Could Emile Griffith be champ today @ 147?

Griffith was a big, strong man who could stand toe to toe with middleweights. Luis Rodriguez was as clever a fighter as any. Bud and 42 year old Pac would not be favorites on my books.

 

Not only would he be a champion but he would be probably do a Paret on the lot of them. An all time great at 147 he wouldn't be beaten.

 

Funny, I was just reading his book.

He'd beat all 3. Although, all 3 being southpaws would offer a new challenge. As aside from Minter, I can't think of any Griffith faced.

I mean, I don't think it overly matters. Griffith's cast iron jaw, straight right and monster strength on top his awesome skills win these for him. I'd pick him to stop Pacquiao. Crawford needs his chin tested, and Spence is probably durable enough to last 12. 15 though? Who knows.

I'd also pick him to beat a prime Pacquiao.

 

You know he also lost to Paret right?

 

True, but most people who watched that fight thought Griffith won it as well.

 

As did I. I was just pointing out that his example wasn't a good one. And in poor taste.

 

With 1 arm!

 

Griffith would have been a champion in any era. He was very strong, clever, ring smart...as in a high ring IQ, and was a master of going 15 rounds....that's significant in that he fought in the 15 round era...15 rounds separated the men from the boys. Griffith was a true ring great!!!

 

In an era where a fighter as mediocre as Keith Thurman recently reigned as unified champ?

Yeaaaaaaaaaa, I'd venture to say Griffith could do pretty well.

 

Don't forget Jeff Horn!

When it's arguable a 40 year old Pacquiao, or Shawn Porter... are the best in the division, it's a pretty poor state of affairs.

 

Who Griffith or Spence?

 

Easily, he'd also dominate. Griffith averaged 4 to 6 fights a year the entirety of his career, Pac, Crawford and Spence
has averaged around 6 fights since 2016. Boxing is the ultimate sport of skills, and timing. The more fights one has
the better one becomes IF he has all the other tools required to be good. Griffith and most good/great
fighters from past era's would be college grads compared to Jr.high school students with recent fighters. Past fighters would be so much
sharper, their anticipation and reactions so much better. Griffith also could fight hard for 15 rds, his endurance proven many times.
He would have no problem with 12rds. But could today's fighters fight 15?
Griffith, if we could time travel him from his era to this one, he'd have no serious issues with any of the fighters today.