Jerry Quarry Ranked Top Ten

I would like a prime Quarry's chances against a prime Norton.

 

To be clear on the Quarry-Norton thing, a buddy of mine regularly watched a more prime Quarry school Ken Norton at the Main St. Gym in L.A. all the time. In one session he witnessed Quarry knocking Norton cold. This was not unusual to any denizens of the gym because Quarry was hard on sparring partners. He never took it easy on them and that includes his little brother Mike. One particular episode in the gym he watched Jerry sparring with Ray 'Windmill' White and he said it was odd for Jerry that he seemed to be taking it easy on Ray which was out of character for him. Until, of course, Windmill embarrassed Jerry with his patented 'Behind-the-back' punch, which caused Jerry to see red and tear into Ray's body. He left Ray in a heap with broken ribs. But I digress. My point is, the younger, sharper Quarry owned Norton. I will also say, however, that their primes did not coincide.

 

Was this the reason that Norton disliked Quarry so much before their 75 fight?

 

Lighten up dude, just playing around. Are you suggesting you are old enough to be my Dad?

 

People take these gym stories too serious as well. Here's a few quick ones-

Norton got the best of Frazier and Ali. Frazier got the best of Norton. Tillery, Page, and McCall got the best of Tyson. Mercer got the best of McCall. Holyfield got the best of Tua but Gary Bell got the best of Holyfield!!!

A pro fight is much different than sparring in a gym.

 

I am under the impression that Jerry and Joe Frazier shared a mutual respect. Do you know much about their interactions?

 

Depends on which gym. Angelo Dundee used to wince just watching some sessions in Philly gyms.

 

Exactly. Curtis Parker used to beat up Michael Spinks in sparring. Which one is in the Hall of Fame? The guys who leave it all in the gym tend to fall by the wayside in the pros.

 

Big gloves, headgear (with more protection than amateur headgear), and a comfortable environment... it's much different than a pro fight.

Ever notice that very often it's the guy you don't expect that does better in these "gym wars"? That's because the Champ has nothing to prove, it's sparring, not a prize fight.

 

:thumbsupReally interesting stuff scartissue.

 

Never heard of Norton getting the best of Frazier in sparring.

 

Jerry Quarry was the boxer who took part in FOTY 1969 who defeated Ron Lyle, Mac Foster, Floyd Patterson & Earnie Shavers. who champion George Foreman avoided. Quarry was voted the most popular fighter in the world 1968,69 & 70... other than Tyson & Holyfield, i would fancy Jerry Quarry to have little problems beating every heavyweight of the last 25yrs. including Lewis & Klitschko