"Carmen Basilio overcame a sluggish start to pound out a unanimous 10 round decision over Gaspar Ortega at MSG Saturday night with a two-fisted attack. The 33 year old battler from Canastota, NY, showed little effects of his long layoff as he closed with a rush to have his younger and lighter foe from Mexico hanging on at the final bell. There were no knockdowns although several times the 25 year old Ortega was staggered by solid right hands. Ortega fought back furiously each time he was hurt and on several occasions hurt his older foe with furious counter-punching. Ortega showed no visible damage but Basilio came out of the fight with a slight cut alongside his right eye." -Associated Press

Carmen Basilio vs Gaspar Ortega

"Gaspar Ortega, in a surprising late finish, won a split decision victory over bolo-punching Kid Gavilan in a scheduled 12 round welterweight elimination bout for the vacant title Tuesday night at Wrigley Field. The split decision stunned most of the ringside press who had Gavilan in front by a wide margin. Ortega's win evened the score with Gavilan. The 31 year old Cuban had decisioned Ortega on July 31 in Miami." -United Press

Kid Gavilan vs Gaspar Ortega II

Benny Paret vs Gaspar Ortega I

Gaspar Ortega vs Charley Scott II

Gaspar Ortega vs Charley Scott

"Cuba's undefeated Florentino Fernandez scored an upset unanimous decision over seasoned Gaspar Ortega of Mexico, whom he floored twice in a nationally televised 10 rounder Friday night. Ortega went to his knees for a mandatory eight count in the 1st round and again fell before Fernandez' blows in the 4th round for a nine-count. Ortega's best round was the 6th." -United Press International

Carmen Basilio vs Gaspar Ortega

Kid Gavilan vs Gaspar Ortega II

Benny Paret vs Gaspar Ortega I

Gaspar Ortega vs Charley Scott II

Gaspar Ortega vs Charley Scott

Florentino Fernandez vs Gaspar Ortega

Kid Gavilan vs Gaspar Ortega

On this Day