A Man's World: The Double Life of Emile Griffith

Amen. Between his long career and multiple titles there is plenty more to discuss about this decent and good human being than his ***uality.

 

I corresponded with him a few times on FB and he was indeed a very nice man. I asked him about the Tiger fights and he said that he respected Tiger very much and that he was very proud of his title winning accomplishment in 1966.

 

That '66 bout with Tiger was probably the reason that I became a life long boxing fan, and I told him so on FB.

 

Very nice recollection. Yes he was a good man.

 

:thumbsup

 

:huh

I haven't seen any ****phobic comments on this thread. Quite the opposite.

 

U, neither have I. But some posters just love to stir up the pot so to speak. Makes them feel so noble...I say live and let live, and everyone has a right to their own point of views as long as lt doesn't infringe upon someone else...

 

Emile Griffith was an outstanding all round boxer who fought everyone. A double weight undisputed champion plus a version of the light-middle title. Past his best, he gave Monzon all he could handle in two fights, despite big disadvantages in size and location (first fight). This new book on him is a must for me. I have read three of Donald McRae's books and particularly liked his one on Joe Louis and Jesse Owens ; "In Black & White" and a non boxing one on the great 20's lawyer Clarence Darrow ; "The Old Devil". Interesting to contrast Emile's globe trotting, fight the best anywhere attitude, with Las Vegas Floyd's cosy "49".

 

I also was quite fascinated with the Griffith-Benvenuti trilogy in '67 and '68. Nino was a sensation in '67 in their initial bout in winning the title and subsequently injecting boxing with some much needed glamour, coming on the heels of Ali's 3 year departure from the ring. The rematch was quite a different story as Griff seemed to pull it together and and do what was necessary to win and redeem himself...but that mysterious third bout.....I know that it was a real squeaker, with a 9th round kd apparently being the deciding factor for Nino...and it was somewhat disputed at that, as Griffith dominated the last three rounds, so I've read. Really wish that there was a film of that fight...one of those boxing oddities that there isn't. That triiogy fascinated me then as it does now.

 

Does it matter? Freddie Mills was supposed to be either gay or bi. I wonder why McRae feels the need to write a book on Griffiths with emphasis on the gay aspect of his life? I don't think it was a particularly well kept secret at the time.

 

Maybe because then he would have to change the NAME of his book? :roll:

 

Well, there was a rumour Freddie was gay, I certainly don't think it was more or less a certainty.

 

The books or the males?

 

Griffith was married and Joe Frazier was his best man.

 

I remember seeing the photo of his marriage, with he, his wife and Joe in the pic.