1938-2013
Record: 85W-24L-2D (23KO)
Country:USA
Height: 5' 7.5"
Reach: 72"
Prime division: Welterweight
Emile Griffith was a great champion at the welterweight and middle weight divisions. He fought the best at both divisions in a highly competitive time period including Jose Napoles, Bennie Briscoe, Nino Benvenuti , and Carlos Monzon. Emile Griffith had good power in his gloves, but the third fight he had with Benny Paret would change the way he used them forever. Paret had disrespected Griffith with slurs about homosexuality, so an angry Griffith unloaded on Paret in the twelve round to get a TKO victory. Benny Paret would die in the hospital days after the fight. From then on Emile Griffith won only by his boxing skills, and was too fearful of the damage he could do with his fist. Long after retiring Emile Griffith came out and allowed the world to know he was gay. Hopefully this incredible athlete can inspire others to not be scared, and proves that there is no difference among us.
Record: 85W-24L-2D (23KO)
Country:USA
Height: 5' 7.5"
Reach: 72"
Prime division: Welterweight
Emile Griffith was a great champion at the welterweight and middle weight divisions. He fought the best at both divisions in a highly competitive time period including Jose Napoles, Bennie Briscoe, Nino Benvenuti , and Carlos Monzon. Emile Griffith had good power in his gloves, but the third fight he had with Benny Paret would change the way he used them forever. Paret had disrespected Griffith with slurs about homosexuality, so an angry Griffith unloaded on Paret in the twelve round to get a TKO victory. Benny Paret would die in the hospital days after the fight. From then on Emile Griffith won only by his boxing skills, and was too fearful of the damage he could do with his fist. Long after retiring Emile Griffith came out and allowed the world to know he was gay. Hopefully this incredible athlete can inspire others to not be scared, and proves that there is no difference among us.