1. Emile Alphonse Griffith was an American professional boxer who won world titles in three weight divisions.
24 Facts About Emile Griffith
1. 2.
Emile Griffith held the world light middleweight, undisputed welterweight, and middleweight titles.
3.
Emile Griffith's best-known contest was a 1962 title match with Benny Paret.
4.
In 1963 and 1964, Emile Griffith was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America.
5.
Emile Griffith was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.
6.
Emile Griffith trained at the West 28th Street Parks Department Gym in New York City.
7.
Emile Griffith turned professional in 1958 and fought frequently in New York City.
8.
Emile Griffith captured the Welterweight title from Cuban Benny "The Kid" Paret by knocking him out in the 13th round on April 1,1961.
9.
Six months later, Emile Griffith lost the title to Paret in a narrow split decision.
10.
Emile Griffith regained the title from Paret on March 24,1962, in the controversial bout after which Paret died.
11.
Emile Griffith waged a classic four-fight series with Luis Rodriguez, losing their second fight and winning the other three.
12.
Emile Griffith defeated middleweight contender Holley Mims but was knocked out in one round by Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.
13.
Emile Griffith lost, regained and then lost the middleweight crown in three classic fights with Nino Benvenuti.
14.
Emile Griffith 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.
15.
Emile Griffith had been incensed by an anti-gay slur directed at him by Paret during the weigh-in.
16.
Emile Griffith had to be restrained from attacking Paret on the spot.
17.
Emile Griffith reportedly felt guilt over Paret's death and suffered nightmares about Paret for 40 years.
18.
Emile Griffith trained other boxers, including Wilfred Benitez and Juan Laporte of Puerto Rico.
19.
Emile Griffith is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
20.
In 1971, two months after they met, Emile Griffith married another Virgin Islander, Mercedes "Sadie" Donastorg, who was then a member of the dance troupe "Prince Rupert and the Slave Girls".
21.
Emile Griffith adopted Donastorg's daughter, but the marriage only lasted a few months.
22.
In 1992, Emile Griffith was viciously beaten and almost killed on a New York City street after leaving a gay bar near the Port Authority Bus Terminal.
23.
Emile Griffith was in the hospital for four months after the assault.
24.
Emile Griffith was buried in St Michael's Cemetery, Queens, New York City.