Yea Quarry can only knock out Mac Foster, Earnie Shavers, Thad Spencer , tough guy "Scrap Iron" Johnson. Hold Ron Lyle at bay (should've Asked Lyle who can hit?) and Norton colder than Alaska while sparring, Quarry beat more top ten contenders than any other heavyweight besides Ali & Frazier (1966-75) 'iron chinned' Norton should never worry. Whats with boxing 24 ?
You'd have to wonder why Norton fought him then. Quarry tho aged had still only lost to Ali and Frazier in the previous half decade. When was this sparring occurring? It's well documented Norton lacked focus and confidence early career before turning the corner.
I'm thinking 1970- -1972 TIMELINE Ernie and Danny Lopez told me, but anybody at main street gym was common knowledge. I did not grill the Lopez brothers, for they were working! Why did Norton fight Quarry? 1) THE MONEY AND 2) Quarry had too many wars and was close to hanging them up 3) promotion was originally set for Foreman vs Bonavena Norton vs Bonavena, Norton vs Young So you see Norton did not really have a say, Quarry came to the rescue of the MSG Promotion.
JERRY 'S WHOLE CAREER HE WAS MOST KNOWN AS A PUNCHER A SLUGGER, WHEN DID HE NOT HAVE A PUNCH, SUDDENLY HE'S A POWDER PUNCHING PUSHOVER ON BOXING 24 HERE!- YET JOE BUGNER IS THE BEST THING SINCE JELLY BUTTER BREAD! NORTON DID NOT TAKE A PUNCH ANY BETTER THAN Shavers! And Quarry cannot hurt Norton , this is absured !!!
I remember reading in SI (?) that Quarry had really bad back problems going into this fight and should have pulled out but his father made him go thru with it. All of this is from my rather shoddy at the time memory (been up almost 24 hours after fishing trip)..
Quarry wasn't anywhere near his best the night they fought. He got his butt kicked. At his peak 69-73 he would give Kenny trouble. I think it's close enough that it could be a series of fights. Norton had that jab and that would be a problem for Jerry. He cut. On the other hand Quarry would be a threat to KO Norton with a snappy lefthook. They both had quick hands. Quarry the better chin. I would lay off this fight.
This content is protected that may have played a part in Ken's thinking. I dontd think Jerry was a racist but the way he talked there could lead one that direction.
Norton said in his book that Quarry was his "perfect fight". He did say Quarry landed a good left hook in the first round that stung him. He didn't like Quarry and I think the feeling is mutual. Although Norton was almost 2 years older than Quarry, Norton was still in his prime while Jerry was past his. Quarry was destroyed by Frazier in their rematch, a fight that oddly he was favored to win, and at 207 he was overweight. Not taking anything away from Norton, but Quarry was a shot fighter. If Quarry was a few years younger, I don't know if he would have won, but it would have been a more competitive fight. Norton was a very cerebral fighter, he was overconfident against Garcia the first time and paid for it, while against Foreman, Shavers and Cooney was intimidated and blown out quickly. I think Norton knew Quarry was past it, trained very hard, got a few tips from his pal Joe Frazier and like Norton said fought the "perfect fight."
It's funny because Kenny was a bit racist himself .. I remember him interviewed before the Bobick fight saying that he was getting himself all pumped to fight Bobick by watching and rewatching tape of "Roots" .. as far as Quarry being racist who knows but he certainly showed zero fear of anyone .. prime for prime not sure .. Quarry guys swear Quarry but as said multiple times here it's a matter of Jerry at his best hurting Kenny and if he didn't do it to any old, much smaller Patterson I"m not sold ..
Quarry obviously has more chance in his pomp. Whether that chance equates to winning is debatable. I do think Quarry is a much underrated puncher. Both are on that level a bit below the top.
Prime vs prime, Quarry beats Norton. Quarry was simply a better fighter, had a better chin, better movement, better inside fighter and bigger heart. Quarry would have dug dozens of left hooks into Norton beautiful body, draining Norton of his strength and likley stopping Norton. I am surprised so many think Quarry would not be able to hurt Norton. Quarry would be able to stun Norton and when he did he would be on him like white on rice. To me the "gray" area of this fight would if Quarry was cut early and badly.
Hi Seamus I believe thats the Jimmy Ellis 1968 WBA title fight, where Jerry fought 15 rounds with a broken vertabra in his back The Ken Norton shindig, Jerry took on 15 days notice.
