Tony DeMarco vs. Gaspar Ortega (1st meeting)
Tony DeMarco 145 lbs lost to Gaspar Ortega 147 lbs by SD in round 10 of 10
- Date: 1956-11-23
- Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
- Referee: Al Berl 3-6
- Judge: Frank Forbes 6-4
- Judge: Jack Gordon 4-5
"Unranked Gaspar Ortega, a lanky 21 year old Indian from Mexicali was a 5-1 underdog when he entered the Garden ring last night, but he registered a shocking upset by winning a split decision over Tony DeMarco, the ex-welterweight champion from Boston. Ortega not only out-boxed DeMarco at long range but he actually out-fought the more explosive DeMarco at close quarters to win the votes. DeMarco suffered a cut on his left brow and a nick on his right brow. Neither required stitching and will not prevent his meeting Ortega next month. Similarly a cut in the hair above Ortega's forehead was insignificant. DeMarco's best round was the 4th, in which he had Gaspar so groggy the referee considered stopping the fight. A terrific right to the chin in an exchange stunned the Mexican, and then DeMarco barraged him against the ropes. But rugged Gaspar soon shook off the cobwebs. And he went on to his fourth straight victory." -United Press
Unofficial scorecards
- UP - 6-3-1 Ortega
- AP - 5-4-1 Ortega
- A ringside poll of 15 sportswriters showed 9 favoring DeMarco, 5 for Ortega and 1 scoring it a draw.
Post fight comment
- "It was a close fight and it could have gone to me. But I was upset by my own performance. I just didn't have it. It was one of those nights. I'm a better fighter than that and I'd like to get him into the ring again to prove it." -Tony DeMarco