Emile Griffith

[Uncle Dekka]

Emile Griffith

Former world welterweight and middleweight champion.



Emile Griffith won two world titles and mixed in the highest class throughout a long and successful career, but will always be remembered for his fatal meeting with Cuban Benny “Kid” Paret.

The Virgin Islander fought Paret three times for the world welterweight title in the early sixties knocking out his rival in 13 rounds in Miami Beach in April 1961 before the Cuban gained revenge on points in New York, five months later.

But in their rubber match in March 1962, Griffith won back the title with a 12th round knockout only for the win to be overshadowed by tragedy. Paret never regained consciousness and died in hospital 10 days later, but Griffith would fight on with considerable success.

Born in St Thomas on February 3, 1938, Griffith was one of the most enduring of fighters and, after turning pro in 1958, boxed for 19 years. He lost the welterweight crown on points in his third defence to another Cuban Luis Rodriguez in March 1963, but reclaimed it on the judges’ scorecards only three months later. He made four more successful defences in the coming years though he lost in three non-title bouts including a one-round demolition at the hands of the celebrated Rubin “Hurricane” Carter.

Griffith stepped up in weight to outpoint Dick Tiger and seize the world middleweight crown in April 1966 and made two successful defences before engaging in a three fight series with Italian star Nino Benvenuti.

Benvenuti won the first in April 1967 before Griffith won back his cherished title the following September. But the Italian won the third of their points battles in March 1968 in New York and, though Griffith fought for the world title four more times (against Jose Napoles, Carlos Monzon, twice, and Eckhard Dagge), he would never be champion again.

He retired, aged 39, in 1977. Only Carter and Monzon stopped him in a 112 fight career.

Emile Griffith: Fights 112, Wins 85 Losses 24 Draws 2 No Contests 1 (Knockouts 23).

By Mark G. Butcher

http://www.secondsout.com/Legends/bi...cs=235&cs=8583