharp.

Pascual Ramirez is a young 21 year-old boxer from Los Angeles, with minimal
{2-Years} experience.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
~ Mike Quarry Returns With a Knockout Win ~

Former Light-Heavyweight contender - 28 1/2 year-old Mike Quarry returned tonight
and scored an 'impressive' {KO 8} win over young Pascual Ramirez.

Quarry displaying fast-hands and quick-combinations early in the bout, was too much
for his inexperienced opponent.

Ramirez was 'only' able to reach Quarry in Rounds 3 and 4 with some right-hands, but
that was his only effective offense.

Quarry moved inside during Rounds 5 and 6, and worked the body of Ramirez with
repeated left-hooks and short right-uppercuts, while wearing him down.

In Round 7, Quarry caught Ramirez with a left-hook and chopping right-hand to the jaw
late in the session, and dropped the youngster for a '3-Count'.

In Round 8, Quarry battered the weakened Ramirez with body-punches, dropping him
for 'twice' for short-counts during the session. Later in the Round, Quarry 'slammed' in a
wide left-hook to the head, and Ramirez went down for the 3rd-time, causing an
automatic stoppage at the {2:22 Mark}.

Fight Purses
* Mike Quarry ........ $3000 {Plus Expenses}
* Pascual Ramirez .. $1500 {Plus Expenses}

After Bout Comments

Mike Quarry >
"It's just one-win. It's nothing to get all excited about. I fought well, and did pretty good
for someone out of the Ring for almost a year-and-a-half."

"I'd gladly come back here again, if I get an offer. But it would have to be after the
Holidays, as I'm running my Restaurant back in Bakersfield.