Gene Fullmer vs. Neal Rivers

Gene Fullmer 159 lbs beat Neal Rivers 157 lbs by MD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1957-11-15
• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Mark Conn 6-4
• Judge: Artie Aidala 6-3
• Judge: Bill Recht 4-4

"Former champion Gene Fullmer, 159 1/2, yelled today for a February return shot at the middleweight crown after his majority decision over dangerous Neal Rivers. Fullmer protected his status as possible challenger Friday night by giving the California state champion a thorough body beating in the late sessions of their exciting TV-Radio 10-rounder at MSG. Rivers, 157, was the harder puncher and did the most damage but he faded at the finish. Fullmer landed the most punches during the bout. He forced the action in the first five rounds and in the last two." -United Press

• Unofficial UP scorecard - 6-3-1 Fullmer
• Unofficial AP scorecard - 5-4-1 Fullmer
• Unofficial poll of 16 sports writers had 11 scoring for Fullmer, 4 for Rivers and 1 scoring it a draw.
• Judge Bill Recht scored the bout 4-4-2 in rounds and 6-6 in points.
• Both fighters were to be sidelined due to injuries. Fullmer suffered a 4-stitch cut on top of his head, an 8-stitch gash on his right brow and nicks on his left brow and nose. Rivers suffered a 6-stitch slice on his left brow and a nick on his lower lip.
• Fullmer's manager Marv Jenson was lobbying for a return match with Sugar Ray Robinson for the title due to a letter written by IBC President Jim Norris before their 2nd contest. It stated that in the event Robinson beats Fullmer, then the winner of the Robinson-Basilio contest will meet Fullmer in a middleweight title contest. However, Robinson-Basilio tied up the title between their two contests and Robinson eventually lost to Paul Pender.
• Attendance - 2,500
• Gate - $11,000

Post-fight comment

• "This was tougher than fighting for the championship. The pressure was just as great but not the reward. I had everything to lose and Rivers had everything to gain." -Gene Fullmer