Zora Folley

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Zora Folley (27 May 1932–July 9, 1972) was an African-American heavyweight boxer.

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. Despite being considered a top contender, Folley never faced heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson. This was partly due to his loss by decision to Henry Cooper in September 1958 (which was avenged in December 1961). Folley beat such contenders as Eddie Machen, George Chuvalo, Bob Cleroux, Oscar Bonavena, 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(the rematch).

It wasn't until March 22, 1967, that he faced the world heavyweight champion, who at this point was Muhammad Ali. Folley was knocked out in the 7th round. 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 raising a family of eight 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. Folley was one of the first to call the controversial champion by his Muslim name instead of Cassius Clay.

Under 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.

Zora Folley's final career statistics were 79 wins, 11 losses, and 6 draws, with 43 wins by knockout.

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