Zora Folley

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Zora "Bell" Folley (May 27, 1931 – July 7, 1972) was an American heavyweight boxer who was a top 10 contender for eleven years in a row from 1956 to 1966 and a nine-time top 5 contender throughout his career, reaching a peak as number 1 contender in 1959.[1][2] He beat top contenders such as Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Oscar Bonavena, Henry Cooper, world light-heavyweight champion Bob Foster, Nino Valdez, Doug Jones, Johnny Summerlin, Bob Cleroux and drew (tied) against Karl Mildenberger.[3]

Folley fought once for the world heavyweight title, losing to Muhammad Ali.

Early life

Born in Dallas, Texas, on 27 May 1931, Folley moved with his family to Chandler, Arizona in 1942, where he grew up playing baseball. Upon joining the U.S. Army in 1948, he began boxing and won the 6th Army Championship within a year, going on to win the All-Army and All-Service titles. He saw active service during the Korean War, earning five battle stars, and was discharged from the U.S. Army with the rank of Sergeant in 1953.

Boxing career

In the mid-1950s Folley signed a professional boxing contract, winning his first pro-fight against Jimmy Ingram, then after a draw, won seventeen straight victories until losing to Johnny Summerlin in six rounds with a suspected broken jaw after being knocked down three times. Despite being considered a top contender, Folley never faced heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson. This was partly due to his points loss to Henry Cooper in England, in September 1958 (which was later avenged in December 1961 by a two-round knockout).

Major Bouts

Folley beat contenders Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Bob Cleroux (twice), Oscar Bonavena (the first match was one sided with Bonavena being decked but Bonavena won the rematch three years later) and Doug Jones. He also had draws with Karl Mildenberger and Eddie Machen (their first fight), and defeated Mike De John, Alex Miteff, Pete Rademacher and Willi Besmanoff. Between 1960 and 1962 Folley was knocked out by Sonny Liston, Alejandro Lavorante,Doug Jones (in the rematch) and outpointed by Brian London.

Title Shot

It was not until March 22, 1967, aged 36, that he faced world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Before their fight, Ali joked that Folley was such a nice man that it posed a real problem because he could not possibly get mad at him.[4] Folley was one of the first to call the champion by his Muslim name instead of Cassius Clay. Ali stated he respected Folley and was nervous before the match. Folley was the last man to face Ali before Ali's three-year exile from boxing in 1967. Folley was knocked out in the 7th round. Folley fought for three more years afterward before being knocked out by Mac Foster in 1970.

Personal life

Folley served as a member of the Chandler City Council, and raised a family of nine children with his wife Joella (1933–2011).

File:Mesa-Cemetery-City of Mesa Cemetery-Zora Folley-2.jpg
Grave of Zora Folley

In mysterious circumstancesScript error: No such module "Unsubst"., Folley suffered severe head injuries in a motel swimming pool while visiting a friend in Tucson, Arizona on July 8, 1972, and died at the age of 41 in a local hospital shortly afterwards. The death was officially ruled to be accidental. Folley's body was buried in the City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Arizona.

The city of Chandler dedicated Zora Folley Memorial Park in his honor.

Professional boxing record

79 Wins (44 knockouts, 35 decisions), 11 Losses (7 knockouts, 4 decisions), 6 Draws [5]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 79–11–6 Template:Flagicon Mac Foster KO 1 29/09/1970 Template:Flagicon Selland Arena, Fresno, California Folley knocked out at 3:04 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 79–10–6 Template:Flagicon Billy Joiner UD 10 05/11/1969 Template:Flagicon Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 78–10–6 Template:Flagicon Tommy Sims KO 1 16/06/1969 Template:Flagicon Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona Sims knocked out at 2:19 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 77–10–6 Template:Flagicon Sonny Moore TKO 4 30/01/1969 Template:Flagicon Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada Referee stopped the bout at 2:54 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 76–10–6 Template:Flagicon Oscar Bonavena MD 10 06/07/1968 Template:Flagicon Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
Template:DrawDraw 76–9–6 Template:Flagicon Al Jones SD 10 14/05/1968 Template:Flagicon Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida
Template:DrawDraw 76–9–5 Template:Flagicon Roger Russell SD 10 11/03/1968 Template:Flagicon Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia
Loss 76–9–4 Template:Flagicon Brian London PTS 10 13/11/1967 Template:Flagicon Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside
Win 76–8–4 Template:Flagicon Nick Sosa KO 2 04/10/1967 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 75–8–4 Template:Flagicon Wayne Kindred TKO 8 18/09/1967 Template:Flagicon Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 74–8–4 Template:Flagicon Muhammad Ali KO 7 22/03/1967 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City For WBC, WBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 74–7–4 Template:Flagicon Floyd Joyner KO 1 17/01/1967 Template:Flagicon Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Win 73–7–4 Template:Flagicon Jefferson Davis UD 10 13/12/1966 Template:Flagicon Houston, Texas
Win 72–7–4 Template:Flagicon Henry Clark UD 10 25/10/1966 Template:Flagicon Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California
Win 71–7–4 Template:Flagicon Jefferson Davis KO 8 28/06/1966 Template:Flagicon Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada
Win 70–7–4 Template:Flagicon Bob Foster UD 10 06/12/1965 Template:Flagicon New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana
Win 69–7–4 Template:Flagicon Oscar Bonavena UD 10 26/02/1965 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 68–7–4 Template:Flagicon Gerhard Zech KO 4 14/11/1964 Template:Flagicon Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia
Template:DrawDraw 67–7–4 Template:Flagicon Karl Mildenberger PTS 10 17/04/1964 Template:Flagicon Festhalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse
Win 67–7–3 Template:Flagicon Tod Herring TKO 7 17/03/1964 Template:Flagicon Houston, Texas Referee stopped the bout at 1:34 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 66–7–3 Template:Flagicon George Chuvalo UD 10 17/01/1964 Template:Flagicon Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio
Win 65–7–3 Template:Flagicon Billy Daniels UD 10 17/10/1963 Template:Flagicon Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
Win 64–7–3 Template:Flagicon Tiger Lynch KO 5 19/09/1963 Template:Flagicon Boise, Idaho Lynch knocked out at 1:49 of the fifth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 63–7–3 Template:Flagicon Ernie Terrell UD 10 27/07/1963 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City
Win 63–6–3 Template:Flagicon Bob Cleroux UD 10 23/05/1963 Template:Flagicon Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec
Template:DrawDraw 62–6–3 Template:Flagicon Dean Bogany TD 5 02/04/1963 Template:Flagicon Bakersfield Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California Fight stopped due to an accidental headbut.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 62–6–2 Template:Flagicon Doug Jones KO 7 15/12/1962 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, New York City Folley knocked out at 1:58 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 62–5–2 Template:Flagicon Dave Furch UD 10 19/11/1962 Template:Flagicon Tucson, Arizona
Win 61–5–2 Template:Flagicon Al Gonzalez KO 5 29/08/1962 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Al knocked out at 1:55 of the fifth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 60–5–2 Template:Flagicon Doug Jones UD 10 01/08/1962 Template:Flagicon Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado
Win 59–5–2 Template:Flagicon Paul Andrews TKO 7 12/06/1962 Template:Flagicon Sacramento, California Referee stopped the bout at 2:00 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 58–5–2 Template:Flagicon Bob Cleroux UD 10 18/04/1962 Template:Flagicon San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California
Win 57–5–2 Template:Flagicon Mike DeJohn KO 3 15/02/1962 Template:Flagicon Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado DeJohn knocked out at 2:24 of the third round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 56–5–2 Template:Flagicon Henry Cooper KO 2 05/12/1961 Template:Flagicon Empire Pool, Wembley, London Cooper knocked out at 1:06 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 55–5–2 Template:Flagicon Sonny Moore UD 10 28/09/1961 Template:Flagicon El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
Win 54–5–2 Template:Flagicon "Big" Ben Marshall KO 2 30/08/1961 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Marshall knocked out at 2:41 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 53–5–2 Template:Flagicon Alejandro Lavorante KO 7 11/05/1961 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Folley knocked out at 0:35 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 53–4–2 Template:Flagicon Norman Letcher TKO 5 10/02/1961 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Referee stopped the bout at 1:12 of the fifth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 52–4–2 Template:Flagicon Willi Besmanoff UD 10 16/09/1960 Template:Flagicon SW Washington Fairgrounds, Centralia, Washington
Loss 51–4–2 Template:Flagicon Sonny Liston KO 3 18/07/1960 Template:Flagicon Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado Folley knocked out at 0:28 of the third round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 51–3–2 Template:Flagicon Clarence Williams UD 10 05/04/1960 Template:Flagicon Sacramento, California
Win 50–3–2 Template:Flagicon Eddie Machen UD 12 18/01/1960 Template:Flagicon Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Win 49–3–2 Template:Flagicon Alonzo Johnson UD 10 18/11/1959 Template:Flagicon Caravan Inn East, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 48–3–2 Template:Flagicon Monroe Ratliff TKO 2 02/10/1959 Template:Flagicon San Diego Arena, San Diego, California Referee stopped the bout at 1:58 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 47–3–2 Template:Flagicon Howard King MD 10 04/08/1959 Template:Flagicon Sacramento, California
Win 46–3–2 Template:Flagicon Alvin Williams KO 4 07/07/1959 Template:Flagicon Fresno Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California
Win 45–3–2 Template:Flagicon Willi Besmanoff UD 10 07/04/1959 Template:Flagicon Denver, Colorado
Win 44–3–2 Template:Flagicon Hank Thurman UD 10 10/03/1959 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 43–3–2 Template:Flagicon Alex Miteff UD 10 29/01/1959 Template:Flagicon Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado
Win 42–3–2 Template:Flagicon Joe Bygraves TKO 9 24/11/1958 Template:Flagicon Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the ninth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 41–3–2 Template:Flagicon Henry Cooper PTS 10 14/10/1958 Template:Flagicon Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Win 41–2–2 Template:Flagicon Pete Rademacher KO 4 25/07/1958 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Pete knocked out at 1:15 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 40–2–2 Template:Flagicon Art Swiden UD 10 19/05/1958 Template:Flagicon Las Vegas, Nevada
Template:DrawDraw 39–2–2 Template:Flagicon Eddie Machen SD 12 09/04/1958 Template:Flagicon Cow Palace, Daly City, California
Win 39–2–1 Template:Flagicon Garvin Sawyer UD 10 01/01/1958 Template:Flagicon Capitol Arena, Washington, D.C.
Win 38–2–1 Template:Flagicon Edgardo Romero TKO 4 04/12/1957 Template:Flagicon Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 37–2–1 Template:Flagicon Duke Sabedong KO 4 21/11/1957 Template:Flagicon Phoenix, Arizona
Win 36–2–1 Template:Flagicon Monroe Ratliff UD 10 10/09/1957 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 35–2–1 Template:Flagicon Edgardo Romero TKO 6 05/08/1957 Template:Flagicon Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas
Win 34–2–1 Template:Flagicon Jeff Dyer UD 10 09/07/1957 Template:Flagicon Phoenix Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 33–2–1 Template:Flagicon Julius Griffin TKO 4 18/06/1957 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 32–2–1 Template:Flagicon Jimmy Wood KO 2 20/05/1957 Template:Flagicon Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona Wood knocked out at 1:20 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 31–2–1 Template:Flagicon JD Harvey KO 4 18/04/1957 Template:Flagicon Sports Arena, Yuma, Arizona Harvey knocked out at 2:46 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 30–2–1 Template:Flagicon Johnny Hollins KO 2 12/03/1957 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Hollins knocked out at 1:29 of the second round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 29–2–1 Template:Flagicon Howie Turner UD 10 11/02/1957 Template:Flagicon St. Nicholas Arena, New York City
Win 28–2–1 Template:Flagicon Wayne Bethea SD 10 09/01/1957 Template:Flagicon Syracuse War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York
Win 27–2–1 Template:Flagicon Wayne Bethea SD 10 03/12/1956 Template:Flagicon St. Nicholas Arena, New York City
Win 26–2–1 Template:Flagicon Nino Valdes UD 10 25/09/1956 Template:Flagicon Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 25–2–1 Template:Flagicon Roger Rischer UD 12 15/08/1956 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Southwestern Heavyweight Title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 24–2–1 Template:Flagicon Rocky Robinson KO 8 28/05/1956 Template:Flagicon Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona Robinson knocked out at 1:40 of the eighth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 23–2–1 Template:Flagicon Ponce DeLeon Taylor KO 7 08/05/1956 Template:Flagicon Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona de Leon knocked out at 0:03 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 22–2–1 Template:Flagicon Alex Watson Jones KO 3 28/02/1956 Template:Flagicon Phoenix, Arizona Jones knocked out at 2:01 of the third round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 21–2–1 Template:Flagicon Young Jack Johnson RTD 5 01/12/1955 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles California Heavyweight Title. Folley did not come out for the sixth round due to a broken rib.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 21–1–1 Template:Flagicon Reuben Wilson KO 8 24/09/1955 Template:Flagicon Clifton, Arizona
Win 20–1–1 Template:Flagicon Ted Calaman TKO 4 08/09/1955 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 1:54 of the fourth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 19–1–1 Template:Flagicon Jack Jarrod TKO 7 28/07/1955 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 1:20 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Loss 18–1–1 Template:Flagicon Johnny Summerlin RTD 6 23/06/1955 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Folley did not come out for the seventh round due to a broken jaw.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 18–0–1 Template:Flagicon Howard King TKO 1 16/05/1955 Template:Flagicon Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California Referee stopped the bout at 2:57 of the first round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 17–0–1 Template:Flagicon Calvin Brad TKO 7 07/04/1955 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 2:50 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 16–0–1 Template:Flagicon Kirby Seals TKO 5 24/02/1955 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 2:48 of the fifth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 15–0–1 Template:Flagicon JD Reed TKO 8 20/01/1955 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 1:10 of the eighth round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 14–0–1 Kid Zanzibar KO 7 18/12/1954 Template:Flagicon Clifton, Arizona
Win 13–0–1 Template:Flagicon Jimmy Ingram PTS 10 26/11/1954 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 12–0–1 Template:Flagicon Georgie Woods PTS 10 23/10/1954 Template:Flagicon Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 11–0–1 Template:Flagicon Sandy McPherson UD 8 01/10/1954 Template:Flagicon Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta
Win 10–0–1 Template:Flagicon Kid Percy KO N/A 28/08/1954 Template:Flagicon Clifton, Arizona
Win 9–0–1 Template:Flagicon Kirby Seals UD 10 13/08/1954 Template:Flagicon San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California
Win 8–0–1 Template:Flagicon Frank Buford UD 10 12/07/1954 Template:Flagicon Tucson, Arizona
Win 7–0–1 Template:Flagicon Johnny Rebel KO 1 10/06/1954 Template:Flagicon Phoenix, Arizona
Win 6–0–1 Template:Flagicon Joe Sandell TKO 3 13/04/1954 Template:Flagicon Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 5–0–1 Template:Flagicon Battling Blackjack KO 1 26/03/1954 Template:Flagicon Clifton, Arizona
Win 4–0–1 Template:Flagicon Howard King TKO 7 26/01/1954 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the seventh round.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
Win 3–0–1 Template:Flagicon Lonnie Malone TKO 2 07/12/1953 Template:Flagicon Arena, South Gate, California
Win 2–0–1 Template:Flagicon Joe Louis Brown KO 8 17/11/1953 Template:Flagicon Phoenix, Arizona
Template:DrawDraw 1–0–1 Template:Flagicon Calvin Chambers PTS 4 29/09/1953 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Win 1–0 Template:Flagicon Jimmy Ingram PTS 4 22/09/1953 Template:Flagicon Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Family

Robert Folley, son of Zora Folley, was fighting in the light heavyweight division making his pro debut at the Felt Forum, on June 19, 1986.[6]

References

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External links

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