Seems to be getting an awful lot of attention from the critics, just wondering if it may get made into a film. A very interesting look at this All Time Greats life.... Check out the Website. www.ninetenandout.com
Nine... Ten... and Out!" is a book full of drama, comic touches, sadness and joy. What goodness, strength, and innocence that is the man Emile Griffith. And then tragedy... as in the documentary (Ring of Fire), so in the book: when Emile meets Benny, Jr., 40+ years later, it is hard not to be moved. I have to confess that prior to "The Ring of Fire," Emile Griffith's sexuality never occurred to me, one way or the other. I was also unaware of his later career as a trainer, and knew nothing of the mugging, nor the matter of being generous to a fault, to his very own detriment. What is shown is that Emile seems very capable of making the most of what he has, with a smile, and that ain't a bad thing (forget what any of the so-called Elitists would say). While it's sad to read about the mental deterioration, and everything that can be inferred therein (boxing, mugging, age), it's clear the last thing Emile would want is to be pitied. All said and done, I have nothing but affection and admiration for this truly great warrior who, as Ron Ross shows, also happens to be a very good guy. The drama is delineated with strong narrative, sound judgement, moments endearingly comic, and with Ross's always very human touch. Who can ask for more?
is that him on facebook...from the little i know about his current condition, i dont think he would be capable of speaking to anyone on facebook. he's only 71 too...amazing to think that it seems like SO long ago, back in the black and white days, when he was champ...some people regard him as a three weight champ, but not all, as in some folks eyes, he won the first ever world light middleweight title, but it was the next guy danny moyer who picked up the vacant title after emile concentrated on defending his welterweight title that is generally reconised as the first light middleweight chamion...ironically, moyers last fight before winning that title was a loss to emile griffith in a non title bout. emile had his first pro bout in 1958 and by 1961 had won the world welterweight title {from benny peret in the first fight of a trilogy that seen peret die some days after their final fight in 1962}..and he had his last fight in 1977 against future world middleweight champ alan minter. if you do regard his light middle title as legit {and, again, most dont} then he is a six time world champion...and fought in 24 world title fights...he tried to regain the world light middle title at the end of his career in 76 but lost on points. also, aparently, some years ago..early 90's {?} he was jumped on by a gang of thugs who seen him leaving a gay pub and beat him until he was very nearly dead. one of the greats...every history book on the sport will always dedicate a section of print to him.
i got the film ring of fire , about his life story, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0436720/ funny i watched it again the other day, excellent i think
"I keep thinking how strange it is ... I kill a man and most people understand and forgive me," Griffith says in the book. "However, I love a man, and to so many people this is an unforgivable sin; this makes me an evil person. So, even though I never went to jail, I have been in prison almost all my life." Griffith is now 70 years old and this is the first time he has talked openly about his sexuality. Rumors have circulated throughout the boxing world for years, but Griffith never spoke on them.
Read the book and it was a very enjoyable read.He just comes across as a good guy who wouldn't do a bad turn to anyone.He was a helluva fighter not spectacular to watch but knew all the moves,and he was very tough.It's amazing really that in the later stages of his career he was giving a huge middleweight and ATG in Monzon plenty of trouble.
it's definitely him, Pater has spoke to him as well. his dementia can be seen at times as he calls people out who comment on his photos :rofl seems like a gentleman though.
he does say some things which are wrong but hes a total nice guy wow thats amazing me and Emile talk alot on it in tha little chat thing and he remembers who i am. top guy
Just out of interest, Emile has boxed more world title 'rounds' than any fighter in history: 1. Emile Griffith 339 2. Abe Attell 337 3. Hilario Zapata 303 4. Julio Cesar Chavez 300 5. Sugar Ray Robinson 288 6. Muhammad Ali 270 7. Eusebio Pedroza and Miguel Canto (both on 266) 8. Manuel Ortiz 260 9. Tony Canzoneri 259 10. Evander Holyfield 256 (two ahead of Larry Holmes).
punchdrunk check out the website in post 1 also Terry Emile basically lived in the garden he was a great fighter
