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Bob Montgomery
Bob Montgomery 1943b.jpg
Montgomery winning the world title in 1943
Statistics
Real name Bob Montgomery
Nickname(s) Bobcat
Rated at Lightweight
Height 5 ft 7.5 in (1.71 m)
Reach 70 in (178 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1919-02-10)February 10, 1919
Sumter, South Carolina, US
Died August 25, 1998(1998-08-25) (aged 79)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 97
Wins 75
Wins by KO 37
Losses 19
Draws 3

Bob Montgomery (February 10, 1919 – August 25, 1998) was an American lightweight boxer who took the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) World Lightweight Championship in May 1943, and again in March 1944. His managers included Frankie Thomas and Joe Gramby.

Early life and career

Montgomery was born on February 10, 1919, in Sumter, South Carolina. He came to Philadelphia in 1934 during the depression and found a job as a "puller" in a laundry where he pulled clothes out of large industrial laundering machines. He began amateur boxing and training at the "Slaughterhouse", a gym on Philadelphia's Eighth Street and Girard Avenue.

He went undefeated in his first 23 fights, with a record of 22-0-1 and won the Pennsylvania State Lightweight Title in a bout against Mike Evens on October 24, 1939, in Philadelphia.

On September 16, 1940, Montgomery lost to Lew Jenkins in a ten-round unanimous decision before a crowd of 12,900 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. Jenkins was down in the third round for a count of nine. The United Press gave Jenkins five rounds to four for Montgomery, though ring officials gave Jenkins a somewhat wider margin.

Montgomery was the uncle of Motown Records star Tammi Terrell (born Thomasina "Tommy" Montgomery).

Boxing career

Montgomery beat Julie Kogon three times. Their first fight was at the Broadway Arena in Brooklyn on January 28, 1941, and Montgomery won by decision. They fought again on October 24 that year, at the Chicago Coliseum, with Montgomery again winning by decision. The two squared off for the last time on June 2, 1947, in Kogon's hometown at the New Haven Arena, and Montgomery had another decision win.

Montgomery lost to former lightweight champ Sammy Angott by split decision at Shibe Park on July 7, 1942.

In 1942 Montgomery had two battles with Maxie Shapiro. In the first fight Montgomery lost by decision in Philadelphia, but he won the rematch two months later by unanimous decision in the same arena.

Taking the NYSAC World Lightweight Title from Beau Jack, May 1943

Montgomery won recognition by New York state as Lightweight Champion of the World after beating Beau Jack by a fifteen-round unanimous decision on May 21, 1943. Jack won the first round by a wide margin with a flurry of uppercuts and his signature free-wheeling, constant punching from many angles. But Montgomery quickly settled down and scored frequently with a strong straight right that at times had Jack close to a knockout and against which he could find no adequate defense. Jack's eyes were virtually closed during much of the bout, but Montgomery's injuries were restricted to a cut above one eye. A right to the chin briefly knocked Jack to his knees in the eleventh round and he struggled in the remaining rounds. One ringside reporter gave Montgomery eleven rounds to only four for Jack.

Montgomery beat Petey Scalzo in a sixth-round TKO in Philadelphia on October 25, 1943, in Convention Hall in Philadelphia. Montgomery knocked down Scalzo three times during the bout.

Losing the NYSAC World Lightweight Title to Beau Jack, November 1943

Montgomery lost the NYSAC World Lightweight Title to Jack in a fifteen-round title match by decision before 17,466 fans on November 19, 1943, at the Garden. The bout was close and in the fourteenth, Montgomery may have had Jack close to a knockout. The United Press scored eight for Jack, five for Montgomery, with two even, though a few of the judges gave as many as six rounds to Montgomery. Jack excelled in both in-fighting and at long range boxing where Montgomery, with a slight advantage in height, would normally have the advantage. Jack's straight rights had Montgomery shaky in the third and fifth rounds.

On January 25, 1944, Montgomery impressively knocked out powerful Black lightweight Ike Williams in the twelfth round at Convention Hall in Philadelphia. Montgomery hammered Williams repeatedly in the first eleven rounds. As Williams walked out of his corner for the twelfth round, Mongtomery tagged him with a series of straight rights that twice floored him for eight counts. Upon rising, Montgomery floored Williams for the final count with a right to the jaw, and he went down by the ropes. Williams would take the World Lightweight Championship in April 1945, holding it for several years.

Montgomery lost to Al "Bummy" Davis at Madison Square Garden in a non-title bout before 17,654 fans in a first-round KO on February 18, 1944. Montgomery went down once, before rising and being knocked to the mat by a left hook for a full count 1:03 into the first round.

Re-taking the NYSAC World Lightweight Title from Beau Jack, November 1944

He retook the title from Beau Jack on March 3, 1944, at Madison Square Garden in a fifteen-round split decision before 19,066 fans. Jack had led in the early betting. The fighting was fierce and close throughout and Montgomery was given no more than a two-round advantage by the judges or referee, though the Associated Press scored the bout 8 for Montgomery, 4 for Jack, and three even. After the bout, Montgomery was drafted into the US Army. He continued to box while serving in the Army and was released by June 1946, when he defeated Allie Stoltz.

On February 13, 1945, Montgomery had a fierce bout with Cecil Hudson at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, winning in a ten-round decision. Montgomery received a furlough from active Army duty at Luke Field Arizona, and had not appeared in a competitive match for four months. Through the first six rounds, Montgomery was perplexed by Hudson's dodges and weaves, and unable to land many solid blows. Hudson was knocked to the canvas after the bell in the fourth, and was down very briefly in the eighth and ninth rounds, once Montgomery found his range. Until the two knockdowns, Hudson was leading slightly in points, according to the United Press scoring. In the fury of fighting, one source noted that Montgomery was penalized in a few rounds for hitting after the bell.

Defending the NYSAC World Lightweight Title against Allie Stoltz, and Wesley Mouzon, 1946

He successfully defended his second NYSAC World Lightweight Title against Allie Stoltz before 10,872 fans at Madison Square Garden in a thirteenth-round knockout on June 28, 1946. The telling blow was a right to Stolz, 2:54 into the thirteenth, but in a decisive win, Montgomery put Stoltz on the canvas as many as five times prior to the final knockout. Stoltz was down in second, sixth, and eleventh rounds. He may have lacked conditioning from his four and a half month layoff from the ring. He fought gamely and continued to take punishment, even landing a solid right to the chin of Montgomery in the sixth round.

On November 26, 1946, Montgomery defended his NYSAC World Lightweight Title against Wesley Mouzon in an eighth-round knockout at Convention Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania before a substantial crowd, of 12,416. Surprisingly, he had just lost to Mouzon by knockout in a non-title bout only three months previously on August 19, 1946, at Shibe Park in Philadelphia. In their fiercely fought November title match, Mouzon took the first three rounds with speed and jabs, but Montgomery countered with body blows and rights, before ending the bout 2:18 into the eighth with a long left hook. Mouzon took a serious lacing throughout all but the first round, and had a serious injury to his right eye.

On February 7, 1947, Montgomery had a difficult loss to Tony Pellone before a crowd of 11,365 at Olympia Stadium in Detroit in a ten-round unanimous decision. The Associated Press wrote that the crowd was satisfied with the decision for Pellone even though he was the underdog in the bout. Pellone took the aggressive with hard punches to the face and head of his opponent. Montgomery slipped to the canvas in the second for a count of two.

Losing second World Lightweight Title, August 1947

He lost the World Lightweight Title for the last time against Ike Williams in a six-round TKO on August 4, 1947, at Municipal Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Montgomery was first knocked for a nine count in the sixth, and eventually the referee stopped the bout after Montgomery seemed helpless against the attacks of Williams. The blow that sent Montgomery to the mat for a count of nine in the sixth was a right to the chin by the hard punching Williams. Williams was four years younger, which may have played a role in the advantage he had against the ring weary Montgomery.

Life after boxing

Montgomery became a promoter at the end of his career. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995.

He died of complications from a stroke at Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Coatsville, outside Philadelphia on August 25, 1998. He is buried at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
97 fights 75 wins 19 losses
By knockout 37 3
By decision 38 16
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
97 Loss 75–19–3 Eddie Giosa UD 10 Mar 27, 1950 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
96 Loss 75–18–3 Don Williams UD 10 Mar 9, 1950 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
95 Loss 75–17–3 Johnny Greco UD 10 Feb 27, 1950 Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
94 Loss 75–16–3 Aldo Minelli PTS 10 Feb 3, 1950 Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., US
93 Loss 75–15–3 Joey Angelo MD 10 Dec 22, 1947 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
92 Loss 75–14–3 Livio Minelli UD 10 Nov 24, 1947 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
91 Loss 75–13–3 Ike Williams TKO 6 (15) Aug 4, 1947 Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Lost NYSAC lightweight title;
For NBA and vacant The Ring lightweight titles
90 Win 75–12–3 Frankie Cordino PTS 10 Jun 9, 1947 Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
89 Win 74–12–3 Julie Kogon PTS 10 Jun 2, 1947 Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
88 Win 73–12–3 George LaRover UD 10 May 12, 1947 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
87 Win 72–12–3 Jesse Flores KO 3 (10) Mar 31, 1947 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
86 Win 71–12–3 Joey Barnum TKO 7 (10), 1:46 Feb 25, 1947 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
85 Loss 70–12–3 Tony Pellone UD 10 Feb 7, 1947 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
84 Win 70–11–3 Eddie Giosa TKO 5 (10), 2:18 Jan 20, 1947 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
83 Win 69–11–3 Wesley Mouzon KO 8 (15), 2:18 Nov 26, 1946 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Retained NYSAC lightweight title
82 Loss 68–11–3 Wesley Mouzon KO 2 (12), 1:48 Aug 19, 1946 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
81 Win 68–10–3 George LaRover UD 10 Jul 29, 1946 Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
80 Win 67–10–3 Allie Stolz KO 13 (15), 2:54 Jun 28, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Retained NYSAC lightweight title
79 Win 66–10–3 Ernie Petrone KO 4 (10) Mar 21, 1946 Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
78 Win 65–10–3 Tony Pellone UD 10 Mar 8, 1946 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
77 Win 64–10–3 Leo Rodak SD 10 Feb 15, 1946 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
76 Win 63–10–3 Billy Parsons PTS 10 Feb 3, 1946 Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
75 Win 62–10–3 Nick Moran SD 10 Jul 9, 1945 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
74 Loss 61–10–3 Nick Moran MD 10 May 8, 1945 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
73 Win 61–9–3 Genaro Rojo TKO 8 (10), 1:51 Mar 20, 1945 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
72 Win 60–9–3 Cecil Hudson UD 10 Feb 13, 1945 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
71 Loss 59–9–3 Beau Jack MD 10 Aug 4, 1944 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
70 Win 59–8–3 Joey Peralta UD 10 Apr 28, 1944 Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
69 Win 58–8–3 Beau Jack SD 15 Mar 3, 1944 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won NYSAC lightweight title
68 Loss 57–8–3 Al 'Bummy' Davis TKO 1 (10), 1:03 Feb 18, 1944 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
67 Win 57–7–3 Ike Williams KO 12 (12), 2:49 Jan 25, 1944 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
66 Win 56–7–3 Joey Peralta UD 10 Jan 7, 1944 Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
65 Loss 55–7–3 Beau Jack UD 15 Nov 19, 1943 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Lost NYSAC lightweight title
64 Win 55–6–3 Petey Scalzo TKO 6 (10), 0:53 Oct 25, 1943 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
63 Win 54–6–3 Fritzie Zivic UD 10 Aug 23, 1943 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
62 Win 53–6–3 Frankie Wills UD 10 Jul 20, 1943 Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., US
61 Win 52–6–3 Al Reasoner KO 6 (10), 2:51 Jul 4, 1943 Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
60 Win 51–6–3 Beau Jack UD 15 May 21, 1943 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US Won NYSAC lightweight title
59 Win 50–6–3 Henry Vasquez PTS 8 May 3, 1943 Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
58 Win 49–6–3 Gene Johnson UD 10 Apr 30, 1943 Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US
57 Win 48–6–3 Roman Alvarez KO 4 (10), 1:27 Apr 5, 1943 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
56 Win 47–6–3 Lulu Costantino UD 10 Feb 22, 1943 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
55 Win 46–6–3 Chester Rico TKO 7 (15) Jan 8, 1943 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
54 Win 45–6–3 Maxie Shapiro UD 10 Dec 1, 1942 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
53 Loss 44–6–3 Maxie Shapiro MD 10 Oct 6, 1942 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
52 Win 44–5–3 Bobby Ruffin UD 10 Aug 13, 1942 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
51 Loss 43–5–3 Sammy Angott SD 12 Jul 7, 1942 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
50 Win 43–4–3 Carmen Notch PTS 10 May 8, 1942 Ice House, Toledo, Ohio, US
49 Win 42–4–3 Joey Peralta UD 10 Apr 20, 1942 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
48 Loss 41–4–3 Sammy Angott UD 12 Mar 6, 1942 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
47 Win 41–3–3 Mayon Padlo KO 8 (10), 1:26 Jan 5, 1942 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
46 Win 40–3–3 Jimmy Garrison TKO 4 (10), 3:00 Dec 8, 1941 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
45 Win 39–3–3 Frankie Wallace TKO 5 (10) Oct 30, 1941 Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US
44 Win 38–3–3 Julie Kogon UD 10 Oct 24, 1941 Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
43 Win 37–3–3 Davey Day KO 1 (10), 2:59 Oct 10, 1941 Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
42 Win 36–3–3 Mike Kaplan UD 10 Sep 8, 1941 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
41 Win 35–3–3 Slugger White UD 10 Jul 14, 1941 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
40 Win 34–3–3 Frankie Wallace KO 3 (10) Jul 3, 1941 Garden Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
39 Win 33–3–3 Wishy Jones TKO 4 (10) Jun 30, 1941 Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., US
38 Win 32–3–3 Manuel Villa II KO 1 (10), 1:50 Jun 16, 1941 Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
37 Win 31–3–3 Lew Jenkins UD 10 May 16, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
36 Win 30–3–3 Nick Peters TKO 3 (10) Apr 28, 1941 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
35 Win 29–3–3 George Zengaras TKO 3 (10), 1:22 Mar 3, 1941 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
34 Win 28–3–3 Al Nettlow PTS 8 Feb 7, 1941 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
33 Win 27–3–3 Julie Kogon PTS 8 Jan 28, 1941 Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
32 Loss 26–3–3 Sammy Angott MD 10 Nov 25, 1940 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
31 Draw 26–2–3 Norment Quarles PTS 10 Nov 7, 1940 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
30 Loss 26–2–2 Lew Jenkins UD 10 Sep 16, 1940 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
29 Win 26–1–2 Jimmy Vaughn KO 2 (10) Jul 5, 1940 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
28 Win 25–1–2 Al Nettlow UD 12 Jun 3, 1940 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
27 Win 24–1–2 Al Nettlow SD 10 Mar 11, 1940 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
26 Draw 23–1–2 Al Nettlow PTS 10 Jan 29, 1940 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
25 Win 23–1–1 Mike Evans KO 1 (10), 2:19 Nov 27, 1939 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
24 Loss 22–1–1 Tommy Speigal UD 10 Nov 10, 1939 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Lost USA Pennsylvania State lightweight title
23 Win 22–0–1 Mike Evans UD 10 Oct 23, 1939 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US Won USA Pennsylvania State lightweight title
22 Win 21–0–1 Charley Gilley TKO 6 (8) Oct 5, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
21 Win 20–0–1 Ray Ingram PTS 10 Aug 24, 1939 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
20 Win 19–0–1 Jimmy Murray TKO 3 (6), 1:17 Aug 14, 1939 Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
19 Win 18–0–1 Frankie Wallace PTS 10 Jul 3, 1939 Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
18 Win 17–0–1 Tommy Rawson Jr. KO 1 (8), 2:24 Jun 21, 1939 Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
17 Win 16–0–1 Charley Burns KO 2 (8), 2:25 Jun 15, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
16 Win 15–0–1 Norment Quarles TKO 4 (10) May 23, 1939 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
15 Draw 14–0–1 George Zengaras PTS 10 May 1, 1939 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
14 Win 14–0 Eddie Guerra PTS 8 Apr 20, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
13 Win 13–0 Young Raspi TKO 6 (8) Apr 13, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
12 Win 12–0 Benny Berman PTS 8 Mar 30, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
11 Win 11–0 Frankie Saia KO 4 (8), 2:12 Mar 16, 1939 Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
10 Win 10–0 Billy Miller TKO 2 (8) Mar 9, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
9 Win 9–0 Jay Macedon PTS 8 Feb 23, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
8 Win 8–0 Charley Burns PTS 8 Feb 2, 1939 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
7 Win 7–0 Harvey Jacobs KO 1 (8), 1:39 Jan 19, 1939 North Side Boxing Club, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
6 Win 6–0 Jackie Sheppard PTS 8 Dec 8, 1938 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
5 Win 5–0 Red Rossi KO 2 (6) Nov 17, 1938 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
4 Win 4–0 Joe Beltrante TKO 3 (6), 2:45 Nov 10, 1938 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
3 Win 3–0 Eddie Stewart TKO 2 (6) Nov 4, 1938 Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
2 Win 2–0 Pat Patucci KO 2 (6) Oct 27, 1938 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
1 Win 1–0 Young Johnny Buff KO 2 (6) Oct 13, 1938 Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US

Boxing achievements and honors

Achievements
Preceded by
Beau Jack
NYSAC lightweight champion
May 21, 1943 – November 19, 1943
Succeeded by
Beau Jack
Preceded by
Beau Jack
NYSAC lightweight champion
March 03, 1944 - August 04, 1947
Succeeded by
Ike Williams

See also

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