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Zora Folley








Zora Folley


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Zora Folley

Zora Folley 1972.jpeg
Statistics
Real name
Zora Folley
Nickname(s)
Bell
Weight(s)
Heavyweight
Height
6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Nationality
American
Born
(1931-05-27)May 27, 1931
Dallas, Texas, USA
Died
July 7, 1972(1972-07-07) (aged 41)
Tucson, Arizona, USA
Stance
Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights
96
Wins
79
Wins by KO
44
Losses
11
Draws
6

Zora "Bell" Folley (May 27, 1931 – July 7, 1972) was an American heavyweight boxer. He was well skilled with a good defence and also a punch to go with it.


Born in Dallas, Texas, he moved with his family to Chandler, Arizona in 1942, where he grew up playing baseball. Upon joining the U.S. Army in 1948, he entered the boxing ring, and won the 6th Army championship within a year, eventually earning the All-Army and All-Service titles. He fought in the Korean War, earning five battle stars, and was discharged in 1953.


He then 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 6 rounds with a suspected broken jaw after being decked three times. Despite being considered a top contender, Folley never faced heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson. This was partly due to his highly controversial points loss to Henry Cooper in England, in September 1958 (which was later avenged in December 1961 by a two-round knockout.).


Folley beat such contenders as Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Bob Cleroux (twice), Oscar Bonavena (the first match was one sided with Bonavena being decked but Oscar got the rematch 3 years later) and Doug Jones. He also had draws with Karl Mildenberger and Eddie Machen (their first fight). Between 1960 and 1962 Folley was knocked out by Sonny Liston, Alejandro Lavorante, and Doug Jones (in the rematch).


It wasn't until March 22, 1967, aged 34, that he faced the world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali. Folley was knocked out in the 7th round being somewhat past his best. Folley fought for three more years afterward before being knocked out by Mac Foster in 1970.


Folley served as a member of the Chandler City Council, and raised a family of nine children with his wife Joella. Before their fight, Ali joked that Folley was such a nice man that it posed a real problem because he couldn't possibly get mad at him.[1] Folley was one of the first to call the controversial champion by his Muslim name instead of Cassius Clay. Ali stated he'd 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.


In mysterious circumstances, Folley suffered severe head injuries in a motel swimming pool while visiting a friend in Tucson, Arizona on July 8, 1972, and died at a Tucson hospital within hours. The death was officially ruled to be accidental, but conspiracy theories regarding his death persist.


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



Professional boxing record[edit]











































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































79 Wins (44 knockouts, 35 decisions), 11 Losses (7 knockouts, 4 decisions), 6 Draws [2]

Result

Record

Opponent

Type

Round

Date

Location

Notes
Loss
79–11–6

United States Mac Foster
KO
1
29/09/1970

United States Selland Arena, Fresno, California

Folley knocked out at 3:04 of the first round.
Win
79–10–6

United States Billy Joiner
UD
10
05/11/1969

United States Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada

Win
78–10–6

United States Tommy "Hurricane" Sims
KO
1
16/06/1969

United States Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona

Sims knocked out at 2:19 of the first round.
Win
77–10–6

United States Sonny Moore
TKO
4
30/01/1969

United States Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada

Referee stopped the bout at 2:54 of the fourth round.
Loss
76–10–6

Argentina Oscar Bonavena
MD
10
06/07/1968

Argentina Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires

Draw
76–9–6

United States Al "Goulds Terror" Jones
SD
10
14/05/1968

United States Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida

47–47, 44–46, 46–44
Draw
76–9–5

United States Roger Russell
SD
10
11/03/1968

United States Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia

49–48, 43–47, 48–48
Loss
76–9–4

United Kingdom Brian London
PTS
10
13/11/1967

United Kingdom Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside

48.75–49.75
Win
76–8–4

United States Nick Sosa
KO
2
04/10/1967

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Sosa knocked out at 1:34 of the second round.
Win
75–8–4

United States Wayne Kindred
TKO
8
18/09/1967

United States Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada

Referee stopped the bout at 2:50 of the eighth round.
Loss
74–8–4

United States Muhammad Ali
KO
7
22/03/1967

United States Madison Square Garden, New York City

WBA World Heavyweight Title. Folley knocked out at 1:48 of the seventh round.
Win
74–7–4

United States Floyd Joyner
KO
1
17/01/1967

United States Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas

Joyner knocked out at 1:40 of the first round.
Win
73–7–4

United States Jefferson Davis
UD
10
13/12/1966

United States Houston, Texas

98–93, 99–91, 98–92
Win
72–7–4

United States Henry Clark
UD
10
25/10/1966

United States Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California

Win
71–7–4

United States Jefferson Davis
KO
8
28/06/1966

United States Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada

Win
70–7–4

United States Bob Foster
UD
10
06/12/1965

United States New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana

9–0, 6–3, 8–1
Win
69–7–4

Argentina Oscar Bonavena
UD
10
26/02/1965

United States Madison Square Garden, New York City

9–1, 9–1, 10–0
Win
68–7–4

Germany Gerhard Zech
KO
4
14/11/1964

Germany Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia

Draw
67–7–4

Germany Karl Mildenberger
PTS
10
17/04/1964

Germany Festhalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse

Win
67–7–3

United States Tod Herring
TKO
7
17/03/1964

United States Houston, Texas

Referee stopped the bout at 1:34 of the seventh round.
Win
66–7–3

Canada George Chuvalo
UD
10
17/01/1964

United States Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio

50–45, 49–42, 47–44
Win
65–7–3

United States Billy Daniels
UD
10
17/10/1963

Canada Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec

49–44, 48–38, 47–43
Win
64–7–3

United States Tiger Lynch
KO
5
19/09/1963

United States Boise, Idaho

Lynch knocked out at 1:49 of the fifth round.
Loss
63–7–3

United States Ernie Terrell
UD
10
27/07/1963

United States Madison Square Garden, New York City

2–7, 1–7, 3–7
Win
63–6–3

Canada Bob Cleroux
UD
10
23/05/1963

Canada Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec

50–36, 50–39, 49–39
Draw
62–6–3

United States Dean Bogany
TD
5
02/04/1963

United States Bakersfield Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California

Fight stopped due to an accidental headbut.
Loss
62–6–2

United States Doug Jones
KO
7
15/12/1962

United States Madison Square Garden, New York City

Folley knocked out at 1:58 of the seventh round.
Win
62–5–2

United States Dave Furch
UD
10
19/11/1962

United States Tucson, Arizona

100–91, 100–91, 100–90
Win
61–5–2

United States Al Gonzalez
KO
5
29/08/1962

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Al knocked out at 1:55 of the fifth round.
Win
60–5–2

United States Doug Jones
UD
10
01/08/1962

United States Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado

47–45, 47–45, 47–46
Win
59–5–2

United States Paul Andrews
TKO
7
12/06/1962

United States Sacramento, California

Referee stopped the bout at 2:00 of the seventh round.
Win
58–5–2

Canada Bob Cleroux
UD
10
18/04/1962

United States San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California

10–0, 9–1, 9–0
Win
57–5–2

United States Mike DeJohn
KO
3
15/02/1962

United States Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado

DeJohn knocked out at 2:24 of the third round.
Win
56–5–2

United Kingdom Henry Cooper
KO
2
05/12/1961

United Kingdom Empire Pool, Wembley, London

Cooper knocked out at 1:06 of the second round.
Win
55–5–2

United States Sonny "Policeman" Moore
UD
10
28/09/1961

United States El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas

Win
54–5–2

United States "Big" Ben Marshall
KO
2
30/08/1961

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Marshall knocked out at 2:41 of the second round.
Loss
53–5–2

Argentina Alejandro Lavorante
KO
7
11/05/1961

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Folley knocked out at 0:35 of the seventh round.
Win
53–4–2

United States Norman Letcher
TKO
5
10/02/1961

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Referee stopped the bout at 1:12 of the fifth round.
Win
52–4–2

Germany Willi Besmanoff
UD
10
16/09/1960

United States SW Washington Fairgrounds, Centralia, Washington

99–94, 98–96, 98–96
Loss
51–4–2

United States Sonny Liston
KO
3
18/07/1960

United States Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado

Folley knocked out at 0:28 of the third round.
Win
51–3–2

United States Clarence Williams
UD
10
05/04/1960

United States Sacramento, California

Win
50–3–2

United States Eddie Machen
UD
12
18/01/1960

United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California

118–113, 117–114, 119–114
Win
49–3–2

United States Alonzo Johnson
UD
10
18/11/1959

United States Caravan Inn East, Phoenix, Arizona

99–96, 99–93, 98–94
Win
48–3–2

United States Monroe Ratliff
TKO
2
02/10/1959

United States San Diego Arena, San Diego, California

Referee stopped the bout at 1:58 of the second round.
Win
47–3–2

United States Howard "Honeyboy" King
MD
10
04/08/1959

United States Sacramento, California

97–93, 95–95, 98–92
Win
46–3–2

United States "Chief" Alvin Williams
KO
4
07/07/1959

United States Fresno Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California

Win
45–3–2

Germany Willi Besmanoff
UD
10
07/04/1959

United States Denver, Colorado

Win
44–3–2

United States Hank Thurman
UD
10
10/03/1959

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

100–81, 100–81, 100–86
Win
43–3–2

Argentina Alex Miteff
UD
10
29/01/1959

United States Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado

Win
42–3–2

Jamaica Joe Bygraves
TKO
9
24/11/1958

United Kingdom Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire

Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the ninth round.
Loss
41–3–2

United Kingdom Henry Cooper
PTS
10
14/10/1958

United Kingdom Empire Pool, Wembley, London

Win
41–2–2

United States Pete Rademacher
KO
4
25/07/1958

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Pete knocked out at 1:15 of the fourth round.
Win
40–2–2

United States Art Swiden
UD
10
19/05/1958

United States Las Vegas, Nevada

50–43, 46–40, 49–45
Draw
39–2–2

United States Eddie Machen
SD
12
09/04/1958

United States Cow Palace, Daly City, California

116–117, 115–115, 117–115
Win
39–2–1

United States Garvin Sawyer
UD
10
01/01/1958

United States Capitol Arena, Washington, District of Columbia

100–77, 100–76, 100–76
Win
38–2–1

Argentina Edgardo Romero
TKO
4
04/12/1957

United States Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the fourth round.
Win
37–2–1

United States Duke Sabedong
KO
4
21/11/1957

United States Phoenix, Arizona

Win
36–2–1

United States Monroe Ratliff
UD
10
10/09/1957

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Win
35–2–1

Argentina Edgardo Romero
TKO
6
05/08/1957

United States Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas

Win
34–2–1

United States Jeff Dyer
UD
10
09/07/1957

United States Phoenix Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona

Win
33–2–1

United States Julius Griffin
TKO
4
18/06/1957

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the fourth round.
Win
32–2–1

United States Jimmy Wood
KO
2
20/05/1957

United States Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona

Wood knocked out at 1:20 of the second round.
Win
31–2–1

United States JD Harvey
KO
4
18/04/1957

United States Sports Arena, Yuma, Arizona

Harvey knocked out at 2:46 of the fourth round.
Win
30–2–1

United States Johnny Hollins
KO
2
12/03/1957

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Hollins knocked out at 1:29 of the second round.
Win
29–2–1

United States Howie Turner
UD
10
11/02/1957

United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City

6–2, 6–3, 7–3
Win
28–2–1

United States Wayne Bethea
SD
10
09/01/1957

United States Syracuse War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York

5–4, 5–4, 4–5
Win
27–2–1

United States Wayne Bethea
SD
10
03/12/1956

United States St. Nicholas Arena, New York City

4–6, 6–5, 6–3
Win
26–2–1

Cuba Nino Valdes
UD
10
25/09/1956

United States Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona

Win
25–2–1

United States Roger Rischer
UD
12
15/08/1956

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Southwestern Heavyweight Title.
Win
24–2–1

United States Rocky Robinson
KO
8
28/05/1956

United States Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona

Robinson knocked out at 1:40 of the eighth round.
Win
23–2–1

United States Ponce DeLeon Taylor
KO
7
08/05/1956

United States Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona

de Leon knocked out at 0:03 of the seventh round.
Win
22–2–1

United States Alex Watson Jones
KO
3
28/02/1956

United States Phoenix, Arizona

Jones knocked out at 2:01 of the third round.
Loss
21–2–1

United States Young Jack Johnson
RTD
5
01/12/1955

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

California Heavyweight Title. Folley did not come out for the sixth round due to a broken rib.
Win
21–1–1

United States Reuben Wilson
KO
8
24/09/1955

United States Clifton, Arizona

Win
20–1–1

United States Ted Calaman
TKO
4
08/09/1955

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Referee stopped the bout at 1:54 of the fourth round.
Win
19–1–1

United States Jack Jarrod
TKO
7
28/07/1955

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Referee stopped the bout at 1:20 of the seventh round.
Loss
18–1–1

United States Johnny Summerlin
RTD
6
23/06/1955

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Folley did not come out for the seventh round due to a broken jaw.
Win
18–0–1

United States Howard "Honeyboy" King
TKO
1
16/05/1955

United States Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California

Referee stopped the bout at 2:57 of the first round.
Win
17–0–1

United States Calvin Brad
TKO
7
07/04/1955

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Referee stopped the bout at 2:50 of the seventh round.
Win
16–0–1

United States Kirby Seals
TKO
5
24/02/1955

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Referee stopped the bout at 2:48 of the fifth round.
Win
15–0–1

United States JD Reed
TKO
8
20/01/1955

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Referee stopped the bout at 1:10 of the eighth round.
Win
14–0–1
Kid Zanzibar
KO
7
18/12/1954

United States Clifton, Arizona

Win
13–0–1

United States Jimmy Ingram
PTS
10
26/11/1954

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Win
12–0–1

United States Georgie Woods
PTS
10
23/10/1954

United States Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona

Win
11–0–1

United States Sandy McPherson
UD
8
01/10/1954

Canada Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta

Win
10–0–1

United States Kid Percy
KO
N/A
28/08/1954

United States Clifton, Arizona

Win
9–0–1

United States Kirby Seals
UD
10
13/08/1954

United States San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California

56.5–53.5, 57.5–52.5, 58–52
Win
8–0–1

United States Frank Buford
UD
10
12/07/1954

United States Tucson, Arizona

54–53, 60–50, 54–53
Win
7–0–1

United States Johnny Rebel
KO
1
10/06/1954

United States Phoenix, Arizona

Win
6–0–1

United States Joe Sandell
TKO
3
13/04/1954

United States Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona

Win
5–0–1

United States Battling Blackjack
KO
1
26/03/1954

United States Clifton, Arizona

Win
4–0–1

United States Howard "Honeyboy" King
TKO
7
26/01/1954

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the seventh round.
Win
3–0–1

United States Lonnie Malone
TKO
2
07/12/1953

United States Arena, South Gate, California

Win
2–0–1

United States Joe Louis Brown
KO
8
17/11/1953

United States Phoenix, Arizona

Draw
1–0–1

United States Calvin Chambers
PTS
4
29/09/1953

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles

Win
1–0

United States Jimmy Ingram
PTS
4
22/09/1953

United States Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles


References[edit]




  1. ^ Dundee, Angelo; Bert Sugar (2009). My View from the Corner: A Life in Boxing. New York: McGraw Hill Books. p. 125. ISBN 978-0-07-162847-1. Retrieved October 2, 2014. 


  2. ^ http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9384&cat=boxer




External links[edit]





  • Professional boxing record for Zora Folley from BoxRec Retrieved on February 5, 2008


  • The Rise and Fall of Zora Folley The Sweet Science, September 9, 2005


  • After Muhammad, a Graveyard Sports Illustrated, April 3, 1967

  • [1]



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