Best fights of Emile Griffith
Over 19 years as a professional, Emile Griffith compiled a 85-24-2 (22) record, including 26 title fights across three weight classes. Here are his top 10 best fights.
1. Emile Griffith defeats Nino Benvenuti in their 2nd fight
On September 29, 1967 Emile Griffith fought Nino Benvenuti for the undisputed middleweight title. It was their second meeting. Griffith was 29 years old with a record of 52-8, and Benvenuti was 29 with a record of 72-1. Griffith was coming off a loss, while Benvenuti was on a 7-fight winning streak. Griffith won via majority decision. Crowned the undisputed middleweight champion.
2. Emile Griffith defeats Dick Tiger
On April 25, 1966 Emile Griffith fought Dick Tiger for the undisputed middleweight title. Griffith was 28 years old with a record of 49-7, and Tiger was 36 with a record of 53-16-3. Both Griffith and Tiger were on a 4-fight winning streak. Griffith won via unanimous decision. Crowned the undisputed middleweight champion.
3. Emile Griffith loses to Nino Benvenuti in their 3rd fight via unanimous decision
On March 4, 1968 Emile Griffith defended the undisputed middleweight title against Nino Benvenuti. It was their third meeting. Griffith was 30 years old with a record of 54-8, and Benvenuti was 29 with a record of 73-2. Griffith was on a 2-fight winning streak and Benvenuti was coming off a win. Griffith lost via unanimous decision. Lost the undisputed title. Went the distance with Benvenuti.
4. Emile Griffith loses to Carlos Monzón in their 2nd fight via unanimous decision
On June 2, 1973 Emile Griffith fought Carlos Monzón for the undisputed middleweight title. It was their second meeting. Griffith was 35 years old with a record of 76-13-1, and Monzón was 30 with a record of 79-3-9. Monzón was on a 23-fight winning streak. Griffith lost via unanimous decision. Failed to capture the title. Went the distance with Monzón.
5. Emile Griffith loses to Nino Benvenuti via unanimous decision
On April 17, 1967 Emile Griffith defended the undisputed middleweight title against Nino Benvenuti. Griffith was 29 years old with a record of 52-7, and Benvenuti was 28 with a record of 71-1. Griffith was on a 7-fight winning streak and Benvenuti was on a 6-fight winning streak. Griffith lost via unanimous decision. Lost the undisputed title. Went the distance with Benvenuti.
6. Emile Griffith loses to José Nápoles via unanimous decision
On October 17, 1969 Emile Griffith fought José Nápoles for the undisputed welterweight title. Griffith was 31 years old with a record of 60-10, and Nápoles was 29 with a record of 61-4. Griffith was on a 4-fight winning streak and Nápoles was on a 16-fight winning streak. Griffith lost via unanimous decision. Failed to capture the title. Went the distance with Nápoles.
7. Emile Griffith loses to Denny Moyer in their 2nd fight via split decision
On April 26, 1960 Emile Griffith faced Denny Moyer. It was their second meeting. Griffith was 22 years old with a record of 17-1, and Moyer was 20 with a record of 24-2. Griffith was on a 4-fight winning streak, while Moyer was coming off a loss. Griffith lost via split decision. Went the distance with Moyer.
8. Emile Griffith KOs Benny Paret
On April 1, 1961 Emile Griffith fought Benny Paret for the NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles. Griffith was 23 years old with a record of 22-2, and Paret was 24 with a record of 34-9-3. Griffith was on a 5-fight winning streak, while Paret was coming off a loss. Griffith stopped Benny Paret via KO in the 13th round. Crowned the new welterweight champion.
9. Emile Griffith loses to Vito Antuofermo via unanimous decision
On November 22, 1974 Emile Griffith faced Vito Antuofermo. Griffith was 36 years old with a record of 79-16-1, and Antuofermo was 21 with a record of 26-1-1. Griffith was on a 2-fight winning streak and Antuofermo was on a 9-fight winning streak. Griffith lost via unanimous decision. Went the distance with Antuofermo.
10. Emile Griffith loses to Benny Paret in their 2nd fight via split decision
On September 30, 1961 Emile Griffith defended his NBA, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles against Benny Paret. It was their second meeting. Griffith was 23 years old with a record of 25-2, and Paret was 24 with a record of 34-10-3. Griffith was on a 8-fight winning streak, while Paret was on a 2-fight losing streak. Griffith lost via split decision. Lost the titles. Went the distance with Paret.