Retro Bout: CA. 1950's

Mitzi Gaynor vs. Kim Novak (II) by simguy 10/27/2001

The impetus for the second fight came entirely from Gaynor's camp after Novak's post-fight pose with her foot on the posterior of a dozing Mitzi when the first encounter ended in a stunning KO victory for the sultry Kim.

"I can handle losing," said Mitzi. "But nobody shows me up and gets away with it. I slugged with Kim last time but it was a mistake. I can do more in the ring - Kim can't. She's got to pay for what she did - pure and simple."

Kim Novak by this time was at the peak of her powers, knocking out any and all who opposed her, apparently fearless of reprisal.

"If Mitzi wants more," said Kim. "Then more she'll get. More of everything."

Kim wore a black one piece tank suit with white lace trim around the cleavage while blonde Mitzi chose a pink two piece hipster bikini with a bra style top.

Round 1: Gaynor did indeed feature her nifty feet and pin-prick jab early, but moving straight back gave pursuing Novak momentum and she soon pinned Mitzi with her back against the ropes. Stick and move gave way to crumpling work along the ropes - Novak leaning in, her forehead against Mitzi's chest, palms pushing back Mitzi's elbows to free up punching room downstairs. Good consistent effort gave Kim the round as Gaynor too often found herself laying in toe to toe.

Round 2: More early movement, a nice sharp double jab allowed Gaynor to dictate the first minute, but once again Novak would cut down the ring and get into position to do damage. Midway through, Kim stepped inside a Gaynor jab to turn a jolting left hook through Gaynor's chin - all shoulder, no backswing on the sudden punch. Mitzi's backside rippled as she desperately tried to clinch. The classy dancer would do no more fancy-stepping for the rest of the round. Novak got big all over Gaynor, bodying her to the ropes and pressing up then drifting hard right hands to Mitzi's tummy bulge and straightening to jerk that short left hook in around Mitzi's drooping right mitt. Gaynor in a stupor could only take - her head snapping sharply to the left as Kim's hooks did ruinous damage this round.

Round 3: Gaynor began to lump up - but fire still glowed in her expressive eyes. Mitzi stayed with the lateral movement, but now circled, turning instead of sagging into the ropes, luring Novak all around the ring. Gaynor sharp off that front foot, sometimes feinting the jab to poke in the straight lead right or clouting Novak's jaw with a sturdy hook, then escaping serious retort as Kim couldn't get set long enough to throw. Mitzi bagged an important round to stop the slide and bounced happily to her corner having gotten the better of her rival at last.

Round 4: Novak stepped up the pace, taking some risk to welt Gaynor's right flank with straight arm left hooks and the tactic succeeded in getting Mitzi off her toes. Gaynor, feeling the effects, drew her elbows in and went shoulder to shoulder with Kim, covering up to block; then working sharp off the counter with little clipping uppercuts inside. Novak's wide, blockbuster punching was eye-catching, but Gaynor was placing her shots effectively, stepping back and walking Novak into short, hurtful chin and chest music. The trade was even in terms of effective damage done, but by the final minute Novak had succeeded in backing Gaynor into a corner once more.

Down the stretch, Mitzi stopped punching as the bludgeoning effect of Kim's body attack took it's toll. Kim lathered Mitzi's sides, reaching down to come in underneath her elbows, then back up the middle with chugging right uppercuts, stuffing them into Mitzi's body as Gaynor gurgled forward. Kim's eyes glowed with triumph - Mitzi wasn't answering back, she was gutshot and hurting, and Novak poured on the beating with heartless determination. A series of rumbling lefts and rights up underneath patted and battered Mitzi as she leaned forward, out on her feet and dazed.

Novak stepped back and let Mitzi Gaynor crash face-first to the canvas, her hands trapped beneath her chest, her mouth lolling open on the mat. She wouldn't be getting up. Kim Novak graced the crowd with a sexy little smirk as this time she kicked Mitzi over onto her back and posed with her left foot planted firmly on Mitzi's proud, firm, curvy bosom for her second consecutive crushing knockout of the proud dancer.

After: Flashbulbs popped, capturing forever the image of Novak posing over a used up Mitzi Gaynor in one of the most humiliating moments in FCBA history. Gaynor had adjusted her style and thrown some tricks at Kim, but Novak wouldn't be denied, solving every Gaynor mystery with power and crushing persistence.

Kim's celebratory posing after these two wins led to an ugly, unresolvable enmity between the blondes that lasted the remainder of their careers and even spilled over into several wrestling matches, both officially in the ring and unofficially on the carpets of numerous Hollywood parties. Mitzi was left forever trying to even the score after two disastrous, personal, defeats at the hands of this famous blonde bomber.