Zora Folley

Zora "Bell" Folley (May 27, 1931 – July 7, 1972) was a mid-20th century American heavyweight boxer, known for his defensive game and punching ability.

Zora Folley
Statistics
Real nameZora Folley
Nickname(s)Bell
Weight(s)Heavyweight
Height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
NationalityAmerican
Born(1931-05-27)May 27, 1931
Dallas, Texas, USA
DiedJuly 7, 1972(1972-07-07) (aged 41)
Tucson, Arizona, USA
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights96
Wins79
Wins by KO44
Losses11
Draws6

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 Foley 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 highly controversial 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). Between 1960 and 1962 Folley was knocked out by Sonny Liston, Alejandro Lavorante, and Doug Jones (in the rematch).

Title Shot

It was not until March 22, 1967, aged 34, that he faced the 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.[1] 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.

Death

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 the age of 41 in a local hospital shortly afterwards. The death was officially ruled to be accidental, but conspiracy theories regarding it persist. Folley's body was buried in the City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Arizona.[2]

Personal life

Folley served as a member of the Chandler City Council, and raised a family of nine children with his wife Joella (1933-2001).[3]

Tributes

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 [4]
Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
Loss 79–11–6 Mac Foster KO 1 29/09/1970 Selland Arena, Fresno, California Folley knocked out at 3:04 of the first round.
Win 79–10–6 Billy Joiner UD 10 05/11/1969 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada
Win 78–10–6 Tommy "Hurricane" Sims KO 1 16/06/1969 Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona Sims knocked out at 2:19 of the first round.
Win 77–10–6 Sonny Moore TKO 4 30/01/1969 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada Referee stopped the bout at 2:54 of the fourth round.
Loss 76–10–6 Oscar Bonavena MD 10 06/07/1968 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires
Draw 76–9–6 Al "Goulds Terror" Jones SD 10 14/05/1968 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida 47–47, 44–46, 46–44
Draw 76–9–5 Roger Russell SD 10 11/03/1968 Philadelphia Arena, Philadelphia
Loss 76–9–4 Brian London PTS 10 13/11/1967 Liverpool Stadium, Liverpool, Merseyside
Win 76–8–4 Nick Sosa KO 2 04/10/1967 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 75–8–4 Wayne Kindred TKO 8 18/09/1967 Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada
Loss 74–8–4 Muhammad Ali KO 7 22/03/1967 Madison Square Garden, New York City For WBC, WBA, The Ring, and lineal heavyweight titles
Win 74–7–4 Floyd Joyner KO 1 17/01/1967 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas
Win 73–7–4 Jefferson Davis UD 10 13/12/1966 Houston, Texas 98–93, 99–91, 98–92
Win 72–7–4 Henry Clark UD 10 25/10/1966 Sacramento Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California
Win 71–7–4 Jefferson Davis KO 8 28/06/1966 Centennial Coliseum, Reno, Nevada
Win 70–7–4 Bob Foster UD 10 06/12/1965 New Orleans Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana 9–0, 6–3, 8–1
Win 69–7–4 Oscar Bonavena UD 10 26/02/1965 Madison Square Garden, New York City 9–1, 9–1, 10–0
Win 68–7–4 Gerhard Zech KO 4 14/11/1964 Westfalenhallen, Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia
Draw 67–7–4 Karl Mildenberger PTS 10 17/04/1964 Festhalle Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Hesse
Win 67–7–3 Tod Herring TKO 7 17/03/1964 Houston, Texas Referee stopped the bout at 1:34 of the seventh round.
Win 66–7–3 George Chuvalo UD 10 17/01/1964 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio 50–45, 49–42, 47–44
Win 65–7–3 Billy Daniels UD 10 17/10/1963 Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec 49–44, 48–38, 47–43
Win 64–7–3 Tiger Lynch KO 5 19/09/1963 Boise, Idaho Lynch knocked out at 1:49 of the fifth round.
Loss 63–7–3 Ernie Terrell UD 10 27/07/1963 Madison Square Garden, New York City 2–7, 1–7, 3–7
Win 63–6–3 Bob Cleroux UD 10 23/05/1963 Paul Sauve Arena, Montreal, Quebec 50–36, 50–39, 49–39
Draw 62–6–3 Dean Bogany TD 5 02/04/1963 Bakersfield Civic Auditorium, Bakersfield, California Fight stopped due to an accidental headbut.
Loss 62–6–2 Doug Jones KO 7 15/12/1962 Madison Square Garden, New York City Folley knocked out at 1:58 of the seventh round.
Win 62–5–2 Dave Furch UD 10 19/11/1962 Tucson, Arizona 100–91, 100–91, 100–90
Win 61–5–2 Al Gonzalez KO 5 29/08/1962 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Al knocked out at 1:55 of the fifth round.
Win 60–5–2 Doug Jones UD 10 01/08/1962 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado 47–45, 47–45, 47–46
Win 59–5–2 Paul Andrews TKO 7 12/06/1962 Sacramento, California Referee stopped the bout at 2:00 of the seventh round.
Win 58–5–2 Bob Cleroux UD 10 18/04/1962 San Francisco Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California 10–0, 9–1, 9–0
Win 57–5–2 Mike DeJohn KO 3 15/02/1962 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado DeJohn knocked out at 2:24 of the third round.
Win 56–5–2 Henry Cooper KO 2 05/12/1961 Empire Pool, Wembley, London Cooper knocked out at 1:06 of the second round.
Win 55–5–2 Sonny "Policeman" Moore UD 10 28/09/1961 El Paso County Coliseum, El Paso, Texas
Win 54–5–2 "Big" Ben Marshall KO 2 30/08/1961 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Marshall knocked out at 2:41 of the second round.
Loss 53–5–2 Alejandro Lavorante KO 7 11/05/1961 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Folley knocked out at 0:35 of the seventh round.
Win 53–4–2 Norman Letcher TKO 5 10/02/1961 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Referee stopped the bout at 1:12 of the fifth round.
Win 52–4–2 Willi Besmanoff UD 10 16/09/1960 SW Washington Fairgrounds, Centralia, Washington 99–94, 98–96, 98–96
Loss 51–4–2 Sonny Liston KO 3 18/07/1960 Denver Coliseum, Denver, Colorado Folley knocked out at 0:28 of the third round.
Win 51–3–2 Clarence Williams UD 10 05/04/1960 Sacramento, California
Win 50–3–2 Eddie Machen UD 12 18/01/1960 Cow Palace, Daly City, California 118–113, 117–114, 119–114
Win 49–3–2 Alonzo Johnson UD 10 18/11/1959 Caravan Inn East, Phoenix, Arizona 99–96, 99–93, 98–94
Win 48–3–2 Monroe Ratliff TKO 2 02/10/1959 San Diego Arena, San Diego, California Referee stopped the bout at 1:58 of the second round.
Win 47–3–2 Howard "Honeyboy" King MD 10 04/08/1959 Sacramento, California 97–93, 95–95, 98–92
Win 46–3–2 "Chief" Alvin Williams KO 4 07/07/1959 Fresno Memorial Auditorium, Fresno, California
Win 45–3–2 Willi Besmanoff UD 10 07/04/1959 Denver, Colorado
Win 44–3–2 Hank Thurman UD 10 10/03/1959 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona 100–81, 100–81, 100–86
Win 43–3–2 Alex Miteff UD 10 29/01/1959 Denver Auditorium Arena, Denver, Colorado
Win 42–3–2 Joe Bygraves TKO 9 24/11/1958 Granby Halls, Leicester, Leicestershire Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the ninth round.
Loss 41–3–2 Henry Cooper PTS 10 14/10/1958 Empire Pool, Wembley, London
Win 41–2–2 Pete Rademacher KO 4 25/07/1958 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Pete knocked out at 1:15 of the fourth round.
Win 40–2–2 Art Swiden UD 10 19/05/1958 Las Vegas, Nevada 50–43, 46–40, 49–45
Draw 39–2–2 Eddie Machen SD 12 09/04/1958 Cow Palace, Daly City, California 116–117, 115–115, 117–115
Win 39–2–1 Garvin Sawyer UD 10 01/01/1958 Capitol Arena, Washington, District of Columbia 100–77, 100–76, 100–76
Win 38–2–1 Edgardo Romero TKO 4 04/12/1957 Albuquerque Civic Auditorium, Albuquerque, New Mexico Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the fourth round.
Win 37–2–1 Duke Sabedong KO 4 21/11/1957 Phoenix, Arizona
Win 36–2–1 Monroe Ratliff UD 10 10/09/1957 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 35–2–1 Edgardo Romero TKO 6 05/08/1957 Dallas Memorial Auditorium, Dallas, Texas
Win 34–2–1 Jeff Dyer UD 10 09/07/1957 Phoenix Coliseum, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 33–2–1 Julius Griffin TKO 4 18/06/1957 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the fourth round.
Win 32–2–1 Jimmy Wood KO 2 20/05/1957 Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona Wood knocked out at 1:20 of the second round.
Win 31–2–1 JD Harvey KO 4 18/04/1957 Sports Arena, Yuma, Arizona Harvey knocked out at 2:46 of the fourth round.
Win 30–2–1 Johnny Hollins KO 2 12/03/1957 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Hollins knocked out at 1:29 of the second round.
Win 29–2–1 Howie Turner UD 10 11/02/1957 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City 6–2, 6–3, 7–3
Win 28–2–1 Wayne Bethea SD 10 09/01/1957 Syracuse War Memorial Arena, Syracuse, New York 5–4, 5–4, 4–5
Win 27–2–1 Wayne Bethea SD 10 03/12/1956 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City 4–6, 6–5, 6–3
Win 26–2–1 Nino Valdes UD 10 25/09/1956 Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 25–2–1 Roger Rischer UD 12 15/08/1956 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona Southwestern Heavyweight Title.
Win 24–2–1 Rocky Robinson KO 8 28/05/1956 Sports Center, Tucson, Arizona Robinson knocked out at 1:40 of the eighth round.
Win 23–2–1 Ponce DeLeon Taylor KO 7 08/05/1956 Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Phoenix, Arizona de Leon knocked out at 0:03 of the seventh round.
Win 22–2–1 Alex Watson Jones KO 3 28/02/1956 Phoenix, Arizona Jones knocked out at 2:01 of the third round.
Loss 21–2–1 Young Jack Johnson RTD 5 01/12/1955 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 Reuben Wilson KO 8 24/09/1955 Clifton, Arizona
Win 20–1–1 Ted Calaman TKO 4 08/09/1955 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 1:54 of the fourth round.
Win 19–1–1 Jack Jarrod TKO 7 28/07/1955 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 1:20 of the seventh round.
Loss 18–1–1 Johnny Summerlin RTD 6 23/06/1955 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Folley did not come out for the seventh round due to a broken jaw.
Win 18–0–1 Howard "Honeyboy" King TKO 1 16/05/1955 Kezar Stadium, San Francisco, California Referee stopped the bout at 2:57 of the first round.
Win 17–0–1 Calvin Brad TKO 7 07/04/1955 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 2:50 of the seventh round.
Win 16–0–1 Kirby Seals TKO 5 24/02/1955 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 2:48 of the fifth round.
Win 15–0–1 JD Reed TKO 8 20/01/1955 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 Clifton, Arizona
Win 13–0–1 Jimmy Ingram PTS 10 26/11/1954 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 12–0–1 Georgie Woods PTS 10 23/10/1954 Madison Square Garden, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 11–0–1 Sandy McPherson UD 8 01/10/1954 Edmonton Gardens, Edmonton, Alberta
Win 10–0–1 Kid Percy KO N/A 28/08/1954 Clifton, Arizona
Win 9–0–1 Kirby Seals UD 10 13/08/1954 San Diego Coliseum, San Diego, California 56.5–53.5, 57.5–52.5, 58–52
Win 8–0–1 Frank Buford UD 10 12/07/1954 Tucson, Arizona 54–53, 60–50, 54–53
Win 7–0–1 Johnny Rebel KO 1 10/06/1954 Phoenix, Arizona
Win 6–0–1 Joe Sandell TKO 3 13/04/1954 Softball Park, Phoenix, Arizona
Win 5–0–1 Battling Blackjack KO 1 26/03/1954 Clifton, Arizona
Win 4–0–1 Howard "Honeyboy" King TKO 7 26/01/1954 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles Referee stopped the bout at 2:35 of the seventh round.
Win 3–0–1 Lonnie Malone TKO 2 07/12/1953 Arena, South Gate, California
Win 2–0–1 Joe Louis Brown KO 8 17/11/1953 Phoenix, Arizona
Draw 1–0–1 Calvin Chambers PTS 4 29/09/1953 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles
Win 1–0 Jimmy Ingram PTS 4 22/09/1953 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.[5]

References
  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. Entry for Folley's grave in Findagrave website (2019). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/63345324/zora-bell-folley
  3. Entry in Findagrave website for Joella Folley (2019). https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/82070083/joella-fern-folley
  4. http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=9384&cat=boxer
  5. Berger, Phil (May 28, 1986). "Tyson vs. Berbick Is on the Horizon". The New York Times. p. 21. Retrieved June 12, 2019.
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