Ive heard several say this film exists. Some even claim to have it. I have my doubts after some extensive research and discussions with both families and other well connected collectors. Im curious what others here have to say on this film or stories they have heard in relation to it.
they don't have it. mathis' family doesn't either and neither does the espn/jacobs/cayton collection which purchased the madison sq. garden film archive.
Hmm...even if neither family had it, I thought they might have heard something about a possible source. "Each fighter was guaranteed $50,000 against 25% of the net receipts and TV monies." Who televised this? Would that be separate from the MSG film archive? http://boxrec.com/media/index.php?title=Fight:39025
The only person I know who has claimed to own this fight is a poster by the name of StingerKarl on the old CBZ board who I am sure you are familiar with. I was in the process of organizing a trade for that footage about two years ago and everything was agreed upon until suddenly I never heard from him again, and so the story ends.
i think i might have saw the KNOCKOUT on that quarry documentary covering his career but i might be wrong
Im not prepared to call bull**** on anyone yet, in regards to Quarry-Mathis. But there do seem to be some conflicting stories about the fight, and reason to believe it doesnt exist.
spoke to buster mathis jr.............it does not exist....although antoine lafluer claims he has it....LOL
I recall someone claiming that Mathis' family had it but they wouldn't release it. Similar story to the Danny Lopez v Sean O'Grady fight that O'Grady won't release - apparently.
WOR-TV (Channel 9, New York) had the rights to broadcast fights at Madison Square Garden. As they covered the New York Knicks basketball. Since this was a Monday night fight (March 24, 1969), they may very well have at least, highlights of this fight in their archives. Can't imagine there was no film footage of this fight, or at least highlights.
I just had a nice conversation with someone intimately involved with MSG collection and after hearing the ins and outs of it Im fairly confident that the film doesnt exist. Pretty depressing.
Assuming the bout was televised, there is probably footage somewhere, unless for some reason, the only existing film reel was destroyed. Probably better off searching for the holy grayle though... If the Madison square garden archive has nothing, then chances are its not going to be found.