Joey Giardello vs. Juan Carlos Rivero (1st meeting)

Joey Giardello 163 lbs beat Juan Carlos Rivero 169 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1964-04-17
• Location: Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
• Referee: Tony LaBranch 46-45
• Judge: Charley Bill 45-46
• Judge: Bill Thompson 46-45

"Joey Giardello won a hard-fought split decision over unranked Juan (Rocky) Rivero in a 10 round non-title fight here. Rivero wasn't Giardello's dish Friday night. He gave the champion all he could handle. Only one point separated them on each official's card. Giardello slugged toe-to-toe with the ever-pressing Rivero in several rounds, but was at his best flicking left jabs, hooks and counterpunching. There were no knockdowns." -Associated Press

• Unofficial AP scorecard - 45-44 Rivero

Post fight comments

• "I was a little rusty from being off so long. I was on the banquet circuit too long." -Joey Giardello

• "The worst I should have gotten was a draw. I could have gone 20 more rounds." -Rocky Rivero