Zora Folley

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.

He beat top contenders such as Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Oscar Bonavena, Henry Cooper, Bob Foster, Nino Valdez, Doug Jones, Johnny Summerlin, Bob Cleroux and drew (tied) against Karl Mildenberger.

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

Born in Dallas, Texas on 27 May 1931, Folley moved with his family to Chandler, Arizona in 1942, where he grew up playing baseball.

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

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.