Description
Returning quickly after the loss to Frazier, Quarry won two bouts before meeting Canadian George Chuvalo on December 12, 1969. This bout against Chuvalo, then unranked, would be the subject of controversy. Quarry was well ahead, when in the 7th round, Chuvalo knocked Quarry down. Quarry rose at the count of four, then took a knee, presumably to take the rest, and when he jumped up at exactly at the count of ten, he found referee Zach Clayton ruled a KO. Pandemonium erupted as Quarry said he did not hear the count, understandably so as the count came only seconds before the round bell.
Jerry Quarry (May 15, 1945 – January 3, 1999), nicknamed “Irish” or “The Bellflower Bomber,” was an immensely popular American heavyweight boxer. Quarry was rated by Ring Magazine as the most popular fighter in the sport, 1968–1971, and was one of the biggest stars of arguably the greatest era in the history of the heavyweight division. In his career Quarry fought Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier (twice each), Earnie Shavers, Thad Spencer and Floyd Patterson. Jerry Quarry was inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995. His professional record was 53-9-4 with 32 KOs. He had been lauded by countless younger boxing stars as a true star of the sport and an inspiration. Said Joe Frazier: “A very tough man. He could have been a world champion, but cut too easily.
George Chuvalo was born on September 12, 1937 in Toronto, Canada. He won the Canadian Heavyweight Title but lost in his bout for the WBA Heavyweight Title. He fought Muhammad Ali (twice), George Foreman and Floyd Patterson, among others. His final record was 73-18-2 with 64 KO’s.
