Zora Folley vs. Jerry Quarry

Depends on which version of each fighter shows up but i lean slightly towards Quarry. Folley could be so maddeningly timid, just waiting waiting waiting that i could see the aggressive quarry taking it to him and stopping him or outhustling him and i could see the counterpunching quarry forcing folley out of his comfort zone by making him attack quarry on the ropes and get chewed up by counters. Its intriguing and a tough call but a slight nod to quarry.

 

I can see this scenario unfolding, agree this is intriguing, and will take a view divergent from a poster I respect enormously and lean it towards Folley.

Zora would be rightfully cautious here, as Jerry could hurt him, while I don't know that Folley's power would pose the same threat to JQ. Zora's reach advantage and straight punching could be critical here, and I think he'd pace and lead Jerry into boring and cautious mode.

Folley would be the one determining which version of JQ showed up, I suspect. Jerry was in both barn-burners and dull bouts. For me, ring generalship would be crucial here, and I consider Zora to be much the superior in that category. He'd turn it into something of a snoozefest by boxing from long range. The final bell would be the alarm clock waking JQ up from his nap, to find he'd lost the decision during his sleep.

Bob Foster gushed, "Zora Folley taught me how to box!" Jerry, I believe, would become yet another pupil.

 

Bonavena and Cooper beat Zora in the rematch. Quarry would beat the too-hesitant Zora.

 

I think Quarry would decision Folley....and Eddie Machen was a better fighter than Folley.

 

Could go either way; IMO Jerry's (who I love) punching power was a tad overrated so unless he lands a 'clean' one early in the round, this one goes the distance.
Machen beat a 'green' Quarry who could always be outboxed (for the most part) so the HTH matchups don't play in here.
Probably a close decision either way all particulars considered.

 

Where you did note a "past prime Machen clearly out pointed Quarry", you conveniently left out the part that Quarry was only 20 years old. Maybe you should have stated "a past prime Machen clearly out pointed a "20 year old, not yet ready for prime time" Quarry.

And yes, you guessed it, I pick Quarry over Foley.

 

Great point! Quarry was only 20 when he fought a man who had easily gone the distance with Liston!

 

Both men were excellent heavyweight contenders, and Zora Folley I think gets underrated around here. He was ranked by ring for a combined 11 years if I recall. I think overall however, Quarry defeated a better list of heavyweights while Zora also lost to some lesser tier opponents more often than Jerry Did. Of course Folley also defeated men who conquered Quarry such as Machen and Chuvalo, but the timing of some of these fights also has to be factored into the equation.. While Jerry wasn't the most durable guy in the world, Folley didn't have much power behind him and could be stopped pretty easily himself. Its a tough call but my inclination is to lean towards the Irish Bellflower Belter.

 

Cooper beat Folley in 1958, almost 10 years before Zora's fight with Ali.

 

It's an intriguing fight between two fairly evenly matched opponents. I imagine Folley would handle fighting a fellow counter puncher better than Quarry, who was a warrior at heart and happier fighting big slugger types that he could pick off. He might get frustrated if Folley makes it a snoozer.

Then again, Folley's chin was suspect and if men like Lavorante and Jones could KO him so could Quarry. Most of Quarry's defeats were against men who were or would be world champions, whereas Folley could be upset (and sometimes knocked out) by lower rung fighters. An edge to Quarry but really it's a pick 'em fight.