Emile Griffith vs. Gaspar Ortega
Emile Griffith vs. Gaspar Ortega
The 1960-02-12 fight between Griffith and Ortega is listed here as a split decision, but it was actually a unanimous decision. I just watched the fight, and the score of referee Harry Ebbets was 8-1-1 for Griffith, not for Ortega. The other two scores you have listed are correct.
Re: Emile Griffith vs. Gaspar Ortega
yes and no.
Here's the story from the following day newspaper
Griffith Mad at Way Ref Saw Fight With Ortega
NEW YORK, Feb. 13-
Welterweight Emile Griffith, pride of New York's millinery industry, was a '"mad hatter" today because of the strange vote that limited him to a split decision over Mexican Caspar Ortega in their TV fight.
Referee Harry Ebbets was the target of Emile's wrath. Ebbets favored Ortega last night on a rounds basis, 8-1-1, although most observers, including, the two judges, believed lanky Caspar had suffered a thorough trouncing.
"Ebbets must'a been over at Ebbets Field (former home of the Dodgers) instead of at Madison Square Garden," declared Emile, the classy young shipping clerk who verged on the sensational in
his first Garden main event.
Judge Bill Recht favored Griffith, 8-1-1, exactly the opposite of Ebbets' vote for Ortega. Judge Artie Aidala had Griffith ahead, 7-3. The United Press International scored 8-2 for young Emile.
Ironically, Ebbets' vote was first announced as favoring Griffith; but the referee went immediately to announcer Johnny Addie and told him he had favored Ortega.
When the changed vote was announced, the 2,500 fans hooted in surprise. Coincidentally, Ebbets — a f o r m e r light- heavyweight fighter—had been referee in the same Garden ring on Jan. 8, when Ortega won a very unpopular decision over Stan Harrington of Hawaii.
Here's the story from the following day newspaper
Griffith Mad at Way Ref Saw Fight With Ortega
NEW YORK, Feb. 13-
Welterweight Emile Griffith, pride of New York's millinery industry, was a '"mad hatter" today because of the strange vote that limited him to a split decision over Mexican Caspar Ortega in their TV fight.
Referee Harry Ebbets was the target of Emile's wrath. Ebbets favored Ortega last night on a rounds basis, 8-1-1, although most observers, including, the two judges, believed lanky Caspar had suffered a thorough trouncing.
"Ebbets must'a been over at Ebbets Field (former home of the Dodgers) instead of at Madison Square Garden," declared Emile, the classy young shipping clerk who verged on the sensational in
his first Garden main event.
Judge Bill Recht favored Griffith, 8-1-1, exactly the opposite of Ebbets' vote for Ortega. Judge Artie Aidala had Griffith ahead, 7-3. The United Press International scored 8-2 for young Emile.
Ironically, Ebbets' vote was first announced as favoring Griffith; but the referee went immediately to announcer Johnny Addie and told him he had favored Ortega.
When the changed vote was announced, the 2,500 fans hooted in surprise. Coincidentally, Ebbets — a f o r m e r light- heavyweight fighter—had been referee in the same Garden ring on Jan. 8, when Ortega won a very unpopular decision over Stan Harrington of Hawaii.
Re: Emile Griffith vs. Gaspar Ortega
Hmm. Interesting. Well, thanks for clearing that up.