Welcome to the Emile Griffith Wing

This section is dedicated to a SIX-TIME WORLD CHAMPION. A man who fought his way to the top of his game, meeting all challengers and contenders en route to becoming one of boxings’ elite; a TRUE multi-champion.

EMILE GRIFFITH; A Friend To Boxing

New York City’s adopted son honed his craft at St. Nicks Arena and became a fixture at Madison Square Garden fighting more main events in the Garden than any other headliner in history. Turning pro in 1958, he went on to simultaneously hold both the World Welterweight and Middleweight crown in 1966. Unknown to most, Emile Alphonse Griffith holds one of boxings’ unbreakable records. He has fought more title fight rounds (339) than any other world champion in history. This includes all-time greats Abe Attell (337), Sugar Ray Robinson (288) and Muhammad Ali (270).

The bible of boxing magazines “The RING” (no affiliation with this website) has included Emile Griffith in their pages many times throughout his career and he still makes appearances from time to time. But his first “guestshot” in this prestigious periodical occurred in the August 1958 issue. Hidden away on page 32 in “Seen & Heard in N.Y.” is the following line referring to his pro debut at St. Nicholas Arena on June 2, 1958; “The 1958 National Golden Gloves welterweight champion, Emile Griffith, 157, West Side, celebrated his professional debut by out-pointing Joe Parham, 162, Paterson N.J. in the opening four.” Those weights as quoted are incorrect, but does any one reading this know what became of Joe Parham? Also, worth mentioning is that a future 2X challenger for Emile’s middleweight crown also fought that night winning his 15th straight bout. That’s right, Joey Archer of the Bronx! He played second fiddle to his main event brother Jimmy (who lost).

The Ring Magazine Championship Belt

Presented to Emile Griffith after defeating Dick Tiger in 1966!

While still holding the Welterweight Championship Emile Griffith, weighing in at 150 1/2 Lbs., wins the Middleweight Crown via a unanimous decision over the Champion Dick Tiger.

Emile Griffith Golden Gloves Programs

Two Golden Gloves programs from Emile’s amateur career. At left is the New York Golden Gloves finals of 1957 where Emile, boxing out of the West 28th St. parks Dept., was outpointed in the novice division by Charles Wormley of Salem Crescent AC. Below is the Eastern Championships of 1958, where Emile prevailed in the open division. Emile is pictured in and has graciously autographed both.

Emile Griffith vs. Ernie “Red” Lopez

Emile Griffith decisions Ernie “Red” Lopez in 10 rounds, March 30, 1972, Los Angeles.

 Griffith was the consummate boxer who combined speed, aggressiveness, determination, and occasional power with superb defensive prowess and incredible stamina. A welterweight with the shoulders of a light heavy, Griffith moved around the ring with the grace of a gazelle.

Well disciplined by Clancy in all facets of boxing fundamentals, Griffith had the uncanny ability to maneuver his opponent into a “cornering” position where he would employ hooks to the body and head followed by a formidable right hand.

Griffith vs. Gasper Ortega

Griffith beats Gasper Ortega in 10 rounds at Madison Square Garden, February 12, 1960. Griffith, while snapping his double jab, with defensive guard always apparent together with his lateral movement, was a difficult target for any and all opponents.

Griffith’s “Phrases of the Day”

Always, a likeable fan favorite and well respected by the press, Griffith would often break the ice with reporters by chanting “phrases of the day” with his melodic island voice, followed by an ear-to-ear smile.

This was never more apparent than on the evening of December 20, 1963 in Pittsburgh, PA. He hadn’t lost his welterweight crown, since he’d fought Rubin “Hurricane” Carter over the class limit of 147 lbs, yet shock and dismay were on the faces of the reporters that hovered nearby. Emile had been KO’d in the first round. Seated on the rub-down table, Griffith sensed the vacuum. A big smile cracked his features as he said: “MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU”. With that greeting, laughter ensued and the press soon had their story for the late city editions.

In 1963, Griffith was outstanding over the long haul and when the Boxing Writers Association met in the first weeks of December, he was their unanimous choice as Fighter of the Year. However, how does one pull off the acceptance speech at the ceremony in January, after being stretched two weeks earlier. Leave it to Griffith. At the appropriate juncture, attired in black tux, Emile gracefully reached the podium; “Gentlemen, I started to come here over a month ago, but a funny thing happened on the way, I stopped in Pittsburgh…(pause and huge grin) and I really mean, I stopped, COLD. Maybe, I should have stayed there, after what I did to you after selecting me. But gentlemen, I had a round trip ticket. I couldn’t let it go to waste.”

There is one thing about this V-shaped man who possessed the ability to destroy other men with his fists. He always had humor and fun within him, no matter what happened. He carried his heavy burdens with a light heart and a competitive distinction.

During the 1959 licensing period, Griffith would rise through the welterweight ranks by beating such contenders as Gasper Ortega, Denny Moyer, Jorge Fernandez and Florentino Fernandez.

It was during the 1960 licensing period that Griffith would earn his spot as the number one challenger by beating Luis Rodriguez. He would go on to win the World Welterweight Championship for the first time (4/1/1961) by knocking out Benny “Kid” Paret in the 13th round in Miami. He successfully defended against Gasper Ortega in L.A. before losing to Paret at MSG on September 30, 1961.

Emile’s Career in the 1960’s

On April 1, 1961, at the Miami Beach Convention Hall Emile Griffith received his chance at fame and fortune: a shot at the World Welterweight Championship held by Benny “Kid” Paret. He showed he was nobody’s April Fool! In a hard fought battle, Emile reached down deep and in the 13th round caught the champion with a tremendous left followed up by a thundering right cross. Paret went down and was counted out. Emile Griffith was the Welterweight Champion Of The World.

The official program to this historic bout. Graciously signed by Emile.

This is an original full ticket to this historic bout. The ticket has been graciously signed by Emile.

Welterweight Champion Items of 1961-1962

EMILE GRIFFITH BRONZED FIGHT WORN GLOVE from his April 1, 1961 Welterweight Championship fight. Obtained many years ago direct from Emile.

Bronzed and mounted by Gil and Howie after Emile wins the Welterweight Title. The brass plate reads:

“This glove worn by Emile Griffith when winning the World’s Welterweight Championship by a K.O. over Benny Kid Paret 13th Round, April 1, 1961 Managed by Gil Clancy and Howard Albert”

Champion Plaque 1962

This plaque presented to Emile as Welterweight Champion in April 1962. Also obtained many years ago direct from Emile, it reads:

“Presented to Emil (sic) Griffith, Welterweight Champion of the World, In honor of his outstanding performance in the boxing world and his relentless effort in guiding the youth of America to achieve good health, sportsmanship and moral integrity. Chris Jackman Ass’n April 1962

Events in Emile’s career 

Emile With A Fan

Emile experienced a tough upbringing as a child in the Virgin Islands. Throughout his career and to this very day he always has time for children.

Griffith and Gasper Ortega attend a boxing luncheon combined with a hat fashion show at Gilhuly’s Restaurant in NY, 2/8/1960. Griffith once worked as a stock clerk in Howie Albert’s millinery shop.

THE GRIFFITH-RODRIGUEZ SAGA

55 ROUNDS or “getting to know you…”

Luis Rodriguez and Griffith show some in-fighting during their 15 round battle for Griffith’s welterweight title in Dodger Stadium, March 21, 1963.

GRIFFITH, in one of the most popular RING magazine covers, is shown in close combat with arch-rival the great Luis Rodriguez.

Griffith and Rodriguez met for the fourth and final time on June 12, 1964 in Las Vegas. Emile successfully defended his World Welterweight Championship with a unanimous 15 round decision over the talented Rodriguez.

This was also the final curtain for MSG’s nationally televised Gillette boxing championship series.

This outing, the fourth and final meeting of these closely matched warriors, saw Griffith win a unanimous but close decision. All of their bouts (3 of which were title bouts) were tightly contested, with Rodriguez winning their second meeting (and the title) in L.A. via decision.

It’s a good time to point out that Griffith’s most stellar performances were always when fighting to gain the championship, rather than when defending it.

Immediately, following this win, Griffith was calling for a shot at Giardello and the middleweight crown (that would not occur until two years later against Giardello conqueror, the legendary Dick Tiger). Griffith received $50,000 and Rodriguez earned $21,000.

The champion fought with driving force in the trenches, attacking frequently to the body

This fight was the roughest of the four fights, with much infighting leading to many infractions of the rules. An accidental head butt in the second round opened up a cut over Luis’s left eye, but excellent corner work by his manager, Angelo Dundee kept the damage in check. Rodriguez never backed away, but Emile tallied up an early lead by landing the better more effective punches and by displaying a cute rolling defense. Griffith jabbed often, went to the body with the more effective blows and peppered the Luis’s right eye with lefts. The referee penalized Rodriguez one point in the third round for a low blow, of which there were many.

Rodriguez was at his best in the seventh and eight rounds, but found Emile able to withstand his onslaught of body shots. Griffith was guilty of holding and hitting several times in the tenth, but was not penalized. The eleventh saw the champ land two big left hooks to Luis’s head. There was action after the bell, in the twelfth when neither man heard the gong and Emile let go a left hook to the head before the ref could step between them.

Griffith landed the best punch of the fight in the fourteenth, when he jolted Luis back with a hard left hook to the jaw. Rodriguez showed a formidable attack in the final round, but it was too little too late.

Once again, Griffith showed his all around boxing talent (this time by withstanding the challengers predominate mid-section attack) and emerged victorious.

A Look Back At Emile Alphonse Griffith Through Some Original Early On-Site Fight Posters

Original on-site fight posters are the premier boxing memorabilia collectible. This style of advertisement of an upcoming prizefight at the local neighborhood venue, is a a relic of times past. It is the closest physical evidence we have to experiencing the era of the actual fight itself, while treating it as memorabilia. The event itself, the hype if you will, is of course why we have the sporting interest in the first place…

The following are cardboard and measure 28 inches by 22 inches. 

December 15, 1958 – St. Nicholas Arena – vs. Larry Jones. Griffith by 5th round KO. Check out the headliners!

April 27, 1959 – St. Nicholas Arena – vs. “Cowboy” Mel Barker. His 11th pro fight. This one might be Griffith’s first poster photo. Billed as “Howard Albert’s great young fighter”. Emile Griffith wins via decision in 10.

November 23, 1959 – Griffith gets back on the horse and returns to The Academy of Music in a scheduled 8 rounder and KO’s tough Ray Lancaster in 7.

August 25, 1960 – Madison Square Garden – In a hugely anticipated showdown, Emile decisions KO artist Florentino Fernandez in 10.

Griffith Recordings 

Emile Griffith 45 rpm recordings: Yes…The Champ Sings!!

EMILE GRIFFITH; WORLD CHAMP IN THE RING and IN THE RECORDING STUDIO

Oscar De La Hoya isn’t the only Welterweight Champ who has ventured into the recording studio. Yes, that’s right our champ, who not only beats Oscar in the ring, KO’s him in the vocal arenas.

At the top of his game in the sixties, Emile was also known to sing in the choir at his local church. This led to several studio recordings; several of which are pictured here. Rarer than hens teeth is his Tangerine Records original recording of Dee Irwins’ “GOIN GOIN GONE” (a) and THAT’S WHAT I LIKE” (b). Also depicted are two Columbia Records recordings “WHILE WE’RE DANCING” (a) and “EVERYBODY NEEDS LOVE” (b). And “ALWAYS ON MY MIND (a) and “A LITTLE BIT MORE” (b).

Emile, Louis, and Conn

This is a great photo of Emile together with all-time greats, Joe Louis and Billy Conn. No doubt, having a few kind words to say about the champs latest hit single!

LEROY NEIMAN SIGNED PRINT

In 1962, artist Leroy Neiman was at ringside for the tragic ending to the third Griffith vs. Paret bout. On offer is a rare print and original wire photo reflecting that well known ring tragedy. This endearing print bears an original inscription and signature of Leroy Neiman and has also been signed by Emile. The print is inscribed: “To Howie {Albert} Looking Back, Leroy Neiman ’92”. This was most likely given to Howie Albert (Emile’s lifelong manager) on the 30th anniversary of that fight. The vintage wire photo has been signed in blue ballpoint pen by Emile Griffith. Professionally matted and framed, it is a touching reminder of the ultimate risk undertaken by professional prizefighters, both yesterday and today.

An original ticket from Emile Griffith vs. Denny Moyer held at the Tacoma, Washington Arena on August 18, 1962. This was Emile’s second venture back into the prize ring after the Benny “Kid” Paret tragedy.

Some original artwork of Emile! By Lud.

Emile is featured here on a popular trading card series. An outstanding photo of Griffith vs. Nino Benvenuti. Graciously autographed by Emile.

BENNY “KID” PARET – AN EXTREMELY RARE SIGNED CUT PAGE FROM AN AUTOGRAPH COLLECTORS BOOK – PROFESSIONALLY MATTED WITH AN 8 X 10 ACTION PHOTO.

Emile and his K-9 Friends

Every dog has his day and every dog wants to meet Emile and get the champs autograph.

Here is Emile at the Concord Hotel in 1966, with the hotel mascot “Woof Woof”, while training for his defense of the World Middleweight crown against Joey Archer in 1966.

Another autograph hound!!

Here’s Emile and his canine pal PUG! (no pun intended) in 1968. Emile was in training to regain the middleweight crown from Nino Benvenuti.

Our dog FRED is no different as he eagerly awaits the champs next visit to Staten Island.