THEY WERE IRISH AND THEY WERE TOUGH

By Roger Esty

Jerry Quarry's brother Mike was no stranger to San Diego. I saw him beat an up and comer Amado Vasquez in front of his neighborhood in National City. Then I remember Mike breaking the hearts of San Diego fans by decisioning Ronnie Wilson up at Woodland Hills. Years later when both boys were past their best ,Mike had enough to nod Ronnie down here.

Mike was kind of the "villain" in San Diego because he'd had his way with the local talent. After Mike beat Ronnie again ,I remember him losing then to Pete McIntyre at the Coliseum. McIntyre hadn't a lot of fights and the few he had were mostly in the loss column.

As usual.the fans in that crowded arena booed Mike when his name was announced. I don't think anyone knew who McIntyre was,but he got a good hand.

The fight didn't last long. I don't know if McIntyre was that good or Mike had just slipped that far back. The referee called it off early. I didn't hold anything against Mike Quarry. All the Quarrys were fine with me. Mike may have not have been as talented as his big brother ,but like Jerry he had a big heart.

But the thing I admired most about the Quarrys was their togetherness as a family.Sometimes I thought the family was fighting with their backs to the wall. In So Cal the fight fans were mostly Mexican and their heroes weighed in at 147 pounds or less. I know Jerry had a good following in New York. I was pulling for him against Norton,but Jerry had seen his better days in the rear view mirror.

Mike and Jerry are gone now. I think when we look back on the brothers,maybe we miss them a little more than we thought we would. Everytime I read Hemingway's "50 Grand" and come the words "Irish and tough",the Quarrys boys pop into my head.