Yvonne Craig vs. Nancy Kovack (Retro)

This fight featured two of the most popular and finest, in both senses of the previous word, boxers during the late 1960s. These two would box at all the studios during the decade and into the early to mid-1970s. Both liked and were favorites of the studio and the producers at them.

Yvonne Craig was on Batman at the time of this bout and was already a name on the gloves and ring circuit. She was known for her bouts with Ann Margaret, Donna Douglas, Lisa Gaye, Jocelyn Lane, Barbara Eden, and others and now with Dawn Wells and Marlo Thomas. It seems a certain producer liked those 3 and had them box quite a bit.

Of course Yvonne’s opponent also boxed for the same producer a lot too. Nancy Kovack had made her name on television and films. But boxing she would fight the likes of Julie Newmar, Barbara Feldon, Tina Louise, Elizabeth Montgomery, Lee Meriwhether and others in her journey. Both had and would box Raquel Welch after this.

Also both boxers were buxom and they knew it too. This also helped in boxing and acting too.

The referee for tonight’s bout was another mutual opponent of both of theirs, Julia Adams.

A ring was set up on a 20th Century Fox soundstage to be used for an upcoming Batman episode.

Julia came down to the ring first, still looking pretty spectacular in a white and black striped one piece with tight black shorts over it.

Next Nancy came into the ring in her strapless pink 2 piece with brown leather gloves.

Yvonne then emerged and came into the squared circle wearing a 2 piece floral print bikini with brown leather gloves.

Round 1:

It was a cautious opening round by two fighters known to be slugging from the get go. They circled each other at the beginning. Nancy seemed to be crouching somewhat to box her shorter opponent. But she was able to get in the first couple good punches of the fight this way to Craig’s face and Yvonne had to retreat and circle.

Craig did reply with a couple rights to Nancy’s midsection before the two circled again. A few more even exchanged followed before the round ended. A close first round maybe won by Nancy.

Round 2:

Nancy catches onto Yvonne’s fight plan early into the round when she shifted away from a right straight to her face. Kovack answered with back to back hooks to Yvonne’s chest. When Yvonne went to block another, she got a left cross to her face. This opened up a huge round for Nancy. She soon was punching Yvonne in her chest and waist whenever she could. Soon she was backed up to the ropes and Kovack in front of her. Yvonne ended the round there having soaked up some heavy shots from Kovack. A huge round for Nancy won widely.

Round 3:

It seems the break did a world of good for Yvonne as she came out more aggressive this round. Craig started moving side to side on Kovack. Yvonne went for Nancy’s body now and it worked out well for her. Craig opened with double rights at Nancy’s midsection. Nancy went to advance after those rights but got hit with a left cross in her chest for her move. Nancy was forced back now after this display of hand speed and movement by Yvonne. Her chest took two straight rights from Yvonne before Nancy clinched. After Julia broken them apart, Nancy tried to fight behind her jab for the rest of the round. But when the bell rang there was no doubt Yvonne had won the round widely.

Round 4:

Nancy came out on her feet more this round in the opening. She controlled the round early with her jabbing at Yvonne’s face. Yvonne kept looking for chances to get inside and there were some terrific exchanges when both slugged for the assemble audience’s enjoyment. Nancy seems to take the better of those exchanges and was able to get Yvonne backed up to her corner near the end of the round. There Kovack got in a left cross and right hook combination to Yvonne’s chest before the bell rang. It was plain now that Nancy’s won the round widely and was back in control.

Round 5:

It seems as though both fighters decided to get back on their toes this round. Both came out a bit slower but still nimble on their feet. The action opened with jabs from both boxers. Neither boxer seemed to be able to add on combinations after those jabs. Both were better on defending this round. That changed when close to the last minute of the round, Yvonne scored with a right jab to Nancy’s bust and a left cross to above Kovack’s right eye. This knocked Nancy back and she soon as Yvonne coming after her with her fists flashing. Nancy did defend well after a couple Yvonne punches got through. Kovack hit Yvonne with a nice right uppercut before the round ended. A close round carried by Yvonne.

Round 6:

Yvonne with a huge shutout round here. She opened with a surprising crisp jab at Nancy’s face and then down into her body with a heavy combination. Kovack was gasping and seems to be stumbling into Yvonne’s gloves fists. Nancy did clinch after a few punches from Yvonne and tried to hang on for as long as she could. Julia again broke them up and this was good for Nancy as she backed away. But this round was shutout for Yvonne Craig. Kovack was in pain and agony as Yvonne romped with punches to her body and had her in the ropes. Soon Yvonne was going to Nancy’s face when the bell rang mercifully for Kovack.

Round 7:

I think a lot of fight fans were surprised Nancy came out for the next round but she did answer the bell. Yvonne again used her new found jab to start in on Nancy. Once inside on Kovack, Craig went right into her body and chest with right and left hooks and a mean right cross. Nancy went to clinch but Yvonne saw this coming. She backed up with a hop and threw a right uppercut and left hook to Nancy’s face. AND DOWN GOES NANCY! Yvonne stands over her for a moment before Julia shoved and pointed her to a neutral corner. Once there, Julia began the 10 count. It passed Nancy by and Yvonne Craig was the winner by knockout.

After:

Yvonne Craig came to center of the ring for the announcement. Her right gloved hand was raised in victory. She raised both arms and showed off for the fans at ringside. She left the ring to great cheers. Nancy was brought around and after the announcement was guided to her dressing room where she would be tended to. At the after party the next evening, both boxers attended and were given plaudits for their work in the studio and in the ring.