Emile Griffith
Emile Alphonse Griffith (February 3, 1938 – July 23, 2013) was an American boxer. He was the first person from the U.S. Virgin Islands ever to become a world champion in boxing.[1]
Griffith later won the world middleweight title and claimed an early version of the junior middleweight world championship, a claim that has not been universally recognized although some consider Griffith a three-division champion fighter.
Early life
Griffith was born on February 3, 1938 in Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.[2] He was raised in New York City.
Personal life
In 1971, two months after they met, Griffith married Mercedes (Sadie) Donastrog, who was then a member of the dance troupe "Prince Rupert and the Slave Girls." Griffith adopted Donastorg's daughter.[2] Griffith said he was attracted to men and women.
Attack
In 1992, he was beaten and almost killed on a New York City street, after leaving a gay bar near the Port Authority Bus Terminal. He was in the hospital for four months after the assault. It was not clear if the violence was motivated by homophobia.[3]
Death
Griffith died on July 23, 2013 from complications of dementia in a hospital in Hempstead, New York, aged 75.[1]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Former boxing champion Emile Griffith dies at 75". Fox News. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 The Shadow Boxer Sports Illustrated April 18, 2005
- ↑ Emile Griffith Benny Paret and the Fatal Fight at New York Times.com
Other websites
- Ring Memorabilia
- 'Ring of Fire' Connects With True Story of A Fatal Blow Washington Post article April 20, 2005