Ali v Quarry 2.....underrated performance?

I agree. This was one of Ali's best career performances. Underrated for sure.

 

I think most rate this as one of his best post exile, so I wouldn't say it's underrated.

It was around this time that the timing would have been just right for an Ali-Frazier rematch.

 

On the face of it, yes, but through no fault of Ali, Quarry had just seen Mike poleaxed.
Hardly conducive, to follow that with a vintage performance from Jerry.

 

Although Muhammad Ali was not in 1967 peak dorm, he did look better in this rematch with Jerry Quarry. I believe he called this match, The Soul Brothers vs The Quarry Brothers. Mike, Jerry's younger brother was fighting Bob Foster for the World Light Heavyweight Title. Foster stopped Mike Quarry early to retain his title. I saw both fights on ABC's Wide World Of Sports a week later. Ali was very sharp that night, I won a $10.00 bet that night with a classmate.

 

Ali dwarfs Quarry in height, reach, speed, etc. By this time in Quarry's career (ONLY 27 years old) he looked like a guy who didn't live and train like an athlete. If you watch the Quarry vs. Miteff fight when Quarry was 21 years old he looked completely different physically, and athletically. I don't think any version of Quarry could have tested Ali, but Quarry like he was for this fight had no chance at all.

 

Ali had upped his defense so much by this point in his career, a diamond chin and body, cracking his defense was such a tumultuous task that I don't think any contender would've been up to. It wasn't impenetrable, but without a serious game plan and supreme focus I don't think it could be done.

 

It also showed Ali at his most merciful. Watch the final minutes. He could have punished him for trying to lift him out of the ring in the first round but he didnt.

 

that's one reason why he was 1972's fighter of the year

 

One of Muhammad's best post-exile performances along with the second Norton and Frazier fights plus the Foreman bout.
Ali was one step ahead of Quarry all the way through the bout. No matter what Jerry tried,Muhammad had an answer for it.

 

A side note, the tape coming off Ali’s glove at the 6th makes for one of my favorite rounds. Seeing the tape zip through the air as he landed flurries on Quarry makes for a pretty cool visual imo, additionally it’s probably one of my favorite rounds Ali ever fought.

 

That’s true Tock - that vision has always stayed with me. Like a gymnast holding a streamer to follow their artistic moves - Ali’s “streamer”being a loose glove lace.

 

I always thought it was an excellent performance but perhaps didn’t give it the dues it deserved in view of the physical advantages Ali held straight out of the gates. Warrants a rewatch for me.

 

I couldn't agree more Pugg, the difference between the first and second bouts is stark as night and day. It could be argued Quarry had suffered a decline to some extent but really I think Ali has just made a tremendous advance in getting rid of his ring rust.

 

There wouldn't be much of an argument (regarding Quarry's decline) given that the year following this fight (1973) was arguably the the best year of Quarry's career.

1973 was one of the only years in his entire career where Quarry didn't lose or draw in a fight. And he defeated Neumann, Lyle, Woody, Doyle and Shavers (two of the most notable wins in his career).

The only guy Quarry lost to from the start of 1970 to the end of 1973 was Muhammad Ali.

It was a great, focused performance by Ali. (Although, somebody should've brought a pair of scissors to cut that tape.)