Elizabeth Montgomery versus Mary Tyler Moore (Retro)

Circa 1964

We, at the FCBA Historical Library am proud to show a bout from 1964 which we have restored and digitized. We hope you enjoy.

The 1960s are always viewed as a golden age of female celebrity boxing but in which all the fights were conducted behind closed doors or at a private homes or estates.

This is true with this bout from 1964 between Elizabeth Montgomery the star of the new show Bewitched and Mary Tyler Moore from the Dick Van Dyke show.

The fighters are boxing inside the home of a producer. A ring is set up and the crowd is all around.

The referee is Bess Myerson, a familiar face from the game show I’ve Got A Secret and former Miss America. The tall brunette beauty came to the ring in black shorts and a white top with thin straps.

Elizabeth comes inside the ropes in a black one piece with brown leather gloves.

Mary wears a white one piece and brown gloves too.

Round 1 & 2:

The first two rounds were split widely as both boxers won a round. Mary won the first and Elizabeth the second. In the first, Moore used her dancer’s legs to punch outside at Montgomery. This enabled her to flick more shots into Elizabeth and keep her on the defensive and counter punch. Montgomery was successful with her counter punching but not enough as Moore took the round widely. In the second, Elizabeth got to Mary first with a couple straights to her gut. Soon she was getting in close on Moore as the wind had been knocked from her. Montgomery used some wicked crosses on her face. Mary got her head snapped and had to back away. Elizabeth followed and Moore had to defend as Montgomery’s gloves were coming at her. She covered up and then got Elizabeth in a tight clinch. Myerson comes over and succeeds in breaking them apart. Moore got enough away from Montgomery to jab and move which she did to end the round. Elizabeth won the round widely.

Round 3:

Montgomery opened the third with a great timed right uppercut which caught Moore surprised. She was stunned and had to cover up as Elizabeth swatted away at her. Mary did recover and work Montgomery’s body and ribs during a firefight in the last minute or minute and half of the round. A close round that was won and given on the cards to Elizabeth.

Round 4:

Moore came out more aggressive in the fourth. She cracked both gloves out at Elizabeth’s body and soon was punching her back to the ropes. Montgomery had to protect her body and Mary threw some looping uppercuts to her face. Soon she was throwing some huge haymakers too which brought the crowd up to their feet. Elizabeth seems to have no answer but defend as best she could. She counter punched well stopping Moore’s attack close to the bell which was a great relief to her. Mary wins this round widely.

Round 5:

Elizabeth came out with a sneaky right cross to Mary’s face which caught Moore unaware and stopped her rush. Montgomery took full advantage and went inside and did serious damage to Moore’s body. Then she unloaded with a right uppercut and left hook combination AND MOORE GOES DOWN! Myerson moves Montgomery along to a neutral corner before she kneels down next to Moore. The count passes as Mary sits up and rubs her gut and midsection. She gets no further and the bout is over. KO 5 – Elizabeth Montgomery.

After:

Montgomery comes out with her gloves raised before coming to center of the ring. Myerson raises her right glove in victory. Elizabeth smiled as she posed for the cameras. Mary was helped to her corner and then to her room in the mansion. Both boxers were welcomed back to the after party as was Bess Myerson at the mansion the next evening.