Emile Griffith—“Ring of Fire”
By Boxing News on September 23, 2011
Emile Griffith won the welterweight title from Benny "The Kid" Paret on April 1, 1961
Emile Griffith was born on Feb. 3, 1938 and was the first fighter from the U.S. Virgin Islands ever to become a world champion. He turned pro in 1958 and was a favorite in New York City. Griffith won the welterweight title from Benny “The Kid” Paret on April 1, 1961. Six months later Griffith lost the title back to Paret in a narrow split-decision. Griffith regained the title from Paret on March 24, 1962, in a fight that Paret did not survive. Griffith had memorable bouts with Luis Rodriguez, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, Dick Tiger, Nino Benvenuti, Carlos Monzón, and José Nápoles, before retiring with a 85-24-2 record.
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