Never ceases's to amaze me how people seem to think Jerry was some weaky punching bag,that everyone and their brother can walk on! George Foreman was one of the greatest natural Puncher's of alltime but who muscled Jerry around?? NO ONE! whoever really out brawled him ( Frazier twice) How many big intimadating sluggers did Jerry beat ? Spencer the number #1 contender (32-5), Buster Mathis (29-1) and ranked sixth! Mac Foster ranked number #1 and then record (24-0, 24 knockouts) UNDEFEATED THIRD RANKED RON LYLE (19-0 W/ 17 KO). AND KO KING SHAVERS (46-2 45 KNOCKOUTS AND 34 IN A ROW) Quarry barely lost a round in these fites!
This. Quarry may well lose, and I wouldn't favor him. But how much more would the guy have to do to show that he's good against huge punchers?
On paper Quarry stands a good chance, and his performances against Lyle, Mac Foster, and Shavers would suggest that he has the tools and skills to pull an upset. But in an actual fight, I see George catching him early and George getting a stoppage after a short but furious brawl. Foreman weathers Quarry's punches better than the reverse. Still, it is a fight that could have happened and should have happened. Ironically, as impressive as Quarry's resume is, he never fought for the undisputed title, only two shots at fragmented versions.
Quarry would get in some fine shots. But Foreman would have bullied the hell out of him, putting him in range for the big shots. A very game but doomed Quarry is getting knocked all over the ring and stopped in 4.
So true, against Jimmy Ellis on April 27 1968 in Oakland, California and against Smoking Joe Frazier on June 23 1969 in Madison Square Garden.