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Emile Griffith

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Emile Griffith
Griffith in 2010
Born
Emile Alphonse Griffith

February 3, 1938
Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
DiedJuly 23, 2013(2013-07-23) (aged 75)
Hempstead, New York, U.S.
Statistics
Weight classWelterweight
Light middleweight
Middleweight
Height5 ft 6.5 in (169 cm)
Reach72 in (183 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights112
Wins85
Wins by KO23
Losses24
Draws2
No contests1

Emile Alphonse Griffith (February 3, 1938 – July 23, 2013) was an American professional boxer who won world titles in three weight divisions. He held the world light middleweight,[1] undisputed welterweight,[2] and middleweight titles.[3] His best-known contest was a 1962 title match with Benny Paret. Griffith won the bout by knockout; Paret never recovered consciousness and died in the hospital 10 days later.[4]

In 1963 and 1964, Griffith was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2002, he was listed #33 on Ring Magazine's list of 80 greatest fighters of the past 80 years.[5] Griffith currently ranks #127 in BoxRec's ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time.[6] He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.[7]

Career

[edit]

Amateur

[edit]

Griffith was born on February 3, 1938.[8] As a teen he was working at a hat factory on a steamy day when his boss, the factory owner, agreed to Griffith's request to work shirtless. When the owner, a former amateur boxer, noticed his frame, he took Griffith to trainer Gil Clancy's gym.[9]

Griffith won the 1958 New York Golden Gloves 147 lb Open Championship, defeating Osvaldo Marcano of the Police Athletic Leagues Lynch Center in the final. In 1957 Griffith advanced to the finals of the 147-lb Sub-Novice division and was defeated by Charles Wormley of the Salem Crescent Athletic Club. Griffith trained at the West 28th Street Parks Department Gym in New York City.[10]

Professional

[edit]

Griffith turned professional in 1958 and fought frequently in New York City. He captured the Welterweight title from Cuban Benny "The Kid" Paret by knocking him out in the 13th round on April 1, 1961. Six months later, Griffith lost the title to Paret in a narrow split decision. Griffith regained the title from Paret on March 24, 1962, in the controversial bout after which Paret died (see below).

Griffith waged a classic four-fight series with Luis Rodríguez, losing their second fight and winning the other three. He defeated middleweight contender Holley Mims but was knocked out in one round by Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. Three years later, on April 25, 1966, he faced middleweight champion Dick Tiger and won a 15-round unanimous decision and the middleweight title. He also lost, regained and then lost the middleweight crown in three classic fights with Nino Benvenuti.[11]

But many boxing fans[12] believed he was never quite the same fighter after Paret's death. From the Paret bout to his retirement in 1977, Griffith fought 80 bouts but only scored twelve knockouts. He later admitted to being gentler with his opponents and relying on his superior boxing skills because he was terrified of killing someone else in the ring. Many thought that Griffith fought past his prime,[12] only winning nine of his last twenty three fights. Other boxers whom he fought in his career included world champions American Denny Moyer, Cuban Luis Rodríguez, Argentine Carlos Monzón, Cuban José Nápoles, and in his last title try, German Eckhard Dagge. After 18 years as a professional boxer, Griffith retired with a record of 85 wins (25 by knockout), 24 losses and 2 draws.

Benny Paret

[edit]
Main article: Benny Paret vs. Emile Griffith III

Griffith and Paret's third fight, which was nationally televised by ABC, occurred on March 24, 1962, at Madison Square Garden. Griffith had been incensed by an anti-gay slur directed at him by Paret during the weigh-in. Paret touched Griffith's buttocks and whispered into his opponent's ear "maricón, maricón", Spanish slang for "faggot".[9][12] Griffith had worked in a women's hat factory and at the time designed hats.[13] Griffith had to be restrained from attacking Paret on the spot. The media at the time either ignored the slur or used euphemisms such as "anti-man". Griffith's girlfriend asked him about the incident, saying, "I didn't know about you being that way."

In the sixth round Paret came close to stopping Griffith with a multi-punch combination, but Griffith was saved by the bell.[14] After the sixth round Griffith's trainer, Gil Clancy, later said he told him, "When you go inside I want you to keep punching until Paret holds you or the referee breaks you! But you keep punching until he does that!".[9]

Griffith told a television interviewer: "I'm very proud to be the welterweight champion again. I hope Paret is feeling very good." When the seriousness of the situation become known, Griffith went to the hospital where Paret was being treated and unsuccessfully attempted for several hours to gain entry to Paret's room. Following that, he ran through the streets while being insulted by passersby. He would later receive hate mail from Paret supporters who were convinced Griffith intentionally killed Paret.[9]

New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller created a seven-man commission to investigate the incident and the sport.[9] Griffith reportedly felt guilt over Paret's death and suffered nightmares about Paret for 40 years.[9]

The fight, and the widespread publicity and criticism of boxing which accompanied it, became the basis of the 2005 documentary Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story.[15]

Trainer

[edit]

Griffith trained other boxers, including Wilfred Benítez and Juan Laporte of Puerto Rico. Both won world championships. Griffith, Monzon, Benvenuti, Rodriguez, Tiger, Nápoles and Benítez are members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1979–80, he was in Denmark serving as the coach of the Danish Olympic boxing team.[16]

Personal life

[edit]
Luis Rodrigo Griffith, Emile's adopted son and caretaker, at the after party of the world premiere of Terence Blanchard's opera Champion on June 15, 2013.

In 1971, two months after they met, Griffith married another Virgin Islander Mercedes "Sadie" Donastorg, who was then a member of the dance troupe "Prince Rupert and the Slave Girls".[17] Griffith adopted Donastorg's daughter, but the marriage only lasted a few months.[12] After retiring from boxing, Griffith worked as a corrections officer at the Secaucus, New Jersey Juvenile Detention Facility.[9]

In 1992, Griffith was viciously beaten and almost killed on a New York City street after leaving a gay bar near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. He was in the hospital for four months after the assault. It was not clear if the violence was motivated by homophobia.[12]

Griffith was bisexual. He was quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying "I like men and women both. But I don't like that word: homosexual, gay or faggot. I don't know what I am. I love men and women the same, but if you ask me which is better ... I like women."[9]

Death

[edit]

A long-time resident of Weehawken, New Jersey,[18] Griffith died July 23, 2013, at a care facility in Hempstead, New York. In his final years, he suffered from dementia pugilistica and required full-time care. His adopted son,[12] Luis Rodrigo Griffith, was his primary caregiver.[19] He was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery, Queens, New York City.[20]

Media representations

[edit]
  • In January 2005, filmmakers Dan Klores and Ron Berger premiered their documentary Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. It was broadcast on television on USA Network.[21]
  • Griffith's December 20, 1963 bout with Rubin Carter (which Griffith lost) is depicted in the opening scene of the 1999 motion picture The Hurricane. Griffith is portrayed by former boxer Terry Claybon, while actor Denzel Washington stars as Carter.[22]
  • In May 2012 it was announced that trumpeter Terence Blanchard and playwright Michael Cristofer were working on the opera Champion, based on Griffith's story. It premiered at Opera Theatre of St. Louis on June 15, 2013.[23]
  • Irish director Lenny Abrahamson is working on a biopic focusing on Griffith's rivalry with Paret, originally intended to be released in 2019 but subsequently delayed.[24][25]
  • A stage play based on Griffith's story, titled Brown Girl in the Ring, premiered on September 26, 2016, in Chicago. It was commissioned and produced by the Court Theatre.[citation needed]
  • A stage play based on Griffith's story, titled Man in the Ring, premiered on November 16, 2018, at the Huntington Theater in Boston.[26]

Professional boxing record

[edit]
112 fights 85 wins 24 losses
By knockout 23 2
By decision 62 21
By disqualification 0 1
Draws 2
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
112 Loss 85–24–2 (1) Alan Minter PTS 10 Jul 30, 1977 Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
111 Loss 85–23–2 (1) Mayfield Pennington SD 10 Jul 16, 1977 Commonwealth Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
110 Loss 85–22–2 (1) Joel Bonnetaz PTS 10 Apr 15, 1977 Périgueux, Dordogne, France
109 Win 85–21–2 (1) Christy Elliott MD 10 Feb 2, 1977 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
108 Win 84–21–2 (1) Frank Reiche TKO 10 (10) Dec 4, 1976 Ernst Merck Halle, Hamburg, West Germany
107 Win 83–21–2 (1) Dino Del Cid TKO 4 (10) Oct 24, 1976 Cartagena, Colombia
106 Loss 82–21–2 (1) Eckhard Dagge MD 15 Sep 18, 1976 Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, Berlin, West Germany For WBC light-middleweight title
105 Draw 82–20–2 (1) Bennie Briscoe PTS 10 Jun 26, 1976 Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
104 Loss 82–20–1 (1) Loucif Hamani UD 10 Feb 9, 1976 Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France
103 Win 82–19–1 (1) Jose Roberto Chirino UD 10 Nov 7, 1975 Coliseum Theatre, Latham, New York, U.S.
102 Loss 81–19–1 (1) Elijah Makathini PTS 10 Aug 9, 1975 Orlando Stadium, Soweto, Transvaal, South Africa
101 Win 81–18–1 (1) Leo Saenz UD 10 Jul 23, 1975 Capitol Centre, Largo, Maryland, U.S.
100 Loss 80–18–1 (1) Jose Luis Duran UD 10 May 31, 1974 Coliseo El Pueblo, Cali, Colombia
99 Win 80–17–1 (1) Donato Paduano UD 10 Dec 10, 1974 Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
98 Loss 79–17–1 (1) Vito Antuofermo UD 10 Nov 22, 1974 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
97 Win 79–16–1 (1) Bennie Briscoe MD 10 Oct 9, 1974 The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
96 Win 78–16–1 (1) Renato Garcia PTS 10 May 25, 1974 Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
95 Loss 77–16–1 (1) Tony Licata UD 12 Feb 5, 1974 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. For WBC–NABF middleweight title
94 Loss 77–15–1 (1) Tony Mundine UD 12 Nov 19, 1973 Palais des Sports Porte de Versailles, Paris XV, Paris, France
93 Win 77–14–1 (1) Manuel González MD 10 Nov 1, 1973 Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
92 Loss 76–14–1 (1) Carlos Monzón UD 15 Jun 2, 1973 Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco For WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
91 Draw 76–13–1 (1) Nessim Max Cohen PTS 10 Mar 12, 1973 Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France
90 Loss 76–13 (1) Jean-Claude Bouttier DQ 7 (10) Dec 18, 1972 Parc des Expositions, Paris, Paris, France Griffith was disqualified for a low blow
89 Win 76–12 (1) Joe DeNucci SD 12 Oct 11, 1972 Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
88 Win 75–12 (1) Joe DeNucci SD 10 Sep 16, 1972 Hynes Auditorium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
87 Win 74–12 (1) Ernie Lopez UD 10 Mar 30, 1972 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
86 Win 73–12 (1) Jacques Kechichian PTS 10 Feb 21, 1972 Paris, Paris, France
85 Win 72–12 (1) Armando Muñíz UD 10 Jan 31, 1972 Convention Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
84 Win 71–12 (1) Danny McAloon UD 10 Dec 10, 1971 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
83 Loss 70–12 (1) Carlos Monzón TKO 14 (15), 2:32 Sep 25, 1971 Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina For WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
82 Win 70–11 (1) Nessim Max Cohen UD 10 Jul 26, 1971 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
81 Win 69–11 (1) Ernie Lopez MD 10 May 3, 1971 Nevada Sports Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
80 Win 68–11 (1) Rafael Gutierrez UD 10 Mar 23, 1971 Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
79 Win 67–11 (1) Juan Ramos TKO 7 (10) Mar 5, 1971 Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
78 Win 66–11 (1) Nate Collins UD 10 Nov 10, 1970 Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
77 Win 65–11 (1) Danny Perez UD 12 Oct 17, 1970 Lionel Roberts Stadium, Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
76 Win 64–11 (1) Dick Tiger UD 10 Jul 15, 1970 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
75 Win 63–11 (1) Tom Bogs PTS 10 Jun 4, 1970 Valby Idraetspark, Valby, Denmark
74 Win 62–11 (1) Carlos Marks UD 12 Mar 11, 1970 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
73 Win 61–11 (1) Doyle Baird UD 10 Jan 28, 1970 Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
72 Loss 60–11 (1) José Nápoles UD 15 Oct 17, 1969 Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S. For WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
71 Win 60–10 (1) Art Hernandez SD 10 Aug 15, 1969 Sioux Falls Arena, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
70 Win 59–10 (1) Dick DiVeronica TKO 7 (10), 1:28 Jul 11, 1969 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
69 Win 58–10 (1) Stanley Hayward UD 12 May 12, 1969 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
68 Win 57–10 (1) Andy Heilman UD 10 Feb 3, 1969 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
67 Loss 56–10 (1) Stanley Hayward SD 10 Oct 29, 1968 The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
66 Win 56–9 (1) Gypsy Joe Harris UD 12 Aug 6, 1968 The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
65 Win 55–9 (1) Andy Heilman MD 12 Jun 11, 1968 Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
64 Loss 54–9 (1) Nino Benvenuti UD 15 Mar 4, 1968 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
63 Win 54–8 (1) Remo Golfarini TKO 6 (10) Dec 15, 1967 Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma, Lazio, Italy
62 Win 53–8 (1) Nino Benvenuti MD 15 Sep 29, 1967 Shea Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
61 Loss 52–8 (1) Nino Benvenuti UD 15 Apr 17, 1967 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
60 Win 52–7 (1) Joey Archer UD 15 Jan 23, 1967 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
59 Win 51–7 (1) Joey Archer MD 15 Jul 13, 1966 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
58 Win 50–7 (1) Dick Tiger UD 15 Apr 25, 1966 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
57 Win 49–7 (1) Johnny Brooks UD 10 Feb 3, 1966 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
56 Win 48–7 (1) Manuel González UD 15 Dec 10, 1965 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
55 Win 47–7 (1) Harry Scott RTD 7 (10) Oct 4, 1965 Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
54 Win 46–7 (1) Gabe Terronez TKO 4 (10), 2:45 Sep 14, 1965 Kearney Bowl, Fresno, California, U.S.
53 Loss 45–7 (1) Don Fullmer UD 12 Aug 19, 1965 Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. For vacant WBA American middleweight title
52 Win 45–6 (1) Eddie Pace UD 10 Jun 14, 1965 Hawaii International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
51 Win 44–6 (1) Jose Stable UD 15 Mar 30, 1965 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
50 Loss 43–6 (1) Manuel González SD 10 Jan 26, 1965 Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
49 Win 43–5 (1) Dave Charnley TKO 9 (10), 1:56 Dec 1, 1965 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
48 Win 42–5 (1) Brian Curvis UD 15 Sep 22, 1964 Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K. Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
47 Win 41–5 (1) Luis Manuel Rodríguez SD 15 Jun 12, 1964 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
46 Win 40–5 (1) Stan Harrington KO 4 (10), 1:40 Apr 14, 1964 Hawaii International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
45 NC 39–5 (1) Juan Carlo Duran NC 7 (10) Mar 11, 1964 Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma, Lazio, Italy The bout was halted when fans began throwing
bottles and oranges in to the ring,
because they wanted more action
44 Win 39–5 Ralph Dupas KO 3 (12) Feb 10, 1964 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
43 Loss 38–5 Rubin Carter TKO 1 (10), 2:13 Dec 20, 1963 Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
42 Win 38–4 Jose Monon Gonzalez MD 10 Oct 5, 1963 Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
41 Win 37–4 Holly Mims UD 10 Aug 10, 1963 Convention Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
40 Win 36–4 Luis Manuel Rodríguez SD 15 Jun 8, 1963 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
39 Loss 35–4 Luis Manuel Rodríguez UD 15 Mar 21, 1963 Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
38 Win 35–3 Christian Christensen TKO 9 (15) Feb 3, 1963 Forum, Copenhagen, Denmark Retained world light-middleweight title;
Recognized by the Austrian Boxing Board of Control
37 Win 34–3 Jorge Fernandez TKO 9 (15) Dec 8, 1962 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained NYSAC, WBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
36 Win 33–3 Ted Wright PTS 15 Oct 17, 1962 Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria Won inaugural world light-middleweight title;
Recognized by the Austrian Boxing Board of Control, but by no other agencies
35 Win 32–3 Don Fullmer UD 10 Oct 6, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
34 Win 31–3 Denny Moyer SD 10 Aug 18, 1962 Sports Arena, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
33 Win 30–3 Ralph Dupas UD 15 Jul 13, 1962 Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
32 Win 29–3 Benny Paret TKO 12 (15), 2:09 Mar 24, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles;
Paret died on Apr 3, 1962, from injuries sustained in the fight[27]
31 Win 28–3 Johnny Torres UD 10 Feb 3, 1962 Lionel Roberts Stadium, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
30 Win 27–3 Isaac Logart MD 10 Dec 23, 1961 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
29 Win 26–3 Stanford Bulla KO 4 (10), 2:35 Nov 4, 1961 Hamilton, Bermuda
28 Loss 25–3 Benny Paret SD 15 Sep 30, 1961 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S. Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
27 Win 25–2 Yama Bahama UD 10 Jul 29, 1961 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
26 Win 24–2 Gaspar Ortega TKO 12 (15), 0:48 Jun 3, 1961 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S. Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
25 Win 23–2 Benny Paret KO 13 (15), 1:11 Apr 1, 1961 Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
24 Win 22–2 Luis Manuel Rodríguez SD 10 Dec 17, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
23 Win 21–2 Willie Toweel TKO 8 (10), 3:00 Oct 22, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
22 Win 20–2 Florentino Fernández UD 10 Aug 25, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
21 Win 19–2 Jorge Fernandez UD 10 Jul 25, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
20 Win 18–2 Jorge Fernandez SD 10 Jun 3, 1960 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
19 Loss 17–2 Denny Moyer SD 10 Apr 26, 1960 Pacific Livestock Pavilion, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
18 Win 17–1 Denny Moyer SD 10 Mar 11, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
17 Win 16–1 Gaspar Ortega SD 10 Feb 12, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
16 Win 15–1 Roberto Peña UD 10 Jan 8, 1960 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
15 Win 14–1 Ray Lancaster TKO 7 (10), 1:44 Nov 23, 1959 Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S.
14 Loss 13–1 Randy Sandy SD 10 Oct 26, 1959 Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Kid Fichique UD 10 Aug 7, 1959 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Willie Stevenson UD 10 May 25, 1959 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Mel Barker UD 10 Apr 27, 1959 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Bobby Shell UD 10 Mar 23, 1959 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Barry Allison TKO 5 (10), 2:44 Feb 23, 1959 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Willie Joe Johnson TKO 5 (6), 1:52 Feb 9, 1959 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Gaylord Barnes TKO 5 (6), 1:46 Jan 26, 1959 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Larry Jones KO 5 (6), 2:17 Dec 15, 1958 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Sergio Rios KO 3 (6), 1:01 Nov 17, 1958 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Artie Cunningham PTS 6 Oct 6, 1958 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Tommy Leaks PTS 4 Jul 21, 1958 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Bruce Gibson PTS 4 Jun 23, 1958 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Joe Parham PTS 4 Jun 2, 1958 St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.

Honors

[edit]

Recording artist

[edit]

Emile Griffiths had a brief career as a recording artist between 1966 and 1969. He recorded two 45s released on the Columbia Records and 'Going, Going Gone' , a moderately successful record for Ray Charles' Tangerine label.[28]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "The Lineal Junior Middleweight Champions". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. ^ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  3. ^ "The Lineal Middleweight Champions". Cyber Boxing Zone.
  4. ^ "The night boxer Emile Griffith answered gay taunts with a deadly cortege of punches", theguardian.com; accessed January 30, 2016.
  5. ^ "Are These Really the 80 Best Boxers Ever?". ThoughtCo. Retrieved December 19, 2017.
  6. ^ "BoxRec: Ratings". boxrec.com.
  7. ^ "Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees".
  8. ^ "Photos of Emile Griffith". Find a Grave. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
  9. ^ a b c d e f g h Smith, Gary "The Shadow Boxer", Sports Illustrated, April 18, 2005.
  10. ^ "A champion's champion Secaucus resident part of boxing legendary partnership; inducted into NJ Boxing Hall of Fame - Hudson Reporter Archive". hudsonreporter.com. October 13, 2004. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  11. ^ Morilla, Diego (April 18, 2023). "On this day: Nino Benvenuti defeats Emile Griffith in first chapter of a legendary trilogy". The Ring. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Klores, Dan (March 31, 2012). "Emile Griffith, Benny Paret and the Fatal Fight". The New York Times. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  13. ^ I've Got a Secret episode (April 12, 1961) in which Irene and Lorraine Berlin displayed hats designed by Griffith, youtube.com; accessed January 30, 2016.
  14. ^ The Great Rivalries Archived August 26, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, CBSSports.com; accessed January 30, 2016.
  15. ^ "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story - Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  16. ^ "Emile Griffith dies at 75; champion boxer struggled with his sexuality". Los Angeles Times. July 24, 2013. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  17. ^ Griffith with wife Mercedes & best man Joe Frazier JET, May 27, 1971 pg 39
  18. ^ "The passing of a champion; Boxing Great Griffith, Who Called Hudson County Home For Years, Dies At 75", The Hudson Reporter, July 28, 2013. Accessed September 18, 2020. "During his boxing heyday, when he won both the world welterweight and middleweight championships, Emile Griffith was proud to call Hudson County home. For almost 30 years, Griffith lived on Boulevard East in Weehawken."
  19. ^ "Former boxing champion Emile Griffith dies at 75". Fox News. Retrieved July 23, 2013.
  20. ^ "NYC cemetery, junkyard stand 'their' ground in property fight: suit". October 9, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  21. ^ Harvey, Dennis (February 2, 2005). "Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story". Variety. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  22. ^ Nathan, Daniel A. (2000). Jewison, Norman (ed.). "The Story of the Hurricane". Journal of Sport History. 27 (2): 299–303. ISSN 0094-1700. JSTOR 43609568.
  23. ^ Schweitzer, Vivien (June 21, 2013). "Homophobia in the Ring Delivers Fatal Blows". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  24. ^ Lynch, Ryan (January 3, 2018). "Bisexual Boxer from 1960s to be Subject of Feature Film". South Florida Gay News.
  25. ^ Regan, Jarlath (March 5, 2016). "Lenny Abrahamson". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast) (129 ed.). SoundCloud. Retrieved March 7, 2016.
  26. ^ "Huntington Schedule 2018-2019". Huntington Theater. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
  27. ^ "Benny (Kid) Paret – BoxRec".
  28. ^ Charles, Ray; Ritz, David (2002). Ray Charles' Own Story. Da Capo. ISBN 9780306814310.

Further reading

[edit]
[edit]
Sporting positions
World boxing titles
Preceded by NYSAC welterweight champion
April 1, 1961 – September 30, 1961 		Succeeded by
Benny Paret
NBA welterweight champion
April 1, 1961 – September 30, 1961
The Ring welterweight champion
April 1, 1961 – September 30, 1961
Undisputed welterweight champion
April 1, 1961 – September 30, 1961
NYSAC welterweight champion
March 24, 1962 – March 21, 1963 		Succeeded by
WBA welterweight champion
March 24, 1962 – March 21, 1963
Became WBA in 1962
The Ring welterweight champion
March 24, 1962 – March 21, 1963
Undisputed welterweight champion
March 24, 1962 – March 21, 1963
Inaugural WBC welterweight champion
February 1963 – March 21, 1963
Preceded by
Luis Manuel Rodríguez
 NYSAC welterweight champion
June 8, 1963 – 1966
Stripped 		Vacant
Title next held by
Curtis Cokes
WBA welterweight champion
June 8, 1963 – June 10, 1966
Stripped
WBC welterweight champion
June 8, 1963 – August 1, 1966
Stripped
The Ring welterweight champion
June 8, 1963 – 1966
Vacated
Undisputed welterweight champion
June 8, 1963 – June 10, 1966
Titles fragmented
Inaugural World light-middleweight champion
October 17, 1962 – February 1963
Vacated 		Vacant
Title next held by
Denny Moyer
Preceded by WBA middleweight champion
April 25, 1966 – April 16, 1967 		Succeeded by
WBC middleweight champion
April 25, 1966 – April 16, 1967
The Ring middleweight champion
April 25, 1966 – April 16, 1967
Undisputed middleweight champion
April 25, 1966 – April 16, 1967
Preceded by
Nino Benvenuti
 WBA middleweight champion
September 29, 1967 – March 4, 1968
WBC middleweight champion
September 29, 1967 – March 4, 1968
The Ring middleweight champion
September 29, 1967 – March 4, 1968
Undisputed middleweight champion
September 29, 1967 – March 4, 1968
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