Emile Griffith vs Nino Benvenuti III

On March 4, 1968, Nino Benvenuti reclaimed the World Middleweight crown from Emile Griffith in their decisive third meeting, christening the new Madison Square Garden with a compelling unanimous decision victory. The contest generated a record-breaking indoor gate of $683,503, surpassing the previous mark set by Patterson-Johansson III in Miami.

Benvenuti, who entered at 160 pounds to Griffith's 155, established control early with superior hand speed and footwork. The defining moment came in round nine when the Italian challenger floored Griffith with a devastating right hand. Though Griffith recovered quickly, the knockdown proved crucial on the scorecards.

The champion mounted a fierce comeback in the championship rounds, particularly in the final frame, where he had Benvenuti reeling from a right hand. However, time expired before Griffith could capitalize. The judges' cards reflected the bout's competitive nature: Forbes and LoBianco scored 8-6, while Berl's 7-7-1 card (9-8 with the knockdown point) favoured Benvenuti.

Despite earning the larger purse of $175,000 to Benvenuti's $80,000, Griffith disputed the verdict, claiming his late surge warranted victory. His trainer, Gil Clancy, typically quick to protest unfavourable decisions, accepted the outcome, only lamenting his fighter's slow start.

Talk of a fourth meeting surfaced following Griffith's revenge victory over Stan Hayward, with Benvenuti present in the winner's dressing room. However, Garden matchmaker Teddy Brenner's concerns about Griffith's diminishing form ultimately shelved the prospect of another chapter in their rivalry.