Poche Pictures
e-mail: rich@pochepictures.com
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“He’s got the heart of a Rottweiler”
-Joey Orbillo
“Irish” Jerry Quarry was born May 15th, 1945 in Bakersfield, California.
Quarry came from 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, Machen toyed and laughed at Quarry
throughout their bout. Quarry was exhausted by the fifth round and almost
stopped by his veteran foe in the tenth.
“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 sternest 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, please consider purchasing “The Last Great
Contenders.”
| The LAST GREAT CONTENDERS Heavyweights of the 1970s $19.95 |
| "The Fight Life" Boxing Documentary $14.99 |
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