Emile Griffith Explained

Emile Griffith
Realname:Emile Alphonse Griffith
Weight Class:Welterweight
Light middleweight
Middleweight
Height:5 ft 6.5 in
Reach:72 in
Birth Date:February 3, 1938
Birth Place:Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
Death Place:Hempstead, New York, U.S.
Style:Orthodox
Total:112
Wins:85
Ko:23
Losses:24
Draws:2
No Contests:1

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

Amateur

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.

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.[9]

Professional

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.[10]

But many boxing fans 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, 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

See 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".[11] Griffith had worked in a women's hat factory and at the time designed hats.[12] 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.[13] 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!".[11]

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.[11]

New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller created a seven-man commission to investigate the incident and the sport.[11] Griffith reportedly felt guilt over Paret's death and suffered nightmares about Paret for 40 years.[11]

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.[14]

Trainer

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.[15]

Personal life

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".[16] Griffith adopted Donastorg's daughter, but the marriage only lasted a few months. After retiring from boxing, Griffith worked as a corrections officer at the Secaucus, New Jersey Juvenile Detention Facility.[11]

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.[17]

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."[11]

Death

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, Luis Rodrigo Griffith, was his primary caregiver.[19] He was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery, Queens, New York City.[20]

Media representations

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
112Loss85–24–2 Alan MinterPTS10Jul 30, 1977
111Loss85–23–2 Mayfield PenningtonSD10Jul 16, 1977
110Loss85–22–2 Joel BonnetazPTS10Apr 15, 1977
109Win85–21–2 Christy ElliottMD10Feb 2, 1977
108Win84–21–2 Frank ReicheTKO10 (10)Dec 4, 1976
107Win83–21–2 Dino Del CidTKO4 (10)Oct 24, 1976
106Loss82–21–2 Eckhard DaggeMD15Sep 18, 1976
105Draw82–20–2 Bennie BriscoePTS10Jun 26, 1976
104Loss82–20–1 Loucif HamaniUD10Feb 9, 1976
103Win82–19–1 Jose Roberto ChirinoUD10Nov 7, 1975
102Loss81–19–1 Elijah MakathiniPTS10Aug 9, 1975
101Win81–18–1 Leo SaenzUD10Jul 23, 1975
100Loss80–18–1 Jose Luis DuranUD10May 31, 1974
99Win80–17–1 Donato PaduanoUD10Dec 10, 1974
98Loss79–17–1 Vito AntuofermoUD10Nov 22, 1974
97Win79–16–1 Bennie BriscoeMD10Oct 9, 1974
96Win78–16–1 Renato GarciaPTS10May 25, 1974
95Loss77–16–1 Tony LicataUD12Feb 5, 1974
94Loss77–15–1 Tony MundineUD12Nov 19, 1973
93Win77–14–1 Manuel GonzálezMD10Nov 1, 1973
92Loss76–14–1 Carlos MonzónUD15Jun 2, 1973
91Draw76–13–1 Nessim Max CohenPTS10Mar 12, 1973
90Loss76–13 Jean-Claude BouttierDQ7 (10)Dec 18, 1972
89Win76–12 Joe DeNucciSD12Oct 11, 1972
88Win75–12 Joe DeNucciSD10Sep 16, 1972
87Win74–12 Ernie LopezUD10Mar 30, 1972
86Win73–12 Jacques KechichianPTS10Feb 21, 1972
85Win72–12 Armando MuñízUD10Jan 31, 1972
84Win71–12 Danny McAloonUD10Dec 10, 1971
83Loss70–12 Carlos MonzónTKO14 (15), 2:32Sep 25, 1971
82Win70–11 Nessim Max CohenUD10Jul 26, 1971
81Win69–11 Ernie LopezMD10May 3, 1971
80Win68–11 Rafael GutierrezUD10Mar 23, 1971
79Win67–11 Juan RamosTKO7 (10)Mar 5, 1971
78Win66–11 Nate CollinsUD10Nov 10, 1970
77Win65–11 Danny PerezUD12Oct 17, 1970
76Win64–11 Dick TigerUD10Jul 15, 1970
75Win63–11 Tom BogsPTS10Jun 4, 1970
74Win62–11 Carlos MarksUD12Mar 11, 1970
73Win61–11 Doyle BairdUD10Jan 28, 1970
72Loss60–11 José NápolesUD15Oct 17, 1969
71Win60–10 Art HernandezSD10Aug 15, 1969
70Win59–10 Dick DiVeronicaTKO7 (10), 1:28Jul 11, 1969
69Win58–10 Stanley HaywardUD12May 12, 1969
68Win57–10 Andy HeilmanUD10Feb 3, 1969
67Loss56–10 Stanley HaywardSD10Oct 29, 1968
66Win56–9 Gypsy Joe HarrisUD12Aug 6, 1968
65Win55–9 Andy HeilmanMD12Jun 11, 1968
64Loss54–9 Nino BenvenutiUD15Mar 4, 1968
63Win54–8 Remo GolfariniTKO6 (10)Dec 15, 1967
62Win53–8 Nino BenvenutiMD15Sep 29, 1967
61Loss52–8 Nino BenvenutiUD15Apr 17, 1967
60Win52–7 Joey ArcherUD15Jan 23, 1967
59Win51–7 Joey ArcherMD15Jul 13, 1966
58Win50–7 Dick TigerUD15Apr 25, 1966
57Win49–7 Johnny BrooksUD10Feb 3, 1966
56Win48–7 Manuel GonzálezUD15Dec 10, 1965
55Win47–7 Harry ScottRTD7 (10)Oct 4, 1965
54Win46–7 Gabe TerronezTKO4 (10), 2:45Sep 14, 1965
53Loss45–7 Don FullmerUD12Aug 19, 1965
52Win45–6 Eddie PaceUD10Jun 14, 1965
51Win44–6 Jose StableUD15Mar 30, 1965
50Loss43–6 Manuel GonzálezSD10Jan 26, 1965
49Win43–5 Dave CharnleyTKO9 (10), 1:56Dec 1, 1965
48Win42–5 Brian CurvisUD15Sep 22, 1964
47Win41–5 Luis Manuel RodríguezSD15Jun 12, 1964
46Win40–5 Stan HarringtonKO4 (10), 1:40Apr 14, 1964
45NC39–5 Juan Carlo DuranNC7 (10)Mar 11, 1964
44Win39–5Ralph DupasKO3 (12)Feb 10, 1964
43Loss38–5Rubin CarterTKO1 (10), 2:13Dec 20, 1963
42Win38–4Jose Monon GonzalezMD10Oct 5, 1963
41Win37–4Holly MimsUD10Aug 10, 1963
40Win36–4Luis Manuel RodríguezSD15Jun 8, 1963
39Loss35–4Luis Manuel RodríguezUD15Mar 21, 1963
38Win35–3Christian ChristensenTKO9 (15)Feb 3, 1963
37Win34–3Jorge FernandezTKO9 (15)Dec 8, 1962
36Win33–3Ted WrightPTS15Oct 17, 1962
35Win32–3Don FullmerUD10Oct 6, 1962
34Win31–3Denny MoyerSD10Aug 18, 1962
33Win30–3Ralph DupasUD15Jul 13, 1962
32Win29–3Benny ParetTKO12 (15), 2:09Mar 24, 1962
31Win28–3Johnny TorresUD10Feb 3, 1962
30Win27–3Isaac LogartMD10Dec 23, 1961
29Win26–3Stanford BullaKO4 (10), 2:35Nov 4, 1961
28Loss25–3Benny ParetSD15Sep 30, 1961
27Win25–2Yama BahamaUD10Jul 29, 1961
26Win24–2Gaspar OrtegaTKO12 (15), 0:48Jun 3, 1961
25Win23–2Benny ParetKO13 (15), 1:11Apr 1, 1961
24Win22–2Luis Manuel RodríguezSD10Dec 17, 1960
23Win21–2Willie ToweelTKO8 (10), 3:00Oct 22, 1960
22Win20–2Florentino FernándezUD10Aug 25, 1960
21Win19–2Jorge FernandezUD10Jul 25, 1960
20Win18–2Jorge FernandezSD10Jun 3, 1960
19Loss17–2Denny MoyerSD10Apr 26, 1960
18Win17–1Denny MoyerSD10Mar 11, 1960
17Win16–1Gaspar OrtegaSD10Feb 12, 1960
16Win15–1Roberto PeñaUD10Jan 8, 1960
15Win14–1Ray LancasterTKO7 (10), 1:44Nov 23, 1959
14Loss13–1Randy SandySD10Oct 26, 1959
13Win13–0Kid FichiqueUD10Aug 7, 1959
12Win12–0Willie StevensonUD10May 25, 1959
11Win11–0Mel BarkerUD10Apr 27, 1959
10Win10–0Bobby ShellUD10Mar 23, 1959
9Win9–0Barry AllisonTKO5 (10), 2:44Feb 23, 1959
8Win8–0Willie Joe JohnsonTKO5 (6), 1:52Feb 9, 1959
7Win7–0Gaylord BarnesTKO5 (6), 1:46Jan 26, 1959
6Win6–0Larry JonesKO5 (6), 2:17Dec 15, 1958
5Win5–0Sergio RiosKO3 (6), 1:01Nov 17, 1958
4Win4–0Artie CunninghamPTS6Oct 6, 1958
3Win3–0Tommy LeaksPTS4Jul 21, 1958
2Win2–0Bruce GibsonPTS4Jun 23, 1958
1Win1–0Joe ParhamPTS4Jun 2, 1958

Honors

Recording artist

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.[27]

See also

Further reading

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: The Lineal Junior Middleweight Champions. Cyber Boxing Zone.
  2. Web site: The Lineal Welterweight Champs. Cyber Boxing Zone.
  3. Web site: The Lineal Middleweight Champions. Cyber Boxing Zone.
  4. https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/sep/10/boxer-emile-griffith-gay-taunts-book-extract "The night boxer Emile Griffith answered gay taunts with a deadly cortege of punches"
  5. News: Are These Really the 80 Best Boxers Ever?. ThoughtCo. December 19, 2017.
  6. Web site: BoxRec: Ratings. boxrec.com.
  7. Web site: Boxing Hall of Fame names first inductees.
  8. Web site: Photos of Emile Griffith . Find a Grave . 4 January 2024.
  9. Web site: 2004-10-13 . A champion's champion Secaucus resident part of boxing legendary partnership; inducted into NJ Boxing Hall of Fame - Hudson Reporter Archive . 2023-05-16 . hudsonreporter.com . en-US.
  10. Web site: Morilla . Diego . 2023-04-18 . On this day: Nino Benvenuti defeats Emile Griffith in first chapter of a legendary trilogy . 2023-05-16 . The Ring.
  11. Smith, Gary "The Shadow Boxer", Sports Illustrated, April 18, 2005.
  12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1c-AO_nyQY I've Got a Secret episode (April 12, 1961) in which Irene and Lorraine Berlin displayed hats designed by Griffith
  13. http://www.cbssports.com/boxing/story/5981685 The Great Rivalries
  14. Web site: Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story - Rotten Tomatoes . 2023-05-24 . www.rottentomatoes.com . en.
  15. Web site: Emile Griffith dies at 75; champion boxer struggled with his sexuality. July 24, 2013. Los Angeles Times. en-US. May 21, 2020.
  16. https://books.google.com/books?id=oTcDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA39 Griffith with wife Mercedes & best man Joe Frazier
  17. News: Emile Griffith, Benny Paret and the Fatal Fight . The New York Times . Dan . Klores . March 31, 2012 . December 8, 2019.
  18. https://archive.hudsonreporter.com/2013/07/28/the-passing-of-a-champion/ "The passing of a champion; Boxing Great Griffith, Who Called Hudson County Home For Years, Dies At 75"
  19. News: Former boxing champion Emile Griffith dies at 75. Fox News. July 23, 2013.
  20. Web site: 2021-10-09 . NYC cemetery, junkyard stand 'their' ground in property fight: suit . 2023-05-24 . en-US.
  21. Web site: Harvey . Dennis . 2005-02-02 . Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story . 2023-05-16 . Variety . en-US.
  22. Nathan . Daniel A. . 2000 . Jewison . Norman . The Story of the Hurricane . Journal of Sport History . 27 . 2 . 299–303 . 43609568 . 0094-1700.
  23. News: Schweitzer . Vivien . 2013-06-21 . Homophobia in the Ring Delivers Fatal Blows . en-US . The New York Times . 2023-05-16 . 0362-4331.
  24. News: Bisexual Boxer from 1960s to be Subject of Feature Film. South Florida Gay News. January 3, 2018. Ryan. Lynch.
  25. Lenny Abrahamson . Jarlath Regan. Jarlath. Regan. 129. An Irishman Abroad. March 5, 2016. SoundCloud. March 7, 2016.
  26. Web site: Huntington Schedule 2018-2019. Huntington Theater. May 10, 2018.
  27. Book: Charles . Ray . Ritz . David . Ray Charles' Own Story . 2002 . Da Capo . 9780306814310.

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