Jerry Quarry (May 15, 1945 – January 3, 1999), nicknamed “Irish” or “The Bellflower Bomber”, was an American heavyweight boxer….who was rated by Ring Magazine as the most popular fighter in the sport, from 1968 to 1971….during the peak of his career….with his most famous bouts being against world champions Floyd Patterson, Jimmy Ellis, Joe Frazier, Muhammad Ali and Ken Norton. His professional career record of 53 wins 9 losses and 4 draws included wins over some of the best heavyweights of his era from 1965 to 1975. Quarry also had a remarkably successful amateur boxing career…..and was also briefly a Hollywood actor….where he appeared in a number of television roles….who also played a recurring character on the show Adam-12.
Joseph William Frazier (January 12, 1944 – November 7, 2011), nicknamed “Smokin’ Joe“, was an American professional boxer….who competed from 1965 to 1981….and reigned as the undisputed heavyweight champion from 1970 to 1973….who also as an amateur won a gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics. Frazier was known for his sheer strength, durability, formidable punching power and relentless pressure fighting style….who emerged as the top contender in the late 1960’s while defeating opponents that included Jerry Quarry, as seen in these video highlights herewith, Oscar Bonavena, Buster Mathis, Eddie Machen, Doug Jones, George Chuvalo, and Jimmy Ellis en route to becoming undisputed heavyweight champion in 1970….which he followed up by defeating Muhammad Ali by unanimous decision in the highly anticipated Fight of the Century in 1971. Two years later, Frazier lost his title when he was defeated by George Foreman….but he continued to fight on fought on while beating Joe Bugner….losing a rematch to Ali….and beating Quarry and Ellis again.
During the year of 1969….Smokin Joe Frazier defended his NYSAC title in Texas by beating Dave Zyglewicz,…who had only lost once in 29 fights….by a first-round knockout. Then he beat Jerry Quarry in a 7th round stoppage….in which this competitive, exciting match with Quarry was named 1969 Ring Magazine fight of the year….as Smokin Joe showed he could do a lot more than just slug….when he used his newly honed defensive skills to slip, bob and weave a barrage of Quarry punches despite Quarry’s reputation as an excellent counter punching heavyweight.
Any way you cut the pie….this video is “pure gold” in our ImaSportsphile treasure chest of boxing memories….and we hope you will agree with us after watching….so, ENJOY!!!
