Gaspar Ortega vs. Hardy Smallwood (1st meeting)

Hardy Smallwood 157 lbs beat Gaspar Ortega 153 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1956-04-02
• Location: St. Nicholas Arena, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: George Walsh 6-3
• Judge: Artie Aidala 5-4
• Judge: Arthur Schwartz 5-4

"Hardy (Bazooka) Smallwood has an unbeaten string of five today following his victory over Mexico's Gaspar Ortega. The 23-year-old ex-GI from Brooklyn proved too strong for the 20-year-old Mexican in winning the decision after 10 rounds of slam-bang action at St. Nicholas Arena last night. Smallwood outweighed his rival, 157 to 152 1/2, and the difference showed in power. Bazooka dropped Ortega for a nine-count in the 4th round and piled up a big lead in the first half of the fight. Ortega rallied in the last half but couldn't overcome Bazooka's margin. Both fighters were well battered as a result of the constant give-and-take action. If either knew anything about defense, it wasn't shown last night." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP scorecard - 6-4 Smallwood
• This was the 98th and final St. Nicholas Arena televised show for Matchmaker Tex Sullivan, whose license was revoked by the NYSAC. Teddy Brenner took over as Promoter and Matchmaker for St. Nick's the following Monday.