Zora Folley and Eddie Machen

[Trajan]

This post is dedicated to two fighters, Zora Folley and Eddie Machen, who seemed linked together in life as well as in death. They were born (1932) within a short time of each other and, somewhat like Tiger Flowers and Harry Greb, were opponents who also died within a similarly short time (Records lists Folley's obit 7/00/72, whatever the exact date, and Machen's death as 8/8/72). From what I've heard, Machen was more of a brawler than Folley (the "stylist") but will let others weigh in on that.

They were both legitimate contenders for Floyd Patterson's heavyweight title during the late 1950's. But, whether through Cus D'Amato's (stated) desire to avoid co-promoting with Jim Norris, D'Amato's and Patterson's simply ducking Folley and Machen, or a combination of both, neither got a title shot at that time. Their fight with each other, a supposed eliminator, ended (fittingly) in a draw which unfortunately led to D'Amato saying both were then "eliminated" from title shots. They did fight one other time, with Folley (perhaps surprisingly given both their records against others) getting the decision.

As far as Folley's other notable fights go, he did finally get a title shot vs. Muhammad Ali in 1967. Folley was KO'd in 7, he was also KO'd in 3 by Sonny Liston in 1960. There was also a lost decision to Ernie Terrell in 1963.

Machen never fought Ali, though he did get in the ring with Joe Frazier. That was a 1966 TKO loss in 10 for Eddie, though he usually went the distance even when losing. For example, he was able to last 12 rounds with Liston in 1960 (something few could do) while Sonny won on points. And when Machen finally did get to fight Patterson, in 1964, he again lost in 12 on points. Even his one title, or "partial title," bout was a (15 round) decision loss...to Terrell in 1965 (does anyone here recall Terrell-Machen? Was it close?). Eddie did win a points decision, against Jerry Quarry, in 1966 (again, does anyone remember Machen-Quarry? I've heard some say Quarry should have won it). But Machen got KO'd in 1 against Johansson, a fight which certainly would have led to a title shot vs. Patterson (as it did for Ingo). So, for Eddie Machen, it seemed mostly a matter of bad timing. Just in general couldn't win those big fights when he needed to.

Still, two fighters worth remembering.

Anthony

[Trajan]

I tend to agree with some of what terap wrote, mostly about D'Amato, but disagree with some of the rest.

In the event, does terap or anyone else have memories of the Machen-Quarry fight? I've heard it was very close, perhaps more than that (in Quarry's favor), anyone? Similarly, anyone recall the Terrell-Machen "partial title" bout? What was the scoring, any highlights, impressions etc?

Anthony