Jerry Quarry - One of the Last Great Contenders of boxing

Jerry Quarry - One of the Last Great Contenders of boxing

"He's got the heart of a Rottweiler"

-Joey Orbillo

"Irish" Jerry Quarry was born May 15th, 1945 in Bakersfield, California. Quarry grew up in a blue collar Irish American family and endured a "Grapes of Wraith" like childhood growing up in central California. He rose to boxing prominence in 1965 after winning the National Golden Gloves heavyweight crown. Professional boxing offered the opportunity for a better life and he turned pro in May of 1965 by decisioning Gene Hamilton. During his first year as a professional, Quarry was held to draws with Tony Doyle and Tony Alongi and would suffer his first defeat against Eddie Machen in July of 1966. Vastly more experienced, Mached toyed and laughed at Quarry throughout their bout. Quarry was exhausted by the fifth and almost stopped by his veteran foe in the tenth round. "That taught me a lesson," Quarry said after the defeat. "Eddie didn't outfight me, he out conditioned me. I figured if an old guy like that can make me look like a guy with a limp, it was time to wise up." Quarry needed more seasoning and started training under the tutelage of Teddy Bentham. He immediately got back on the winning track but almost encountered a detour in Memphis Al Jones. Jones managed to floor Quarry in a rematch of an encounter that took place two years prior. "Knocked me down twice in the third round," Quarry said. "Hit me so hard I didn't even remember coming back to knock him out." In June of 1967, Quarry would take on his greatest test yet in former champion Floyd Patterson. Patterson was installed as the 7-5 favorite but Quarry was unmoved. "I don't think the fight will go 10 rounds and I think I'll knock him out," Quarry predicted.

To read more of the Quarry bio, check out The Last Great Contenders.

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