BoxRec

Michael Spinks (Beats Spinks)

Jerry Quarry (Beats Quarry)

Jimmy Young (Beats Young)

Jimmy Ellis (Beats Ellis)

Floyd Patterson ( THe fact he never fought Patterson makes me think D'amato thought he'd give Patterson trouble)

Ken Norton (Beats Norton in a SD)

Larry Holmes (Loses a UD)

Joe Frazier (Joe walks through his punches like he did Jimmy Ellis' and knocks him out in five)

I agree with your picks besides Norton, who I believe would knock Folley out.

dempseyfire wrote:I agree with your picks besides Norton, who I believe would knock Folley out.

Sixties was a great era in boxing as was the seventies.

I think this guy was under rated. I'm inclined to agree with your picks though I think Jerry Quarry would beat him.

I think he beats the first four, but it wouldn't be easy, or any sure thing. Tough to call against Patterson. The next three, IMO, all get him --- Norton & Frazier, inside the distance.

I remember as a boy back in March, 1967 watching Folley take on Ali at MSQ on national TV. It was Ali's last fight before his exile. Folley didn't impress me, but his best days were definitely past. He seemed slow and plodding and my feeling was that Ali could have put him away most any time. Folley had given Ali a lot of respect before the fight and I think he (Folley) was grateful for a decent payday.

Holmes, Frazier, and Norton definitely beat him. Quarry and Patterson most likely beat him.

Folley vs Jimmy Young would have had the possibility of being an all-time snoozefest.

yancey wrote:I remember as a boy back in March, 1967 watching Folley take on Ali at MSQ on national TV. It was Ali's last fight before his exile. Folley didn't impress me, but his best days were definitely past. He seemed slow and plodding and my feeling was that Ali could have put him away most any time. Folley had given Ali a lot of respect before the fight and I think he (Folley) was grateful for a decent payday.

Man sold me an 1973 Chevy Van in Phoenix Az. Truly a good human being. And yep past his prime by that time.

BoxBuzz wrote:

yancey wrote:I remember as a boy back in March, 1967 watching Folley take on Ali at MSQ on national TV. It was Ali's last fight before his exile. Folley didn't impress me, but his best days were definitely past. He seemed slow and plodding and my feeling was that Ali could have put him away most any time. Folley had given Ali a lot of respect before the fight and I think he (Folley) was grateful for a decent payday.

Man sold me an 1973 Chevy Van in Phoenix Az. Truly a good human being. And yep past his prime by that time.

I think Zora bought a house with the purse from the Ali fight.

He did come across as a gentle soul. Sad that he passed early. Not sure, but there might have been some controversy about the way he died.

no no no...folley bought that house with the money boxbuzz paid him for that clapped out chevy. zora, as the saying goes, saw buzz coming from a mile away.

Folley was a great ring technician. I think he deserved the nod vs Cooper the first time. The way in which he handled a young Bonavena was awesome . . he pretty much took Oscar apart, and that was when Zora was already a little past it. Incredible counter-puncher and 'thinker' in the ring. His biggest drawback was an unreliable chin, which resulted in a few upset knockouts, notably to Lavorante and Doug Jones (in a great fight).

harrygreb wrote:no no no...folley bought that house with the money boxbuzz paid him for that clapped out chevy. zora, as the saying goes, saw buzz coming from a mile away.

Yep, makes sense.

ThatOne wrote:Michael Spinks (Beats Spinks)

Jerry Quarry (Beats Quarry)

Jimmy Young (Beats Young)

Jimmy Ellis (Beats Ellis)

Floyd Patterson ( THe fact he never fought Patterson makes me think D'amato thought he'd give Patterson trouble)

Ken Norton (Beats Norton in a SD)

Larry Holmes (Loses a UD)

Joe Frazier (Joe walks through his punches like he did Jimmy Ellis' and knocks him out in five)

IMO, Folley was a 1st-rate talent whose lack of durability kept him from becoming a great fighter. He was quick, clever, had excellent defensive skills, and could hit with authority from both sides. But, he could be worn down and he didn't have the greatest chin.

Against these guys, I see it like this:

--Could go either way v. M. Spinks, though I give Spinks the slightest of edges.

--Wins close decision over Quarry due to styles; Quarry the better overall fighter.

--Loses close decision to Young; but really could go either way.

--Loses close decision to Ellis; but really could go either way..

--Patterson waxes him big time; D'Amato need not have worried.

--Pundits are fond of pointing out that Norton gave 'boxers' trouble but they troubled him too. I like Norton to come on toward the end and stop Folley after Folley runs out of gas. Until that point, though, the fight is dead even.

--Holmes wins an easy UD; too big, too strong, too fast, too tough, too everything.

--Frazier runs right over him.

I always thought Folley would have edged Cleveland Williams had the two ever fought.