Emile Griffith vs. Manuel Gonzalez (1st meeting)

Emile Griffith 149 lbs lost to Manuel Gonzalez 150 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1965-01-26
• Location: Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, USA
• Referee: Jimmy Webb 94-97
• Judge: Earl Keel 95-96
• Judge: Maxie Ross 97-94

"Manuel Gonzalez, 150 1/2, an underdog from Odessa, Texas, used an effective left jab to fashion a thin 10 round split decision over welterweight champion Emile Griffith, 149, of New York Tuesday night in a non-title over-the-weight bout. Gonzalez, ranked third among the welterweights, weathered a furious stretch drive by Griffith and earned the verdict which could have gone either way. Griffith's downfall apparently was a result of a cautious start during which Gonzalez scored with left jabs." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP scorecard - 97-96 Griffith

Post fight comments

• "He never hurt me, although I did feel some of those body punches." -Manuel Gonzalez

• "It was no contest as far as I was concerned." -Gil Clancy, Griffith's trainer, disputing the decision