(You may have seen the documentary of Emile's life "Ring of Fire")
This is an interview with Emile Griffith former welterweight and middleweight champ who had 112 prize fights with 85 wins, 24 losses, 2 draws. He fought everyone from Dick Tiger, Vito Antuofermo, Carlos Monzon, Nino Benvenuti, and of course the tragic trilogy with Benny Paret. If you don't know who he was as a fighter or as a man, you should read this and listen to the interview with the author Ron Ross who wrote the new book Nine...Ten....and Out! The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith. Emile is a complex man that was born on St. Thomas and his life is filled with glory, sadness, and honor. Since the interview I have read the book and it is a great read and I recommend it not only to people who like boxing but to everyone who likes to read period.
The interview was with Emile Griffith and Luis Rodrigo Griffith his adopted son who now takes care of the champ.
Nick: Whats up Luis and Emile
Emile: Hello Nick, my name is Emile Griffith former world champion welterweight, Jr. middleweight and middleweight champion.
Nick: Tell us about the nick name the champ, how did you get that?
Luis: A photographer took a picture of Emile while he was taking a shower in the locker room and Emile had the name champ wrote across his chest in soap suds and he has been called champ ever since. It is on the back page of his book if you haven't seen the photo.
Nick: That was unique
Luis: It sure was
Nick You want to tell us a little about the book and what we can expect?
Luis: Sure, of course. Its basically the story of Emile's life inside and outside the ring. The book mentions about the rubber match with Benny "Kid" Paret and speaks about how it Benny Paret insulted him by calling him a maricon or in English a faggot, its much more than that. Its a book about a trilogy, a lot of feelings, emotion caring such a heavy burden all through his life with Benny's death. The good times and the bad times all wrapped up in there. His private life, going to gay bars entering through the front door not the back door with out feeling afraid, he was very bold. He went in the front door and came out the front door, during the 60's in the height of homophobia there was no parades back then. The Stonewall riots happened in the village, Emile used to go to the Stonewall Club and it was a good thing he wasn't there during that time because he would have probably beat up by a few police.
Nick: Who was the toughest opponent?
Emile: They were all good fighters and were all tough to me. Dick Tiger.
Nick: I thought that name would come up.
Luis: Carlos Monzon
Nick: He fought 112 times do you think fighters don't fight enough?
Emile: The managers and trainers don't push em and they do what they have to do.
Luis: you fought every one Emile they don't do that today.
Nick: Do you guys still watch boxing?
Luis: we still watch boxing, we saw the Mayweather, Marquez he is a skillful fighter but he doesn't take that many risks and should fight Shane Mosley.
Nick: What is the website and the name of the book?
Luis: www.ninetenandout.com and the book is Nine.....Ten...and..Out, The Two Worlds of Emile Griffith.
Nick: Thanks and I look forward to reading the book.
The Audio from the Interview with the book's author Ron Ross is below:
Ron Ross Interview by dumb-out
4 comments:
Could not find a suitable section so I written here, how to become a moderator for your forum, that need for this?
Ron Ross is a hypocrite. He says Emile's personal business is nobodys business but puts out a book about his homosexual activity
What a phony !
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