Ex-champ Emile Griffith dies at 75

[GRIM]

RIP

Emile Griffith, who held the welterweight and middleweight championships in the 1960s, has died, the International Boxing Hall of Fame said Tuesday.

The fighter, born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, was 75. He died at the Nassau Extended care facility in Hempstead, Long Island, an employee said.

Griffith was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. He lived in Upper Harlem with his mother as a child, and also spent time living in Queens, New Jersey and Long Island.

In a 1962 welterweight title fight, Griffith knocked out Benny "Kid" Paret with an array of vicious punches in the 12th round. Paret died 10 days later from brain injuries.

Griffith's sexual orientation was just another layer to his story, acknowledging in 2005 that he was bisexual.

Author Ron Ross wrote a book, "Nine, Ten and Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith" on Griffith, and knew the fighter since 1963.

"He was a tremendous boxer and person," Ross said. "It is almost a blessing that he passed away because he has been in a vegetative state the last couple years. To know him was a privilege. He transcended being a boxer, or being gay or straight. He lived life with the fullest joy. He passed that on to everyone he knew and not many have that as a legacy.

"Emile never felt like he was different; he lived his life openly. He'd go to a gay bar and he wouldn't go into a side entrance; he'd go in the front door. He never flaunted it but it was natural to him to lead his life the way he wanted to."

Brophy said Griffith brought joy to the Hall in Canastota, N.Y., when he visited.

"He was a wonderful boxer and a gentleman outside the ring," Brophy said. "He surely will be missed. He made many visits to the Hall since being inducted in 1990. He was a fun-filled person and the flags here are being lowered now."

 

[blackrican23]

damn RIP , shame he couldn't have been open about his life like they are now