Zora Folley vs. Willie Besmanoff (1st meeting)

Zora Folley 194 lbs beat Willi Besmanoff 198 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1959-04-07
• Location: Coliseum, Denver, Colorado, USA
• Referee: Joe Ullmer

"Third ranked heavyweight Zora Folley is looking overseas for his next opponent after dusting off Willie Besmanoff in a 10 rounder Tuesday night. Besmanoff absorbed everything Folley could throw and wavered only once on his stocky legs. That was in a furious closing attack when Folley tried to floor him in the 10th. Folley won a unanimous decision from the two judges and referee. Folley was never in trouble. He started Willie's nose bleeding in the 5th and opened a mouth cut in the 6th. Some in the Coliseum started booing in the 7th and 8th rounds for action. Folley stepped up the pace in the 9th and capped the fight with his furious closing attack." -Associated Press

• Attendance - 3,975
• Gate - $15,884

Post fight comments

• "The best heavyweight around except for Patterson." -Willie Besmanoff on Folley

• "I think I should have knocked him out, but he takes a good punch." -Zora Folley on Besmanoff