Bob Montgomery (boxer)


Bob Montgomery was an American lightweight boxer who took the New York State Athletic Commission World Lightweight Championship in May 1943, and again in March 1944. Known as the Philadelphia Bobcat, 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.

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

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
97LossEddie GiosaUD10Mar 27, 1950Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
96Loss75–18–3Don WilliamsUD10Mar 9, 1950Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
95Loss75–17–3Johnny GrecoUD10Feb 27, 1950Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
94Loss75–16–3Aldo MinelliPTS10Feb 3, 1950Uline Arena, Washington, D.C., US
93Loss75–15–3Joey AngeloMD10Dec 22, 1947Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US
92Loss75–14–3Livio MinelliUD10Nov 24, 1947Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
91Loss75–13–3Ike WilliamsTKO6 Aug 4, 1947Municipal Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USLost NYSAC lightweight title;
For NBA and vacant The Ring lightweight titles
90Win75–12–3Frankie CordinoPTS10Jun 9, 1947Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
89Win74–12–3Julie KogonPTS10Jun 2, 1947Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
88Win73–12–3George LaRoverUD10May 12, 1947Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
87Win72–12–3Jesse FloresKO3 Mar 31, 1947Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, US
86Win71–12–3Joey BarnumTKO7, 1:46Feb 25, 1947Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
85Loss70–12–3Tony PelloneUD10Feb 7, 1947Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
84Win70–11–3Eddie GiosaTKO5, 2:18Jan 20, 1947Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
83Win69–11–3Wesley MouzonKO8, 2:18Nov 26, 1946Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USRetained NYSAC lightweight title
82Loss68–11–3Wesley MouzonKO2, 1:48Aug 19, 1946Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
81Win68–10–3George LaRoverUD10Jul 29, 1946Century Stadium, West Springfield, Massachusetts, US
80Win67–10–3Allie StolzKO13, 2:54Jun 28, 1946Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USRetained NYSAC lightweight title
79Win66–10–3Ernie PetroneKO4 Mar 21, 1946Arena, New Haven, Connecticut, US
78Win65–10–3Tony PelloneUD10Mar 8, 1946Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
77Win64–10–3Leo RodakSD10Feb 15, 1946Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
76Win63–10–3Billy ParsonsPTS10Feb 3, 1946Coliseum Arena, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
75Win62–10–3Nick MoranSD10Jul 9, 1945Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
74Loss61–10–3Nick MoranMD10May 8, 1945Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
73Win61–9–3Genaro RojoTKO8, 1:51Mar 20, 1945Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
72Win60–9–3Cecil HudsonUD10Feb 13, 1945Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
71Loss59–9–3Beau JackMD10Aug 4, 1944Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
70Win59–8–3Joey PeraltaUD10Apr 28, 1944Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
69Win58–8–3Beau JackSD15Mar 3, 1944Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWon NYSAC lightweight title
68Loss57–8–3Al 'Bummy' DavisTKO1, 1:03Feb 18, 1944Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
67Win57–7–3Ike WilliamsKO12, 2:49Jan 25, 1944Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
66Win56–7–3Joey PeraltaUD10Jan 7, 1944Olympia Stadium, Detroit, Michigan, US
65Loss55–7–3Beau JackUD15Nov 19, 1943Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USLost NYSAC lightweight title
64Win55–6–3Petey ScalzoTKO6, 0:53Oct 25, 1943Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
63Win54–6–3Fritzie ZivicUD10Aug 23, 1943Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
62Win53–6–3Frankie WillsUD10Jul 20, 1943Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., US
61Win52–6–3Al ReasonerKO6, 2:51Jul 4, 1943Pelican Stadium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
60Win51–6–3Beau JackUD15May 21, 1943Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, USWon NYSAC lightweight title
59Win50–6–3Henry VasquezPTS8May 3, 1943Valley Arena, Holyoke, Massachusetts, US
58Win49–6–3Gene JohnsonUD10Apr 30, 1943Watres Armory, Scranton, Pennsylvania, US
57Win48–6–3Roman AlvarezKO4, 1:27Apr 5, 1943Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
56Win47–6–3Lulu CostantinoUD10Feb 22, 1943Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
55Win46–6–3Chester RicoTKO7 Jan 8, 1943Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
54Win45–6–3Maxie ShapiroUD10Dec 1, 1942Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
53Loss44–6–3Maxie ShapiroMD10Oct 6, 1942Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
52Win44–5–3Bobby RuffinUD10Aug 13, 1942Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
51Loss43–5–3Sammy AngottSD12Jul 7, 1942Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
50Win43–4–3Carmen NotchPTS10May 8, 1942Ice House, Toledo, Ohio, US
49Win42–4–3Joey PeraltaUD10Apr 20, 1942Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
48Loss41–4–3Sammy AngottUD12Mar 6, 1942Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
47Win41–3–3Mayon PadloKO8, 1:26Jan 5, 1942Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
46Win40–3–3Jimmy GarrisonTKO4, 3:00Dec 8, 1941Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
45Win39–3–3Frankie WallaceTKO5 Oct 30, 1941Williamsport, Pennsylvania, US
44Win38–3–3Julie KogonUD10Oct 24, 1941Coliseum, Chicago, Illinois, US
43Win37–3–3Davey DayKO1, 2:59Oct 10, 1941Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois, US
42Win36–3–3Mike KaplanUD10Sep 8, 1941Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
41Win35–3–3Slugger WhiteUD10Jul 14, 1941Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
40Win34–3–3Frankie WallaceKO3 Jul 3, 1941Garden Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
39Win33–3–3Wishy JonesTKO4 Jun 30, 1941Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., US
38Win32–3–3Manuel Villa IIKO1, 1:50Jun 16, 1941Coliseum, Baltimore, Maryland, US
37Win31–3–3Lew JenkinsUD10May 16, 1941Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
36Win30–3–3Nick PetersTKO3 Apr 28, 1941Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
35Win29–3–3George ZengarasTKO3, 1:22Mar 3, 1941Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
34Win28–3–3Al NettlowPTS8Feb 7, 1941Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
33Win27–3–3Julie KogonPTS8Jan 28, 1941Broadway Arena, New York City, New York, US
32Loss26–3–3Sammy AngottMD10Nov 25, 1940Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
31Draw26–2–3Norment QuarlesPTS10Nov 7, 1940Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
30Loss26–2–2Lew JenkinsUD10Sep 16, 1940Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
29Win26–1–2Jimmy VaughnKO2 Jul 5, 1940Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
28Win25–1–2Al NettlowUD12Jun 3, 1940Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
27Win24–1–2Al NettlowSD10Mar 11, 1940Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
26Draw23–1–2Al NettlowPTS10Jan 29, 1940Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
25Win23–1–1Mike EvansKO1, 2:19Nov 27, 1939Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
24Loss22–1–1Tommy SpeigalUD10Nov 10, 1939Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USLost USA Pennsylvania State lightweight title
23Win22–0–1Mike EvansUD10Oct 23, 1939Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USWon USA Pennsylvania State lightweight title
22Win21–0–1Charley GilleyTKO6 Oct 5, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
21Win20–0–1Ray IngramPTS10Aug 24, 1939Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
20Win19–0–1Jimmy MurrayTKO3, 1:17Aug 14, 1939Shibe Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
19Win18–0–1Frankie WallacePTS10Jul 3, 1939Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
18Win17–0–1Tommy Rawson Jr.KO1, 2:24Jun 21, 1939Arena Stadium, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
17Win16–0–1Charley BurnsKO2, 2:25Jun 15, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
16Win15–0–1Norment QuarlesTKO4 May 23, 1939Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
15Draw14–0–1George ZengarasPTS10May 1, 1939Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
14Win14–0Eddie GuerraPTS8Apr 20, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
13Win13–0Young RaspiTKO6 Apr 13, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
12Win12–0Benny BermanPTS8Mar 30, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
11Win11–0Frankie SaiaKO4, 2:12Mar 16, 1939Olympia A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
10Win10–0Billy MillerTKO2 Mar 9, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
9Win9–0Jay MacedonPTS8Feb 23, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
8Win8–0Charley BurnsPTS8Feb 2, 1939Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
7Win7–0Harvey JacobsKO1, 1:39Jan 19, 1939North Side Boxing Club, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
6Win6–0Jackie SheppardPTS8Dec 8, 1938Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
5Win5–0Red RossiKO2 Nov 17, 1938Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
4Win4–0Joe BeltranteTKO3, 2:45Nov 10, 1938Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
3Win3–0Eddie StewartTKO2 Nov 4, 1938Cambria A.C., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
2Win2–0Pat PatucciKO2 Oct 27, 1938Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US
1Win1–0Young Johnny BuffKO2 Oct 13, 1938Waltz Dream Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, US