have gone the distance with Frazier, if the fight had not been stopped by the cuts, as Jerry claimed in a post fight interview? He also claimed Frazier didn't hit as hard as Jimmy Ellis. I don't buy either claim.
I don't think Quarry would have been knocked out cold, but the ref would have taken mercy on him and said 'nuf is enough. Ellis was a very crisp puncher, where Frazier had various versions of his thudding left hook. Frazier was a dreadnaught, where Ellis was just a battlecruiser.
No way is Quarry lasting the full 15. He didn't even make it half way through, and we all know Frazier gets a second and third wind. Frazier beat him up pretty good, and if not for the cut he would've beaten him horribly. Their second match was even more brutal, Quarry got mashed. Joe Frazier's one of the greatest heavyweights ever.
Been a while since i've seen it, but i remember Quarry being totally out of the fight for the last round or two. Mentally and physically beaten. Not as bad as in the second fight, but still pretty bad. Quarry was sluggish and to tired to defend himself properly. He would've been messed up even worse in the next round. Frazier was ready to go. One of his best nights.
