Cokes claims that, although he knew Griffith had no fear of him, Gil Clancy didn't fancy it; he says he thinks that Gil thinks that Griffith would have struggled with him. Cokes stopped Luis Rodriguez, the only welterweight ever to pull the trick, who Griffith famously struggled with (though he has 3-1 to Cokes' 2-1 in their respective series). Styles make fights and Cokes was expert at drawing the heat out of a fight while Griffith was sometimes something of a deluxe spoiler - this could be boring but it could also be close. Anyone think Cokes might have got to Griffith and what do you make of Gil's supposed reluctance to match him?
Cokes was extremely talented and emile would have to be on his game to win. The was a streak there where he ran through the division and the only guy to beat him was Gypsy joe Harris. Still I'd pick griffith because I'm a punk. I mean traditional.
I 'm not sure on Clancey's reluctance to face Cokes with Griffith because Griffith was thrown in with EVERYBODY. It may be because he worked Cokes' corner at times...? Cokes during his prime was very fundamentally sound with KO power. The series results with the excellent Luis Manuel Rodriguez gets my attention when considering this match up. LMR went through a land mine of middleweight punchers, but it was Curtis Cokes who turned the trick in stopping him. This suggests power, and quick accurate delivery, because LMR was very slick. I think it's close prime for prime, but the Griffith who beat Ortega in a welter defense would get my vote as a decision winner over Cokes. Kind of a rambling response...but that 's my take. Prime for prime H2H I'd consider Cokes on the same plane as Napoles, Griffith, and LMR. But in splitting hairs..(which you're in the process of I guess) I'd say Napoles, Griffith, Cokes, and LMR on H2H basis in that order at welterweight.
I like cokes and ive collected every s**** of footage on him i know to exist but i think griffith would be too much for him. I think cokes would give griffith problems early but i think griffith would impose himself on cokes and take over.
Griff was too strong ultimately for Cokes...he wouldn't stop him, or deck him, but he would outwork Curtis and have him all figured out in the last 5 five rounds of a 15 rounder....that's where Emile ruled the seas.
