THE ZORA FOLLEY STORY: by brian zelley
Zora Folley - Boxer
^ When we visit the llife and times of the boxer
Zora Bell Folley, there is much to talks about
beyond the boxing ring from his service in
the Korean War, to his stint in politics, and
the memorial park in Chandler< Arizona
named the Zora Folley Memorial Park.
As a professional boxer, he would be a top
contender for many years, but did not
receive a title shot until the end days
of his boxing journey in 1967.
Sadly, the life of Zora Folley came to a tragic end when he
was injured in a swimming pool, and died shortly after in
the hopital. And, he is now one of the lost warriors.
Zora's zone in the world of pro boxing:
* During his boxing journey, Folley would have some great wins over
many of the top rated boxer including Canada's Bob Cleroux. And,
his 1967 title shot was against Cassius Clay/ Muhammad Ali.
Pride and Respect: Zora Folley and Muhammad Ali:
* There is no doubt what so ever, that there was mutual respect
between the veteran Zora Folley and the champ Ali when they
squared off in the ring. And, this memory was recalled by
Zora Folley Jr. when as a 14 year old he endured the pain
of the loss, but was spoken to by Ali himself.
A son remembers
with pride as
reported in the
"Arizona Central".
Looking back at the ring record:
From the mid-fifties until 1970, Zora faced some of the
best boxers such as:
Nino Valdes, Wayne Bethea, Art Swiden, Eddie Machen, Joe Bygraves,
Henry Cooper, Doug Jones, Ernie Terrell, George Chuvalo, Sonny Liston,
and Muhammad Ali, and many more.
Al Bummy Davis - Boxer
The rise and fall of Bummy Davis: by Brian Zelley
Al Davis, nee Abraham Davidson, was a Brooklyn
born boxer that made his pro debut at Ridgewood
Grove in Brooklyn during 1937 and in his last
year of boxing, Davis would face Rocky Graziano
in New Yorks Madison Square Gardens.
* But beyond the ring wars, Davis would meet a
tragic end, and the following headline would
appear in the November 25, 1945 issue of the
"New York Times" as follows:
"Davis, Boxer, Slain Resisting Hold-Up"
One can also read part of his story in the link:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Davis_(boxer_
Fighting many greats over the years
* during his years in the ring, Davis fought
a wide change of greats and near greats:
Tony Canzoneri, Tippy Larkin, Lou Ambers,
Bob Montgomery, Beau Jack, Henry Armstong
and Rocky Graziano.
England's own Randy Turpin
Introduction to Tragic Boxing Stories:
by Brian Zelley
"A river of tears, teardrop by lonely
teardrop, can never wash away the
pain of the loss of the potential, but.
we can remember them beyond tomorrow."
* It does not matter where we begin, as there
are hundreds of stories of the many fallen warriors.
Introduction of the many names:
Al "Bummy" Davis, Alex Arguello, Arturo Gatti,
Benny "Kid" Paret, Billy Bello, Billy Collins,
Billy Papke, Bobby Horn, Carlos Monzon,
Charles "Sonny" Liston, Chic Calderwood,
Chuck Robinson,
Davey Moore, Dick Tiger, Eddie Machen,
Ernie Schaaf, Esteban DeJesus, Frankie Campbell, Freddy Mills, Harry Greb,
Jack Johnson, James Schuler, Jerry Quarry, Johnny Owen, Lavern Roach,Lemuel Samuels,
Marcel Cerdan, Oscar Bonavena, Pancho Villa,
Randy Turpin, Rocky Marciano, Sonny Banks,
Stanley Ketchel, Tiger Flowers, Tyrone Everett
Vernon Forrest, Walt lngram, Wallace Smith,
Young Stribling and Zora Folley,
* Jerry Quarry, was a popular heavyweight
boxer, but through the passages of time, he
would die long before the light should of faded
to black. Also, his brother Mike Quarry died
long before he should have.
* Rocky was lost in a plane crash
while travelling to some engagement.
