Jerry Quarry v Mac Foster

Isn't that always the case with the big hitter ko guys? They never do seem to come back close to the early destroyer versions after that initial defeat.Y
The combo punching ko guys handle losses better.

You old enough to recall those Liston sparring stories regarding Mac? Really probably put undue pressure on him and certainly big expectations. Mac also did well against Muhammad Ali. Bought I think anyway, it was one of those stay busy type fights for Ali when he would show up with just his B game and still get those wins. What an under rated skill that is.

 

Mac and Ken Norton fought in the amatuers, as both were in the military, with having Kenny's number.

 

Mac was a class guy after the fight (watch the ring interview). He also attended Quarry's funeral.

 

I’ve watched clips of that fight but never saw the whole thing. Foster looked in great shape and had some good movement and power. It’s a shame he never materialized to become more

 

I dont believe they ever fought. They may have sparred but Kenny didnt start boxing until late 1964 or early 1965. His first amateur boxing match was in January 1965 and his first major tournament was the All Marine tournament in March 1965. He took the heavyweight title and Foster took the Light Heavyweight title. Right after that tournament Foster was shipped off to Vietnam for two tours and when he returned he turned pro. So there was only three months where their amateur careers overlapped during most of which Foster was fighting as a light heavy. None of Norton's amateur fights during that time were against Foster. If Foster did have Kenny's number in sparring during that time it makes sense considering Norton never laced on a glove before late 64/early 65 while Foster had been boxing for at least a few years more, having started boxing while stationed in Okinawa.

 

Quarry looked bouncy. Foster looked stiff.

 

I went down a bit of a rabbit hole due to this thread and read that Mac Foster was sparring Liston and dropped him. Liston gave him a hiding a couple of days later. Would've been fun to watch!

 

Given the career that did unpack for him it’s amazing that Ken didn’t lace up at all until he was about 21 - though at the time and until the end of his career he reported himself as 2 years younger.

He turned pro in 67 didn’t he, so already getting on for around 24 yo by then? Of course Ken was an all round athlete and likely could’ve turned to a few other sports with at least fair success if not equal to the successes he enjoyed in boxing.

Conversely, Ali ate, drank and slept boxing since the age of 12 - no other sporting endeavours/pursuits to speak of.

Even so, Ken became Ali’s nightmare/bogeyman and he even stole the ladies’ attention away from Ali - which I’m guessing only served to tick off Ali even more. Lol.

 

Better fight then I remembered it.

 

I like the way Quarry softenes up Foster with left hooks to the body