Emile Griffith, the former world champion whose career was overshadowed by the fatal beating he gave Bennie Paret in a 1962 title bout, died Tuesday. He was 75. He died at an extended care facility in Hempstead, N.Y, the International Boxing Hall of Fame said. Griffith struggled with pugilistic dementia and required full-time care late in life. He was the first boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands to become world champion and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990. Hall of Fame director Ed 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." Source: ESPN New York
Great fighter & man. RIP Interesting story of the fight that changed the boxing landscape at the time: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbKSqHRIQ4k]THE TRAGEDY OF BENNY PARET AND EMILE GRIFFITH - YouTube[/ame]
For those curious like I was, here's the round where he kills him. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CwK-8V5nnU
