Julie Adams versus Yvonne Craig (Retro)

The year was 1965, and Christmas time of that year. The arena was filled as a very special bout was about to begin. Julie Adams would be in the ring with Yvonne Craig.

Julie Adams was a well know actress and boxer around Hollywood and the studios. Adams was coming off of her work in the Elvis Presley film, Tickle Me. It was talked about that she had boxed on sets with Jocelyn Lane and the other actresses in the film.

Yvonne Craig was a busy actress during this time. She guest starred on several television shows including McHale’s Navy, Voyage To The Bottom Of The Sea, My Favorite Martin, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. in the last year. She was also coming from her work in the film Ski Party. Talk there was that Craig had been boxing with co-star Deborah Walley and film guest star Annette Funicello.

On a historical note, KO Kapowski and his tomes of volumes on the subject of female celebrities boxing does suggest this was the beginning of the Funicello-Craig rivalry that ran until the early 1970s. These two boxed on several occasions and we at the FCBA Historical Library have recently come across posters, handbills, still pictures and other items from these fights. We are also digitizing any and all footage from their many bouts. A collector has given all the films of those bouts to us. There have been rumors of a come-back bout in the mid to late 80s but as of this writing that remains unconfirmed. When more is found about this, the Library will bring you all news about this.

The referee for tonight bout was a true surprise as Audrey Hepburn came to the ring. She wore tight black short shorts with a white over shirt kind of top with black striping like those found on racing cars of the day, these run down the shirt to the bottom hem. Hepburn has it tucked into the shorts and the sleeves rolled up.

Now it was time for the boxers to come into the ring.

Julie was first and she came in a full red fur lined robe with her brown gloves.

Once between the ropes, her robe came off to reveal a white fur topped green Santa Claus type outfit with a skirt. She had her skirt undone to show a pair of green short shorts with her top remaining the same.

Yvonne came next and likewise wore a full red fur robe with brown gloves too. Once inside the ring, her robe slid down to show her body in a white fur topped red Santa Claus outfit also with a skirt. And her skirt came off to reveal a red pair of short shorts and her top stayed the same too.

Round 1:

The fight began with both boxers circling and being extremely cautious as there was no immediate slugging with big punches. Julie was first to strike with a left hook right cross combination to Yvonne’s face. This forced Craig back and she was on the defensive as Julie charged in on her. She soon socked Yvonne’s breasts and gut with some heavy leather. Julie took the round widely.

Round 2 & 3:

Yvonne took the next two rounds winning the second widely and the third closely. This time she got in first with a double straight combination to Julia’s gut. She got hit with a right cross after Yvonne’s straights. Adams moved back now as Craig moved back in on her. Craig’s footwork and gloves were definitely driving Julie back. Soon the boxers were tied up in a clinch. Audrey came over and broke that up. Adams tried to jab and defend as Yvonne took the second widely. The third opened with both boxers on their toes and jabs but nothing harder. Craig landed a left cross right hook combination to Julie’s face to break the stalemate. This time Adams was quicker on the defense and landed a gorgeous right uppercut after Yvonne missed with a right cross. The round was a close won by Yvonne was deemed to have done enough to win it.

Round 4 & 5:

After dropping the previous two rounds, Julie won the next two widely and then closely. In the fourth, Julie was able to get on top of Yvonne and work on her breasts and gut with some hard hooks of her own. In the middle of the round, Adams hit a hard right uppercut and DOWN GOES CRAIG! Audrey shuffled Julie to a neutral corner before beginning her count over Yvonne. Craig would be up at the count of 6 and Audrey checked her. Soon she called for the fight to continue. Adams moved side to side and back to throw some straights and jabs into Yvonne’s face. Craig had to defend for most of the round as Julie took it widely. The fifth was a close round from the jump. The boxers started out slugging away at each other. This brought the crowd up from their seats. The boxers seemed to trading huge uppercut and hooks as their bodies showed signs of major punching. Hepburn has to break the pair up as they seem to now being tangled up in each other arms. After that it seemed to be a jab and move for the rest of the round. Adams got in a quick left jab and right cross to Yvonne’s face just before the bell. Julie seemed to have done enough to win a very close round.

Round 6:

This round opened with some caution from both boxers as again jab and move was the opening. Craig broke through with right and left hooks to Adams’ body. Those shots stop Julie and Yvonne throws a wicked right cross to her face followed by a left uppercut. Adams is reeling now as goes to clinch but Yvoone throws 2 more uppercuts. AND DOWN GOES JULIE! Yvonne is shown to a neutral corner by Audrey who goes over to Julie. Hepburn begins the count over Adams. Julia was around by 7 but could not rise off her knees by 10. KO 6 – Yvonne Craig.

After:

Yvonne pumped her gloves after the bell rang. Soon Audrey called her to center of the ring where Hepburn raised her right glove and announced her as the winner.

Julie was now in her corner and being attended to. She watched as Yvonne celebrated her win for the cameras by posing.

We at the FCBA Historical Library are on the lookout for more fights from the past and we do look forward to finding more like this one. According to our research, these two did box again on a few more occasions. We look forward to locating and presenting those to you as well.