Emile Griffith vs Joey Archer II (Video)

Great Thread!! I just watched this one a couple of weeks ago. Man there was some really good middleweights in 60's and these two fit right in that mix. Joey Archer couldn't crack an egg but he was a phenomenal boxer and he gave Griffin a tough time. Too me, Griffith is badly underated historically same with Giardello and Benson. That divison was unbelievably stacked and the best part was, they all fought each other!

On a side note, very disappointing the way Archer acted at the end of the fight. I thought Griffith won the fight pretty clearly.

 

Bump. Thread is too good to die. Seriously, more people need to watch this fight!

 

Archer was an artful dodger of the jab-and-grab variety. Couldn’t bust a grape and if you got close it was like fighting an octopus the way he’d tie you up.

Not pleasing to the eye at all.

 

I disagree about the jab and grab comment. Watch the fight above and some of his other fights on YouTube. Highly skilled guy that had a great jab and excellent footwork. I don't see any excessive clinching from him.

 

We must be watching different fights. Every time Emile gets near him, Archer halts the action by either extending both arms under Emile’s armpits or by grabbing Griffith’s hands to tie him up.

He jabs and moves and when the opponent gets close he calls timeout.

 

He definitely ties him up on the inside like any outside fighter would against Griffin. I just don't see anything excessive. I agree he doesn't have much pop on his punches. Amazing he was able to hold off and beat guys like Dick Tiger and Ruben Carter without any power. He was phenomenal outside fighter.

I do get that his style doesn't appeal to all fight fans but his talent is undeniable.

 

Not saying he didn’t have talent. He fought on his terms. But you can see the same tactics in the Holly Mims fight: he’s comfortable at long range and mid range but anytime an opponent gets close he initiates a clinch and hangs on for dear life until the ref gives him a reprieve.

That’s smart. But as for my viewing pleasure, I’d rather see someone who fights back on the inside ... maybe fire off a quick combo and pivot out to try to get back at optimal range rather than just try to nullify and call a timeout.

 

Fair enough. His style certainly is not for everyone and you are correct. He was not good on the inside at all.

 

Saw this fight with a non-boxing fan buddy, so it was like I was the commentator for the guy for 15 rounds, haha. I swear, I learned so much about boxing from watching 15 round bouts featuring such great ring artists like Griffith and Archer. I agreed with the decision, as I think Archer just didn't assert himself in those last 3 or 4 rounds...wheres Griffith....whose bad habit of losing focus and driving poor ol' Gil Clancy crazy, contributed to Archer's success as times...but really stepped on the gas in those last 3 rounds and deserved the nod IMO. He showed how clever he was in adapting to any opponent's style...in this case, a dancing, moving, jabbing wil-o-the-wisp like Joey Archer...just like he did in their 1st fight back in 1966...Emile's first defense of the crown he so brilliantly won from Dlck Tiger in April, also in '66.
There are many who might think that I'm a bit of a masochist for liking 15 rounders that featured guys like Emile Griffith, who wasn't exciting of flashy,...but...he was a master ring mechanic who got things done, and like I said, was a mater of the 15 round distance...I'd get up from the couch after one of his fights all glassy eyed but happy and fullfilled lol...

 

Archer was such a *****. He got a shitload of close decisions fighting in his hometown and then when loses to Griffith (correct decision) he takes his ball and goes home. Was he just supposed to keep getting gifts the rest of his career?

 

I think it was his corner who instigated that moreso than the man himself.

Both fights rank among the best technical battles ever. IMO, the 1st fight was very close & possibly debatable, but I thought Griffith was a close-but-clear winner in the rematch after Archer's struggles to make weight took a visible toll down the stretch.