What is Jerry Quarry Famous for?

[greynotsoold]

People forget about jerry Quarry...He was the first to win the National AAU tournament with 5 kos. He was figured to be a shoo-in for the Olympic team but he turned pro at 18. Early on he was in tough fights with other prospects, Tony Doyle for example. A lot of boxing people felt that he should have waited to turn pro, and that the hard fights early took a lot out of him (and Doyle).

Quarry could really fight, and he could box, and he wasn't afraid. If the price was right and you had the money, he'd fight anybody or anything. People that were in the main Street gym in LA talk about him routinely handling Ken Norton and knocking him out in sparring at least once. They reckon that him losing to norton was a once in a lifetime event, and that it only happened because Quarry was over the hill and didn't take the fight seriously.

There is the story about him on the LA-area sports talk show, hosted by Jim Healy, with Deacon Jones. Jones had just won (been runner up?) as MVP of the NFL. He said that he was such a natural athelete that he would excel at any sport. He sneered at Quarry and said "Even boxing." Quarry jumped up and said "Get out of the chair then and I'll kick your ass right here." They went to commercial and, when they came back, Jones was gone and Quarry did his interview.

Some of that is why Jerry Quarry was famous.

[Scott9945]

People forget about jerry Quarry...He was the first to win the National AAU tournament with 5 kos. He was figured to be a shoo-in for the Olympic team but he turned pro at 18. Early on he was in tough fights with other prospects, Tony Doyle for example. A lot of boxing people felt that he should have waited to turn pro, and that the hard fights early took a lot out of him (and Doyle).

Quarry could really fight, and he could box, and he wasn't afraid. If the price was right and you had the money, he'd fight anybody or anything. People that were in the main Street gym in LA talk about him routinely handling Ken Norton and knocking him out in sparring at least once. They reckon that him losing to norton was a once in a lifetime event, and that it only happened because Quarry was over the hill and didn't take the fight seriously.

There is the story about him on the LA-area sports talk show, hosted by Jim Healy, with Deacon Jones. Jones had just won (been runner up?) as MVP of the NFL. He said that he was such a natural athelete that he would excel at any sport. He sneered at Quarry and said "Even boxing." Quarry jumped up and said "Get out of the chair then and I'll kick your ass right here." They went to commercial and, when they came back, Jones was gone and Quarry did his interview.

Some of that is why Jerry Quarry was famous.

I met Quarry a few times and absolutely believe that to be true. He could stare a hole through you.

[A_Jeffrey]

If he's "undersized today" who has the talent today to beat him?
This size thing in the heavyweight division is a joke. Its true without the Klitz bros size they would be ordinary average guys but to say that a heavy is "undersized" is ridiculous! Talent wins fights not size alone!
Mike Tyson was 5'9" when he was the champ, the big goofy russian 7' dork was a champion of some BS federation too! They come in all size and no one size is dominate! Get off the size thing this is boxing not ****!
Ray

A good big man always beats a good little man, wasn't it Bowe who said that?
Height and weight are very important in boxing.
If talent is everything then why do they have weight classes?

[Anthony342]

Unfortunately, to most boxing fans not in the know and aware of history, Jerry Quarry is known to them as just one of the guys that Ali beat. Too bad, as he was a major contender for a lot of years.

[Trenchant]

Quarry was an American Badass who beat alot of great fighters but just didn't become champion.

[beez721]

A good big man always beats a good little man, wasn't it Bowe who said that?
Height and weight are very important in boxing.
If talent is everything then why do they have weight classes?

I agree. size does matter to an extent. the haye/valuev argument wasnt a good one becuz valuev is just not talented at all

[greynotsoold]

A good big man always beats a good little man, wasn't it Bowe who said that?
Height and weight are very important in boxing.
If talent is everything then why do they have weight classes?

That is a relative statement. Quarry would beat the daylight out of Michael Grant and he was 6'7" and 250. W Klit would probably keep Quarry at a distance and bust him up with the jab. But, if Quarry got past the jab and Wlad didn't grab him good enough, the left hook could change things.

[beez721]

That is a relative statement. Quarry would beat the daylight out of Michael Grant and he was 6'7" and 250. W Klit would probably keep Quarry at a distance and bust him up with the jab. But, if Quarry got past the jab and Wlad didn't grab him good enough, the left hook could change things.

I think whats hes saying is that the bigger guy has an advantage if they are equal in skill etc. quarry is just a much better fighter than grant so he could nullify the big size disadvantage. tell you this,,,,,if quarry had the same ability,,,toughness etc and was grants size hed have been greater than he was. size is definitely not everything but it sure doesnt hurt

[Ray Corso]

My point was that size isn't a deciding factor at the heavyweight mark. In fact its more of a factor at limit weight classes. Joe Louis at 6'2" 190 to 202 will be better and win more often than any heavy to date! He has less size than others but far more talent!
A_j "was it Bowe" I doubt Bowe ever said anything seriously quoteable!!
Comical yes but not serious. Thats like saying Wlad said "he could run but can't hide"! I like Wlad but he's never said anything interesting!

The Heavyweight class has NO Weight limits! Is an "Open Division"!
Size can be very important, just look at the Klitz Bros without their height they would be far less successfull. Ofcourse that has to do with horrible competition but I do believe if they were 6'1" their talents would not get them over against todays boxers. They'd do well but without height & reach and Manny teaching them how to half step back and keep foes at the end of their jabs along with "holding" their success would be far less! Ray

[SouthPawHitman]

Yeah....It was quite a sacrifice he made, very sad indeed. Its a hard issue to wax the ear philosophical about isn't it? I mean if he could do it all over again would he?

Man...That's a tough question. I think he would. That's just the kind of guy I think Jerry was.

That last fight really done him in.

"There's no quit in a Quarry"