Britt Ekland vs Anita Ekberg (Stockholm, 1965)
Jun 17, 2020 12:41:43 GMT -6
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Post by girlsfriday on Jun 17, 2020 12:41:43 GMT -6
Britt Ekland:
Vs
Anita Ekberg:
Tale of the Tape:
Britt Ekland:
Age: 22
Height: 5'5
Vs
Anita Ekberg:
Age: 34
Height: 5'6 ½
(Venue: Stockholm, Sweden, ca. Saturday 20th March 1965)
(Written by Girls Friday)
Intro:
In 1965 two major stars of Swedish cinema fought for national supremacy, Britt Ekland was starting to make her rise through the ranks as a star during this period, getting into big films, marrying Peter Sellers had threw her into the limelight.
Of course her agent was loving all of this, seeing the big money offers for movies and for the other side of being a stunning celebrity, plenty of high rollers wanted to see Britt wrestle and box her fellow starlets at the time, Britt herself had won catfights for roles in producers offices, so wasn't afraid of a good scrap.
Seeing another path for his client, Britt was set up to fight her fellow Swede Anita Ekberg, who after a disappointing loss to Ursula Andrews two years prior in her debut, had been getting a good reputation in the ring and on the carpets for boxing and catfighting.
While neither actress had paid much attention to each other, as soon as their agents had come to terms on the unofficial national title in Sweden that Anita held, suddenly the snipes in the media begun.
Britt was normally not the outspoken type, she would say to journalists for the tabloids "Anita I know is a good fighter, I think he time is coming to an end though, I've been working hard and well you'll see my results when we fight"
Anita on the other hand was more forthright with her views, calling Britt just a false dawn for taking her crown, telling a journalist "Britt can come at me as hard as she likes, she is just the latest in a long line of bimbos that got found in a shop and promised the world by an agent, when her world comes crashing down I hope she doesn't expect me to lift her back up"
The venue was the garden of a producer, no ropes or posts, the two fighters would have a large crowd though that while they have plenty of space to work, they would feel boxed in by the mass of men and women wanting to see this clash, feeling like the old street fights of Victorian era.
Britt came out first with her second holding a red stool, she wore a black robe with brown leather gloves on, her hair tied back into a ponytail as she stepped through the gap created to enter the space she'd be fighting in, she looked a little nervous this being her first fight in front of such a large crowd.
Out came Anita with her coach holding a blue stool, she wore a tiger print robe, with brown leather gloves, her hair braided for this contest, like her robe she looked at Britt through the space between the crowd with hungry eyes for her prey.
The host for this event brought the fighters to the center, asking both if they are sure they want to fight, Britt nods first before Anita firmly nods while bashing her gloves together.
Their seconds helped remove the fighters robes, the crowd whistling as both looked in amazing shape, the two months training looked well spent as both were toned from top to bottom.
Both women looked the other over before showing their teeth, that primal instincts to want to conquer a worthy foe was on show, if either had doubts about what their opponent was going to bring to the table, they knew now that this was going to be a real fight for them both.
Returning to their corners, both got in their gumshields and kissed their seconds on the cheek, a bell rung to begin 15 rounds of bantamweight action.
Round 1:
"Ding" at the bell they circle each other with probing punches, Britt taking the cleaner punches to start as Anita has the slight reach advantage, Britt trying to stay away from that right hand that has gained a reputation in Swedish female celebrity boxing.
Changing up the pace to a faster one, Britt digs two straights to the abs of Anita, dancing back to range after dodging a left cross aimed at her temple.
The sound of leather on flesh is clear for the crowd to hear as both women dance around the space, bouncing on their toes on the soft grass as they trade mostly jabs and straights, a few bigger punches coming but only glancing.
Britt's quickness seems to be making the difference as they head into the final minute, she ducks down to land two hooks to the body, trying to drive back Anita but ending up clinched up, both grappling till the referee can break the hellcats apart.
At the bell they head back to their corners, eyes firmly locked across the ring as seconds wash them down, the betting around them getting more energetic as big sums being placed on either woman.
Round 2:
Throwing more punches now they were warmed up, where Anita had two years prior tried to be a technical boxer, she threw more hooks with her feet planted now.
Anita landing some nice hooks to test the jaw of Britt out, back when the younger woman, covering up more as she got the first real taste of Anita's power.
That didn't stop Britt dipping down and moving inside to work those abs of Anita, this time forcing her back a little with three body punches that had the older fighter groaning out.
Pushing back Britt to create space, Anita missed with a straight as Britt slipped it, landing two rights under the ribs of Ekberg, AN OVERHAND LEFT TO THE CHIN OF ANITA SEND HER TO HER BACKSIDE!
The crowd applauding Britt as she told Anita to get up, the referee reminding her this is boxing, not a catfight as he nudges her to a neutral corner so the count could begin.
1...2...3...4.. Pushing to her knee, Anita didn't look really hurt, more a flash knockdown, 5...6...7.. Standing up and banging her gloves together, she waved Britt to bring it.
Which they did for the final forty seconds of the round, nearly clashing heads as they pounded the others body and even some sneaky punches to the others breasts, it looked like they wanted to ruin every part of each other.
At the bell they separated to a loud cheer from the crowd, enjoying the energy both had brought, nobody seeing this going the distance at this pace.
Round 3:
Britt started off as she did the last round, her footwork and speed of hand were impressive, she was landing some nice counter punches, she'd remark in later years her dad had taught her how to defend herself growing up, showing she'd been a keen student over her fighting career.
As she stepped in though after an impressive opening minute, this time Anita showed her experience, baiting her in with a jab that Britt ducked under, the uppercut from Anita landed sweet to straighten up Ekland into a left cross.
Back around the outside of the fighting area Britt was herded, stuck behind her guard as Anita showed off her own precision, testing those abs of Britt she'd been forming since becoming an actress.
Another left smacks Britt across her cheek, she is pressed against the chest of a tall man, who can hear the venomous hits from the older woman, wanting to show her younger rival her place in this world of glamour and fighting.
Clinching up with Anita, the two proud Swedes exchange insults as they fire cruel punches to the others kidneys, the referee struggling to break the fighters apart.
Final moments of the round saw Britt land some nice crisp jabs as she moved side to side, not wanting a repeat of being pressed against someone.
The round concluded with Anita telling Britt "welcome to the big leagues honey" to chuckles from the crowd, Britt scowling at her in reply as it didn't matter who won this fight, neither was going to be shaking the others hand it seemed.
Round 4:
Sticking and moving, Britt was trying to reestablish control of the fight, she'd done a good job of marking up the cheeks of Anita, she couldn't keep the older woman too far off her though.
A left cross smacking her across her face, Britt ate a straight to her lips to further knock her back, Anita staying up close and personal with her now, feeling she had the greater strength with her strong legs helping her generate her power.
A right hook turned Britt's head to the side, with a left turning it the other way, sweat flew off her head as her eyes shut, AN UPPERCUT SENT EKLAND TO HER BACK!
Raising her fists up as she strutted to the neutral corner, Anita unlike Britt was used to all the formalities of boxing, she chatted to a writer she'd worked with in the crowd as if she wasn't fighting another beautiful woman in just a bikini.
1...2...3...4.. Britt shook her head as she turned to all fours, 5...6...7.. Staring up angrily at the referee, 8... She stood up and told Anita "I ain't done yet bytch!" Making Anita grin, she seemed to be enjoying fighting this young contender to her throne, no hint of worry she might lose her spot to this youngster.
Making a mistake as she went for the kill, Anita ate an overhand right as she stepped in with an uppercut that was easily telegraphed, a left cross knocked her back now as Britt looked like the one who had scored the knockdown.
Soon the round come to a close with both women shoving apart, exchanging a few insults on the way back to their corners, the crowd applauded both women's spirit.
Round 5:
Resuming where they left off the last round, Britt continued to look for the counter, Anita to land the big hooks, both landed some sweet punches that sent sweat off their heads.
Barks and groans could be heard as the fighters kept moving to the inside, Britt smartly for her lack of experience would step back to create space, bashing Anita to her cheeks and across her mouth.
Anita though worked this out and when Britt tried to move back, she landed an uppercut that pushed back Britt to her heels, momentum changing as Anita pounded back the rookie.
Clinched up as she neared her own corner, Britt's cheeks were starting to look a little puffy, eating too many power punches for her seconds liking as the referee breaks them apart.
Soon more jabs and straights are knocking back Britt, she isn't moving as much up on her toes, giving Anita an easier target to hit as they trade stiff straight punches, Ekland's head being rocked more then her opponent's.
At the conclusion of the round Britt's lips are bleeding, she sits on her stool staring at Anita, almost like she wants to tear the gloves off and just go for her like she'd had to do in casting sessions with some rivals.
Round 6:
The spring was definitely gone from Britt's steps, she was trying to rough up Anita on the inside, getting a elbow to her chest that made her retreat as Anita just smirked at her.
Britt's second yelled instructions that were seemingly getting ignored, Anita slamming some nasty hooks that looked to be wobbling Ekland, her legs definitely shaking after a left/right hook to the side of her head.
Backed to the center of the ring by Anita, Britt eats a left cross, HER CHIN IS OPEN FOR A RIGHT HOOK THAT SENDS BRITT DOWN TO THE GRASS ON HER FRONT!
Anita flexes her arms for the crowd as she marches to the neutral corner, 1...2...3...4.. Britt looks up but her eyes look glossy, she is reaching for something to help her up, 5...6...7.. But she isn't near anyone or anything, just laying in the center of the crowd, 8...9...10 that was it!
Winner Anita Ekberg KO Round 6:
After:
Anita had defended her throne as the best Swedish celebrity fighter, she posed over Britt for the cameras, the host holding her hand up as Britt just sobbed into her gloves, wondering where it had gone wrong.
The winner had a point to prove though, getting her gloves off and tossing her gumshield away, Anita grabbed Britt by her hair to get her up to all fours.
Britt pleaded with Anita to let her go, Ekberg told her beaten rival "no dear I won't, you challenged me and look at you now, covered in grass and worthless to all these people" Britt wanted the ground to eat her then and there.
Things got worse for Britt as Anita said "I think she needs a good clean" dragging Britt by her hair and wedging the bottoms of Ekland into her backside, Anita tossed Britt into the pool to cheers and laughter.
All the while Anita stood hands on hips staring at Britt menacingly, telling her without needing any words that "you are beneath me, don't you dare try to take my spot again" Britt looked up angrily at being treated as such.
While this night ended badly for Britt, her agent got the chop, she would become a big star with help from her new agent, she would also have rivalries with the likes of Caroline Munro and Raquel Welch in her fighting career.
Anita on the other hand would stall compared to Britt, she won the battle but overall the war was lost without her realising till it was too late, as with everything in Tinseltown at that time, her run was on a time limit, when she got to an age where she wasn't seen as a star anymore by producers, she finished her career in Italy.
Vs
Anita Ekberg:
Tale of the Tape:
Britt Ekland:
Age: 22
Height: 5'5
Vs
Anita Ekberg:
Age: 34
Height: 5'6 ½
(Venue: Stockholm, Sweden, ca. Saturday 20th March 1965)
(Written by Girls Friday)
Intro:
In 1965 two major stars of Swedish cinema fought for national supremacy, Britt Ekland was starting to make her rise through the ranks as a star during this period, getting into big films, marrying Peter Sellers had threw her into the limelight.
Of course her agent was loving all of this, seeing the big money offers for movies and for the other side of being a stunning celebrity, plenty of high rollers wanted to see Britt wrestle and box her fellow starlets at the time, Britt herself had won catfights for roles in producers offices, so wasn't afraid of a good scrap.
Seeing another path for his client, Britt was set up to fight her fellow Swede Anita Ekberg, who after a disappointing loss to Ursula Andrews two years prior in her debut, had been getting a good reputation in the ring and on the carpets for boxing and catfighting.
While neither actress had paid much attention to each other, as soon as their agents had come to terms on the unofficial national title in Sweden that Anita held, suddenly the snipes in the media begun.
Britt was normally not the outspoken type, she would say to journalists for the tabloids "Anita I know is a good fighter, I think he time is coming to an end though, I've been working hard and well you'll see my results when we fight"
Anita on the other hand was more forthright with her views, calling Britt just a false dawn for taking her crown, telling a journalist "Britt can come at me as hard as she likes, she is just the latest in a long line of bimbos that got found in a shop and promised the world by an agent, when her world comes crashing down I hope she doesn't expect me to lift her back up"
The venue was the garden of a producer, no ropes or posts, the two fighters would have a large crowd though that while they have plenty of space to work, they would feel boxed in by the mass of men and women wanting to see this clash, feeling like the old street fights of Victorian era.
Britt came out first with her second holding a red stool, she wore a black robe with brown leather gloves on, her hair tied back into a ponytail as she stepped through the gap created to enter the space she'd be fighting in, she looked a little nervous this being her first fight in front of such a large crowd.
Out came Anita with her coach holding a blue stool, she wore a tiger print robe, with brown leather gloves, her hair braided for this contest, like her robe she looked at Britt through the space between the crowd with hungry eyes for her prey.
The host for this event brought the fighters to the center, asking both if they are sure they want to fight, Britt nods first before Anita firmly nods while bashing her gloves together.
Their seconds helped remove the fighters robes, the crowd whistling as both looked in amazing shape, the two months training looked well spent as both were toned from top to bottom.
Both women looked the other over before showing their teeth, that primal instincts to want to conquer a worthy foe was on show, if either had doubts about what their opponent was going to bring to the table, they knew now that this was going to be a real fight for them both.
Returning to their corners, both got in their gumshields and kissed their seconds on the cheek, a bell rung to begin 15 rounds of bantamweight action.
Round 1:
"Ding" at the bell they circle each other with probing punches, Britt taking the cleaner punches to start as Anita has the slight reach advantage, Britt trying to stay away from that right hand that has gained a reputation in Swedish female celebrity boxing.
Changing up the pace to a faster one, Britt digs two straights to the abs of Anita, dancing back to range after dodging a left cross aimed at her temple.
The sound of leather on flesh is clear for the crowd to hear as both women dance around the space, bouncing on their toes on the soft grass as they trade mostly jabs and straights, a few bigger punches coming but only glancing.
Britt's quickness seems to be making the difference as they head into the final minute, she ducks down to land two hooks to the body, trying to drive back Anita but ending up clinched up, both grappling till the referee can break the hellcats apart.
At the bell they head back to their corners, eyes firmly locked across the ring as seconds wash them down, the betting around them getting more energetic as big sums being placed on either woman.
Round 2:
Throwing more punches now they were warmed up, where Anita had two years prior tried to be a technical boxer, she threw more hooks with her feet planted now.
Anita landing some nice hooks to test the jaw of Britt out, back when the younger woman, covering up more as she got the first real taste of Anita's power.
That didn't stop Britt dipping down and moving inside to work those abs of Anita, this time forcing her back a little with three body punches that had the older fighter groaning out.
Pushing back Britt to create space, Anita missed with a straight as Britt slipped it, landing two rights under the ribs of Ekberg, AN OVERHAND LEFT TO THE CHIN OF ANITA SEND HER TO HER BACKSIDE!
The crowd applauding Britt as she told Anita to get up, the referee reminding her this is boxing, not a catfight as he nudges her to a neutral corner so the count could begin.
1...2...3...4.. Pushing to her knee, Anita didn't look really hurt, more a flash knockdown, 5...6...7.. Standing up and banging her gloves together, she waved Britt to bring it.
Which they did for the final forty seconds of the round, nearly clashing heads as they pounded the others body and even some sneaky punches to the others breasts, it looked like they wanted to ruin every part of each other.
At the bell they separated to a loud cheer from the crowd, enjoying the energy both had brought, nobody seeing this going the distance at this pace.
Round 3:
Britt started off as she did the last round, her footwork and speed of hand were impressive, she was landing some nice counter punches, she'd remark in later years her dad had taught her how to defend herself growing up, showing she'd been a keen student over her fighting career.
As she stepped in though after an impressive opening minute, this time Anita showed her experience, baiting her in with a jab that Britt ducked under, the uppercut from Anita landed sweet to straighten up Ekland into a left cross.
Back around the outside of the fighting area Britt was herded, stuck behind her guard as Anita showed off her own precision, testing those abs of Britt she'd been forming since becoming an actress.
Another left smacks Britt across her cheek, she is pressed against the chest of a tall man, who can hear the venomous hits from the older woman, wanting to show her younger rival her place in this world of glamour and fighting.
Clinching up with Anita, the two proud Swedes exchange insults as they fire cruel punches to the others kidneys, the referee struggling to break the fighters apart.
Final moments of the round saw Britt land some nice crisp jabs as she moved side to side, not wanting a repeat of being pressed against someone.
The round concluded with Anita telling Britt "welcome to the big leagues honey" to chuckles from the crowd, Britt scowling at her in reply as it didn't matter who won this fight, neither was going to be shaking the others hand it seemed.
Round 4:
Sticking and moving, Britt was trying to reestablish control of the fight, she'd done a good job of marking up the cheeks of Anita, she couldn't keep the older woman too far off her though.
A left cross smacking her across her face, Britt ate a straight to her lips to further knock her back, Anita staying up close and personal with her now, feeling she had the greater strength with her strong legs helping her generate her power.
A right hook turned Britt's head to the side, with a left turning it the other way, sweat flew off her head as her eyes shut, AN UPPERCUT SENT EKLAND TO HER BACK!
Raising her fists up as she strutted to the neutral corner, Anita unlike Britt was used to all the formalities of boxing, she chatted to a writer she'd worked with in the crowd as if she wasn't fighting another beautiful woman in just a bikini.
1...2...3...4.. Britt shook her head as she turned to all fours, 5...6...7.. Staring up angrily at the referee, 8... She stood up and told Anita "I ain't done yet bytch!" Making Anita grin, she seemed to be enjoying fighting this young contender to her throne, no hint of worry she might lose her spot to this youngster.
Making a mistake as she went for the kill, Anita ate an overhand right as she stepped in with an uppercut that was easily telegraphed, a left cross knocked her back now as Britt looked like the one who had scored the knockdown.
Soon the round come to a close with both women shoving apart, exchanging a few insults on the way back to their corners, the crowd applauded both women's spirit.
Round 5:
Resuming where they left off the last round, Britt continued to look for the counter, Anita to land the big hooks, both landed some sweet punches that sent sweat off their heads.
Barks and groans could be heard as the fighters kept moving to the inside, Britt smartly for her lack of experience would step back to create space, bashing Anita to her cheeks and across her mouth.
Anita though worked this out and when Britt tried to move back, she landed an uppercut that pushed back Britt to her heels, momentum changing as Anita pounded back the rookie.
Clinched up as she neared her own corner, Britt's cheeks were starting to look a little puffy, eating too many power punches for her seconds liking as the referee breaks them apart.
Soon more jabs and straights are knocking back Britt, she isn't moving as much up on her toes, giving Anita an easier target to hit as they trade stiff straight punches, Ekland's head being rocked more then her opponent's.
At the conclusion of the round Britt's lips are bleeding, she sits on her stool staring at Anita, almost like she wants to tear the gloves off and just go for her like she'd had to do in casting sessions with some rivals.
Round 6:
The spring was definitely gone from Britt's steps, she was trying to rough up Anita on the inside, getting a elbow to her chest that made her retreat as Anita just smirked at her.
Britt's second yelled instructions that were seemingly getting ignored, Anita slamming some nasty hooks that looked to be wobbling Ekland, her legs definitely shaking after a left/right hook to the side of her head.
Backed to the center of the ring by Anita, Britt eats a left cross, HER CHIN IS OPEN FOR A RIGHT HOOK THAT SENDS BRITT DOWN TO THE GRASS ON HER FRONT!
Anita flexes her arms for the crowd as she marches to the neutral corner, 1...2...3...4.. Britt looks up but her eyes look glossy, she is reaching for something to help her up, 5...6...7.. But she isn't near anyone or anything, just laying in the center of the crowd, 8...9...10 that was it!
Winner Anita Ekberg KO Round 6:
After:
Anita had defended her throne as the best Swedish celebrity fighter, she posed over Britt for the cameras, the host holding her hand up as Britt just sobbed into her gloves, wondering where it had gone wrong.
The winner had a point to prove though, getting her gloves off and tossing her gumshield away, Anita grabbed Britt by her hair to get her up to all fours.
Britt pleaded with Anita to let her go, Ekberg told her beaten rival "no dear I won't, you challenged me and look at you now, covered in grass and worthless to all these people" Britt wanted the ground to eat her then and there.
Things got worse for Britt as Anita said "I think she needs a good clean" dragging Britt by her hair and wedging the bottoms of Ekland into her backside, Anita tossed Britt into the pool to cheers and laughter.
All the while Anita stood hands on hips staring at Britt menacingly, telling her without needing any words that "you are beneath me, don't you dare try to take my spot again" Britt looked up angrily at being treated as such.
While this night ended badly for Britt, her agent got the chop, she would become a big star with help from her new agent, she would also have rivalries with the likes of Caroline Munro and Raquel Welch in her fighting career.
Anita on the other hand would stall compared to Britt, she won the battle but overall the war was lost without her realising till it was too late, as with everything in Tinseltown at that time, her run was on a time limit, when she got to an age where she wasn't seen as a star anymore by producers, she finished her career in Italy.
