Emile Griffith vs. Rafael Gutierrez
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Emile Griffith 157 lbs beat Rafael Gutierrez 163 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1971-03-23
- Location: Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, USA
- Referee: Tony Bosnich 7-1
- Judge: Jack Downey 8-2
- Judge: Frankie Carter 6-1
"Top-ranked middleweight contender Emile Griffith took control early with body punches Tuesday night and scored a unanimous 10 round decision over Rafael Gutierrez of Mexico at Civic Auditorium. Griffith, of New York, landed three good blows to Gutierrez' body in the 1st round and also hurt him with several left jabs. The Mexican, who now fights out of Sacramento, Calif., came back in the late rounds but he didn't have enough strength left to hurt Griffith. Griffith staggered Gutierrez in the 3rd round with strong combinations and opened several cuts on his face, but there were no knockdowns." -Associated Press
- Griffith, who weighed 155 1/2, only agreed to this fight that morning after Gutierrez, who came in at 163, signed a contract promising Griffith a rematch if he won, due to Gutierrez being unable to make the contracted 160 pounds.