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Muhammad Ali vs Jerry Quarry 26.10.1970

3,002 views · Published 19 October 2016 · 12:59 · Indexed 1 November 2026

Channel: Classic Boxing Matches · 2016 · Sports

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Muhammad Ali makes his long awaited in-ring return against Jerry Quarry, The Ring magazine's number 1 ranked contender.  Ali hadn't fought a professional fight for 3 years and Quarry was arguably the most exciting fan favorite boxer of the past 2 years.  More info below...

"Irish" Jerry Quarry was the first brother from the fighting Quarry family to turn pro in 1965.  His bother Mike turned pro in 1969 as a light heavyweight and his other lesser known brother Bobby turned pro in 1982.  Jerry was undefeated in his first 20 fights for a record of 17-0-3.  In 1966 the young Quarry fought with one time heavyweight prospect and Rocky Marciano protege Tony Alongi twice, both fights resulting in a draw.  After the second draw with Alongi, Quarry lost his first fight, a 10 round decision to veteran Eddie Machen.  Quarry had nothing but praise for Machen after the loss and said he had learned a lot from the beating.  Over the next 2 years Quarry went on a 10 fight winning streak including a decision over recent World Heavyweight title challenger Brian London and a draw with former two time World Heavyweight Champion, Floyd Patterson.  In 1967 Quarry was picked to take part in an 8 man elimination tournament for WBA Heavyweight Title which was stripped from Muhammad Ali for refusal to join the US Army.  Quarry dispensed of Floyd Patterson by majority decision in a rematch and and then stopped Thad Spencer by 12th round TKO to secure his spot in the final against Jimmy Ellis.  Before the fight with Ellis, Quarry injured his back while wrestling with one of his brothers.  The extent of the injury was not fully known at the time however it may have contributed to the majority decision loss he would receive against Ellis...  For the next few months Quarry fought mainly bums however in 1969 Quarry won an upset over Buster Mathis, claiming a one sided 12 round decision.  The win over Mathis rejuvenated Quarry's career and he was given a shot at NYSAC World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Frazier.  Although Quarry retired after 7 rounds due to a bad cut, the fight earned The Ring magazine's Fight of the Year for 1969.  In December 1969 Quarry was unlucky to lose by KO against George Chuvalo, after he misheard the referee's count and rose at 10 instead of 9.  Quarry was ahead on 2 of the 3 judges scorecards at the time.  Quarry started off 1970 with a good 2nd round knockout win against 13-1 fighter Rufus Brassell, coming off the canvas himself in round 1 to do so.  In June 1970 Quarry stopped undefeated Max Foster by 6th round KO.  Quarry had a solid 37-4-4 record heading into the fight with Ali.

Muhammad Ali had been stripped of his World Heavyweight title in 1967 for refusing to be drafted into the Unites States Army.  His last fight was a KO win against an aging Zora Folley back in 1967.  Many still felt Ali was one of the best heavyweights of all time however a 3 year lay off is a long time for any athlete and critics wondered if maybe he should have picked an easier opponent for his comeback fight...  Ali entered with an unblemished 29-0 record.

Quarry, puzzled by Ali's unorthodox style and unwilling to commit himself, was unable to launch an effective attack. About all he could do was counter with winging left hooks, most of which missed or were brushed off, although he did land one solid punch—a right hand to the body in the second round.  At the half way point of round 3 Ali landed with a solid right hand that opened a bad cut above Quarry's left eye forcing Quarry's corner to stop the fight between rounds 3 and 4.  Ali had won on his return, and by KO no less, however this was not the same bouncy Muhammad Ali of the 60's...

Quarry would eventually get his rematch with Ali in 1972 however this Ali had shaken off any ring rust he may have had during their first encounter and dominated Quarry from the opening bell, eventually stopping Quarry by 7th round TKO.  If fans felt Quarry was finished after losing to Ali for a second time then they were very wrong as Quarry went on a 6 fight winning streak which included a dominant unanimous decision over undefeated Ron Lyle, and then stopping hard-hitting Earnie Shaver's by impressive 1st round TKO, the quickest loss of Shaver's career.  In 1974 Quarry got a rematch with Joe Frazier but was once again stopped by TKO due to a cut.  In 1975 Quarry fought Ken Norton for the vacant NABF Heavyweight title and although Quarry started strong, Norton came back stronger and opened multiple cuts on Quarry's face forcing another TKO stoppage.  Quarry initially retired following the loss but returned almost 3 years later in a winning effort against future world title challenger, Lorenzo Zannon, stopping him in the 9th round.  Quarry retired again but made surprise returns in 1983 and 1992 as a cruiserweight.  He retired with a 53-9-4 record and is one of the best fighters to never have won a title.

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