Emile Griffith - setting the record straight on his close fights

Seems the scores for that were pretty wide Mante.

How did it play out? Jordan-Paret I mean.

 

Emile Griffith has always one of my favorite fighters, but I'll admit that he isnt as exiting to watch as some other guys. His style was one of a consumate ring mechanic who didn't do any one thing great, but everything very well. After the Paret fight, he became the mechanic...the well rounded 15 round technician that he's famous for. You just had a hunch that his fights would always go the distance for a points win or loss. Actually, in his last 10 y or so as a fighter, Dick Tiger was a "decision" man as well. You were tested as a real fan of the subtleties of boxing when it came to Griffith. He could, in most cases, outfight the boxers and outbox the fighters, and his fights were like tactical conversations with his opponents, rather than wild, bloody shootouts. I believe also he ha the record for accumulated championship rounds fought in all those 15 rounders he fought.

 

I was sure Joey Archer beat him the 1st time...2nd time was close.....But Joey should have gotten the 1st one and been a Champion

 

An unwatchable punch and grab maulfest.

 

That was my impression also back in the sixties, but I haven't seen this fight in decades. Have to see some time if it is on youtube.

 

Very interesting thread! Thanks!

 

By reading how yous do not like his fights.

What was his style? As i have not seen emile fight, but am interested to see why he is no fun to watch

 

Shoulda read it all

 

Emile was a tidy technician. He kept his gloves high with his chin down and worked out a strategy and stuck do it, normally using movement to get in and out of range and score with afew shots.

I like his style of boxing, tidy and clean and very efficient but not to everyones taste.

Part of it is he had power but never used it to end fights!

 

Griffith was a consummate, competent, but boring fighter. I recall he could not punch all that hard. His fights with Rodriquez exemplify my memory of him. I think he was the Ring fighter of the year in 64 or 63.

I appreciated his winning ways, but he was not my favorite to watch.

 

Was this due to the Paret Tragedy?

 

Yeah, Griff was boring to many, but I've always considered him to be a "master mechanic" of a sort...who could accomodate himself to deal with just about any style he was up against. Always enjoyed his fights.

 

Yes, after the Paret tragedy he was content to win decisions, much like Dick Tiger was.

 

theres your answer Robot. It probably was due to the Paret tradegedy.

As it happened Emile Griffith added me on Facebook recently and we have been talking about boxing.