http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200.../griffith0418/
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Thanks for posting CC its a great read so far.
He had four fights to fight before he ever went down the aisleQuote:
Originally Posted by No Contest
cc back
good read
CC for a great read. I was about 12 yrs. old when I saw the Griffith/Paret fight live on tv. My son and I have met Emile a number of times at the IBHOF induction weekend. He's a class guy. Once, at the breakfast they used to hold, he took all the kids present and cut the line so the kids could get their photos and autographs with some of the famous fighters. And, yes, I have several autographs he signed and after his name he wrote "smile." Thanks again for the article.
Anybody know why they stopped the breakfasts?Quote:
Originally Posted by Canvasback
I allways thought it was a great tradition
When Griffith fought Paret Gillette Cavalcade of Sports was still high in ratings and boxing was the number one sport. I was too young to stay out late and everyone knew the ratings backwards and forward then. Boxing was number one and men knew just what they were, men and Griffith was the welterweight champ in a tough competitive era of the gentlemen's fine art of self defense. The world has changed but the name calling still lingers on and the dark secret corners that men hide their shame are in abundance. Emile Griffith stepped into the light for his moment and was pushed back and had to be what everyone expected him to be.
One of my all time favorite fighters...
Emile what an era he fought in.... Wow! simply amazing.
Starts off as a Welter while being the man, the World Champ as a Welter he moves up in weight and fights Wright for what was considered the Light Middleweight title and wins a lopsided decision. Completely shuts out Wright....
He then drops down to Welter after defending his Light Middle title once (he won that fight) to fight 'El Feo' Rodriguez who was considered a freaking beast then. Emile loses a decision but later avenges his loss by beating 'El Feo' twice... Somwhere there in between he was TKO'd in 1 by 'Hurricane' Carter in the way Rubin knew how his hurricane fashion. Emile also fought Dupas yet another World Class all time Welterweight fighter.
Emile or for that matter many fighters back them moved up and down in weight more often then Oprah Winfrey. ;D
But never made excuses and always moved forward knowing that loosing didn't mean the end of the world or the end of their career all it ment is gotta move onto the next state/arena and hope to pull out a big win. Emile was either the champ or was #1 behind the champ from 61 to 65 loosinf his Welterweight crown once to 'El Feo' as I mentioned above.
He then moves up to Middleweight to take on Dick Tiger and wins defends twice to Joey Archer then loosing to Nino gets his revenge then loses to Nino again. Other fighters that Emile faced as if that weren't enough to solidifu his greatness:
'Mantequilla' Napoles, Boggs, Earnie Lopez, Armando Muniz, Tony Mundine, Bennie Briscoe, Antueformo, Hamani, Minter.
Also for those who haven't seen his documentary 'Ring Of Fire' it's a must see.
It gives you and takes you to what went on for the Paret fight what he had to live with the mistreatment of him by people.
great read !
Don't know why they got rid of the breakfast on sunday. It was good when it was held at the fire station (no ac though) you could always get lots of autographs. I noticed when they changed it to the Rusty Rail there didn't seem to be as many fighters showing up.Quote:
Originally Posted by Trainer Monkey