Baby Vasquez vs. Carmelo Costa

Carmelo Costa 131 lbs beat Baby Vazquez 133 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1956-03-02
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Al Berl 5-4
• Judge: Joe Vaccarella 5-6
• Judge: Jack Gordon 6-3

"Brooklyn's Carmelo (Chubby) Costa today had a narrow victory over Baby Vasquez to his credit. The 21 year old, 2nd ranked featherweight contender, had to come from way behind to squeeze out a controversial split, 10 round decision over the Mexican lightweight king in MSG last night." -Associated Press

• With this victory, Costa was promised a March 30th bout with French featherweight champ Cherif Hamia in MSG. And the Garden delivered.
• Unofficial AP scorecard - 5-5 Even. However, with the NY supplemental system employed if a fight is even, the AP scored it for Vasquez due to his heavier punching in the 2nd and 5th rounds.
• Referee Joe Vaccarelli also scored it 5-5 Even, and had Vasquez ahead 6-5 with the supplemental points.
• A ringside poll of 11 boxing writers had it 8 writers for Vasquez and 3 for Costa.

Post fight comments

• "In my first fight in the Garden (against Frankie Ryff) I was nervous and couldn't get started. Tonight I thought I won by a good margin. I got off good and made the fight all the way. I hit him a couple of good shots too. I'd like a return fight." -Baby Vasquez

• "I won but not by any 6-3 score. It was very close. He was confusing with his awkward style." -Carmelo Costa