Emile Griffith

Emile Alphonse Griffith (February 3, 1938 – July 23, 2013) was an American professional boxer who won world titles in three weight divisions. He held the world light middleweight, undisputed welterweight, and middleweight titles. His best-known contest was a 1962 title match with Benny Paret. Griffith won the bout by knockout; Paret never recovered consciousness and died in the hospital 10 days later.

In 1963 and 1964, Griffith was voted Fighter of the Year by The Ring magazine and the Boxing Writers Association of America. In 2002, he was listed #33 on Ring Magazine's list of 80 greatest fighters of the past 80 years. Griffith currently ranks #127 in BoxRec's ranking of the greatest pound for pound boxers of all time. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 1990.

Amateur
Griffith was born on February 3, 1938. As a teen he was working at a hat factory on a steamy day when his boss, the factory owner, agreed to Griffith's request to work shirtless. When the owner, a former amateur boxer, noticed his frame, he took Griffith to trainer Gil Clancy's gym.

Griffith won the 1958 New York Golden Gloves 147 lb Open Championship, defeating Osvaldo Marcano of the Police Athletic Leagues Lynch Center in the final. In 1957 Griffith advanced to the finals of the 147-lb Sub-Novice division and was defeated by Charles Wormley of the Salem Crescent Athletic Club. Griffith trained at the West 28th Street Parks Department Gym in New York City.

Professional
Griffith turned professional in 1958 and fought frequently in New York City. He captured the Welterweight title from Cuban Benny "The Kid" Paret by knocking him out in the 13th round on April 1, 1961. Six months later, Griffith lost the title to Paret in a narrow split decision. Griffith regained the title from Paret on March 24, 1962, in the controversial bout after which Paret died (see below).

Griffith waged a classic four-fight series with Luis Rodríguez, losing their second fight and winning the other three. He defeated middleweight contender Holley Mims but was knocked out in one round by Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. Three years later, on April 25, 1966, he faced middleweight champion Dick Tiger and won a 15-round unanimous decision and the middleweight title. He also lost, regained and then lost the middleweight crown in three classic fights with Nino Benvenuti.

But many boxing fans believed he was never quite the same fighter after Paret's death. From the Paret bout to his retirement in 1977, Griffith fought 80 bouts but only scored twelve knockouts. He later admitted to being gentler with his opponents and relying on his superior boxing skills because he was terrified of killing someone else in the ring. Many thought that Griffith fought past his prime, only winning nine of his last twenty three fights. Other boxers whom he fought in his career included world champions American Denny Moyer, Cuban Luis Rodríguez, Argentine Carlos Monzón, Cuban José Nápoles, and in his last title try, German Eckhard Dagge. After 18 years as a professional boxer, Griffith retired with a record of 85 wins (25 by knockout), 24 losses and 2 draws.

Benny Paret
Griffith and Paret's third fight, which was nationally televised by ABC, occurred on March 24, 1962, at Madison Square Garden. Griffith had been incensed by an anti-gay slur directed at him by Paret during the weigh-in. Paret touched Griffith's buttocks and whispered into his opponent's ear "maricón, maricón", Spanish slang for "faggot". Griffith had worked in a women's hat factory and at the time designed hats. Griffith had to be restrained from attacking Paret on the spot. The media at the time either ignored the slur or used euphemisms such as "anti-man". Griffith's girlfriend asked him about the incident, saying, "I didn't know about you being that way."

In the sixth round Paret came close to stopping Griffith with a multi-punch combination, but Griffith was saved by the bell. After the sixth round Griffith's trainer, Gil Clancy, later said he told him, "When you go inside I want you to keep punching until Paret holds you or the referee breaks you! But you keep punching until he does that!".

Griffith told a television interviewer: "I'm very proud to be the welterweight champion again. I hope Paret is feeling very good." When the seriousness of the situation become known, Griffith went to the hospital where Paret was being treated and unsuccessfully attempted for several hours to gain entry to Paret's room. Following that, he ran through the streets while being insulted by passersby. He would later receive hate mail from Paret supporters who were convinced Griffith intentionally killed Paret.

New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller created a seven-man commission to investigate the incident and the sport. Griffith reportedly felt guilt over Paret's death and suffered nightmares about Paret for 40 years.

The fight, and the widespread publicity and criticism of boxing which accompanied it, became the basis of the 2005 documentary Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story.

Trainer
Griffith trained other boxers, including Wilfred Benítez and Juan Laporte of Puerto Rico. Both won world championships. Griffith, Monzon, Benvenuti, Rodriguez, Tiger, Nápoles and Benítez are members of the International Boxing Hall of Fame. In 1979–80, he was in Denmark serving as the coach of the Danish Olympic boxing team.

Personal life
In 1971, two months after they met, Griffith married another Virgin Islander Mercedes "Sadie" Donastorg, who was then a member of the dance troupe "Prince Rupert and the Slave Girls". Griffith adopted Donastorg's daughter, but the marriage only lasted a few months. After retiring from boxing, Griffith worked as a corrections officer at the Secaucus, New Jersey Juvenile Detention Facility.

In 1992, Griffith was viciously 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.

Griffith was bisexual. He was quoted in Sports Illustrated as saying "I like men and women both. But I don't like that word: homosexual, gay or faggot. I don't know what I am. I love men and women the same, but if you ask me which is better ... I like women."

Death
A long-time resident of Weehawken, New Jersey, Griffith died July 23, 2013, at a care facility in Hempstead, New York. In his final years, he suffered from dementia pugilistica and required full-time care. His adopted son, Luis Rodrigo Griffith, was his primary caregiver. He was buried in St. Michael's Cemetery, Queens, New York City.

Media representations

 * In January 2005, filmmakers Dan Klores and Ron Berger premiered their documentary Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah. It was broadcast on television on USA Network.
 * Griffith's December 20, 1963 bout with Rubin Carter (which Griffith lost) is depicted in the opening scene of the 1999 motion picture The Hurricane. Griffith is portrayed by former boxer Terry Claybon, while actor Denzel Washington stars as Carter.
 * In May 2012 it was announced that trumpeter Terence Blanchard and playwright Michael Cristofer were working on the opera Champion, based on Griffith's story. It premiered at Opera Theatre of St. Louis on June 15, 2013.
 * Irish director Lenny Abrahamson is working on a biopic focusing on Griffith's rivalry with Paret, originally intended to be released in 2019 but subsequently delayed.
 * A stage play based on Griffith's story, titled Brown Girl in the Ring, premiered on September 26, 2016, in Chicago. It was commissioned and produced by the Court Theatre.
 * A stage play based on Griffith's story, titled Man in the Ring, premiered on November 16, 2018, at the Huntington Theater in Boston.

Professional boxing record
{|class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" !No. !Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes
 * 112
 * Loss
 * 85–24–2 (1)
 * align=left| Alan Minter
 * PTS
 * 10
 * Jul 30, 1977
 * align=left|Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 111
 * Loss
 * 85–23–2 (1)
 * align=left| Mayfield Pennington
 * SD
 * 10
 * Jul 16, 1977
 * align=left|Commonwealth Convention Center, Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 110
 * Loss
 * 85–22–2 (1)
 * align=left| Joel Bonnetaz
 * PTS
 * 10
 * Apr 15, 1977
 * align=left|Périgueux, Dordogne, France
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 109
 * Win
 * 85–21–2 (1)
 * align=left| Christy Elliott
 * MD
 * 10
 * Feb 2, 1977
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 108
 * Win
 * 84–21–2 (1)
 * align=left| Frank Reiche
 * TKO
 * 10 (10)
 * Dec 4, 1976
 * align=left|Ernst Merck Halle, Hamburg, West Germany
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 107
 * Win
 * 83–21–2 (1)
 * align=left| Dino Del Cid
 * TKO
 * 4 (10)
 * Oct 24, 1976
 * align=left|Cartagena, Colombia
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 106
 * Loss
 * 82–21–2 (1)
 * align=left| Eckhard Dagge
 * MD
 * 15
 * Sep 18, 1976
 * align=left|Deutschlandhalle, Charlottenburg, Berlin, West Germany
 * align=left|For WBC light-middleweight title
 * - align=center
 * 105
 * Draw
 * 82–20–2 (1)
 * align=left| Bennie Briscoe
 * PTS
 * 10
 * Jun 26, 1976
 * align=left|Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 104
 * Loss
 * 82–20–1 (1)
 * align=left| Loucif Hamani
 * UD
 * 10
 * Feb 9, 1976
 * style="text-align:left;"| Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 103
 * Win
 * 82–19–1 (1)
 * align=left| Jose Roberto Chirino
 * UD
 * 10
 * Nov 7, 1975
 * align=left|Coliseum Theatre, Latham, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 102
 * Loss
 * 81–19–1 (1)
 * align=left| Elijah Makathini
 * PTS
 * 10
 * Aug 9, 1975
 * align=left|Orlando Stadium, Soweto, Transvaal, South Africa
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 101
 * Win
 * 81–18–1 (1)
 * align=left| Leo Saenz
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jul 23, 1975
 * style="text-align:left;"| Capitol Centre, Largo, Maryland, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 100
 * Loss
 * 80–18–1 (1)
 * align=left| Jose Luis Duran
 * UD
 * 10
 * May 31, 1974
 * align=left|Coliseo El Pueblo, Cali, Colombia
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 99
 * Win
 * 80–17–1 (1)
 * align=left| Donato Paduano
 * UD
 * 10
 * Dec 10, 1974
 * style="text-align:left;"| Forum, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 98
 * Loss
 * 79–17–1 (1)
 * align=left| Vito Antuofermo
 * UD
 * 10
 * Nov 22, 1974
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 97
 * Win
 * 79–16–1 (1)
 * align=left| Bennie Briscoe
 * MD
 * 10
 * Oct 9, 1974
 * style="text-align:left;"| The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 96
 * Win
 * 78–16–1 (1)
 * align=left| Renato Garcia
 * PTS
 * 10
 * May 25, 1974
 * align=left|Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 95
 * Loss
 * 77–16–1 (1)
 * align=left| Tony Licata
 * UD
 * 12
 * Feb 5, 1974
 * style="text-align:left;"| Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
 * align=left|For WBC–NABF middleweight title
 * - align=center
 * 94
 * Loss
 * 77–15–1 (1)
 * align=left| Tony Mundine
 * UD
 * 12
 * Nov 19, 1973
 * align=left|Palais des Sports Porte de Versailles, Paris XV, Paris, France
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 93
 * Win
 * 77–14–1 (1)
 * align=left| Manuel González
 * MD
 * 10
 * Nov 1, 1973
 * style="text-align:left;"| Curtis Hixon Hall, Tampa, Florida, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 92
 * Loss
 * 76–14–1 (1)
 * align=left| Carlos Monzón
 * UD
 * 15
 * Jun 2, 1973
 * align=left|Stade Louis II, Fontvieille, Monaco
 * align=left|For WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 91
 * Draw
 * 76–13–1 (1)
 * align=left| Nessim Max Cohen
 * PTS
 * 10
 * Mar 12, 1973
 * style="text-align:left;"| Palais des Sports, Paris, Paris, France
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 90
 * Loss
 * 76–13 (1)
 * align=left| Jean-Claude Bouttier
 * DQ
 * 7 (10)
 * Dec 18, 1972
 * style="text-align:left;"| Parc des Expositions, Paris, Paris, France
 * style="text-align:left;"|Griffith was disqualified for a low blow
 * - align=center
 * 89
 * Win
 * 76–12 (1)
 * align=left| Joe DeNucci
 * SD
 * 12
 * Oct 11, 1972
 * style="text-align:left;"| Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 88
 * Win
 * 75–12 (1)
 * align=left| Joe DeNucci
 * SD
 * 10
 * Sep 16, 1972
 * style="text-align:left;"| Hynes Auditorium, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 87
 * Win
 * 74–12 (1)
 * align=left| Ernie Lopez
 * UD
 * 10
 * Mar 30, 1972
 * style="text-align:left;"| Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 86
 * Win
 * 73–12 (1)
 * align=left| Jacques Kechichian
 * PTS
 * 10
 * Feb 21, 1972
 * style="text-align:left;"| Paris, Paris, France
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 85
 * Win
 * 72–12 (1)
 * align=left| Armando Muñíz
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jan 31, 1972
 * style="text-align:left;"| Convention Center, Anaheim, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 84
 * Win
 * 71–12 (1)
 * align=left| Danny McAloon
 * UD
 * 10
 * Dec 10, 1971
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 83
 * Loss
 * 70–12 (1)
 * align=left| Carlos Monzón
 * TKO
 * 14 (15), 2:32
 * Sep 25, 1971
 * style="text-align:left;"| Estadio Luna Park, Buenos Aires, Distrito Federal, Argentina
 * align=left|For WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 82
 * Win
 * 70–11 (1)
 * align=left| Nessim Max Cohen
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jul 26, 1971
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 81
 * Win
 * 69–11 (1)
 * align=left| Ernie Lopez
 * MD
 * 10
 * May 3, 1971
 * style="text-align:left;"| Nevada Sports Palace, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 80
 * Win
 * 68–11 (1)
 * align=left| Rafael Gutierrez
 * UD
 * 10
 * Mar 23, 1971
 * style="text-align:left;"| Civic Auditorium, San Francisco, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 79
 * Win
 * 67–11 (1)
 * align=left| Juan Ramos
 * TKO
 * 7 (10)
 * Mar 5, 1971
 * style="text-align:left;"| Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 78
 * Win
 * 66–11 (1)
 * align=left| Nate Collins
 * UD
 * 10
 * Nov 10, 1970
 * style="text-align:left;"| Cow Palace, Daly City, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 77
 * Win
 * 65–11 (1)
 * align=left| Danny Perez
 * UD
 * 12
 * Oct 17, 1970
 * style="text-align:left;"| Lionel Roberts Stadium, Charlotte Amalie, U.S. Virgin Islands
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 76
 * Win
 * 64–11 (1)
 * align=left| Dick Tiger
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jul 15, 1970
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 75
 * Win
 * 63–11 (1)
 * align=left| Tom Bogs
 * PTS
 * 10
 * Jun 4, 1970
 * style="text-align:left;"| Valby Idraetspark, Valby, Denmark
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 74
 * Win
 * 62–11 (1)
 * align=left| Carlos Marks
 * UD
 * 12
 * Mar 11, 1970
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 73
 * Win
 * 61–11 (1)
 * align=left| Doyle Baird
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jan 28, 1970
 * style="text-align:left;"| Cleveland Arena, Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 72
 * Loss
 * 60–11 (1)
 * align=left| José Nápoles
 * UD
 * 15
 * Oct 17, 1969
 * style="text-align:left;"| Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
 * align=left|For WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 71
 * Win
 * 60–10 (1)
 * align=left| Art Hernandez
 * SD
 * 10
 * Aug 15, 1969
 * style="text-align:left;"| Sioux Falls Arena, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 70
 * Win
 * 59–10 (1)
 * align=left| Dick DiVeronica
 * TKO
 * 7 (10), 1:28
 * Jul 11, 1969
 * style="text-align:left;"| War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 69
 * Win
 * 58–10 (1)
 * align=left| Stanley Hayward
 * UD
 * 12
 * May 12, 1969
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 68
 * Win
 * 57–10 (1)
 * align=left| Andy Heilman
 * UD
 * 10
 * Feb 3, 1969
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 67
 * Loss
 * 56–10 (1)
 * align=left| Stanley Hayward
 * SD
 * 10
 * Oct 29, 1968
 * style="text-align:left;"| The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 66
 * Win
 * 56–9 (1)
 * align=left| Gypsy Joe Harris
 * UD
 * 12
 * Aug 6, 1968
 * style="text-align:left;"| The Spectrum, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 65
 * Win
 * 55–9 (1)
 * align=left| Andy Heilman
 * MD
 * 12
 * Jun 11, 1968
 * style="text-align:left;"| Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 64
 * Loss
 * 54–9 (1)
 * align=left| Nino Benvenuti
 * UD
 * 15
 * Mar 4, 1968
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 63
 * Win
 * 54–8 (1)
 * align=left| Remo Golfarini
 * TKO
 * 6 (10)
 * Dec 15, 1967
 * style="text-align:left;"| Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma, Lazio, Italy
 * - align=center
 * 62
 * Win
 * 53–8 (1)
 * align=left| Nino Benvenuti
 * MD
 * 15
 * Sep 29, 1967
 * style="text-align:left;"| Shea Stadium, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 61
 * Loss
 * 52–8 (1)
 * align=left| Nino Benvenuti
 * UD
 * 15
 * Apr 17, 1967
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 60
 * Win
 * 52–7 (1)
 * align=left| Joey Archer
 * UD
 * 15
 * Jan 23, 1967
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 59
 * Win
 * 51–7 (1)
 * align=left| Joey Archer
 * MD
 * 15
 * Jul 13, 1966
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 58
 * Win
 * 50–7 (1)
 * align=left| Dick Tiger
 * UD
 * 15
 * Apr 25, 1966
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring middleweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 57
 * Win
 * 49–7 (1)
 * align=left| Johnny Brooks
 * UD
 * 10
 * Feb 3, 1966
 * style="text-align:left;"| Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 56
 * Win
 * 48–7 (1)
 * align=left| Manuel González
 * UD
 * 15
 * Dec 10, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 55
 * Win
 * 47–7 (1)
 * align=left| Harry Scott
 * RTD
 * 7 (10)
 * Oct 4, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, London, England, U.K.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 54
 * Win
 * 46–7 (1)
 * align=left| Gabe Terronez
 * TKO
 * 4 (10), 2:45
 * Sep 14, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Kearney Bowl, Fresno, California, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 53
 * Loss
 * 45–7 (1)
 * align=left| Don Fullmer
 * UD
 * 12
 * Aug 19, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Fairgrounds Coliseum, Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
 * style="text-align:left;"|For vacant WBA American middleweight title
 * - align=center
 * 52
 * Win
 * 45–6 (1)
 * align=left| Eddie Pace
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jun 14, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Hawaii International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 51
 * Win
 * 44–6 (1)
 * align=left| Jose Stable
 * UD
 * 15
 * Mar 30, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 50
 * Loss
 * 43–6 (1)
 * align=left| Manuel González
 * SD
 * 10
 * Jan 26, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Sam Houston Coliseum, Houston, Texas, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 49
 * Win
 * 43–5 (1)
 * align=left| Dave Charnley
 * TKO
 * 9 (10), 1:56
 * Dec 1, 1965
 * style="text-align:left;"| Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
 * - align=center
 * 48
 * Win
 * 42–5 (1)
 * align=left| Brian Curvis
 * UD
 * 15
 * Sep 22, 1964
 * style="text-align:left;"| Empire Pool, Wembley, London, England, U.K.
 * align=left|Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 47
 * Win
 * 41–5 (1)
 * align=left| Luis Manuel Rodríguez
 * SD
 * 15
 * Jun 12, 1964
 * style="text-align:left;"| Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 46
 * Win
 * 40–5 (1)
 * align=left| Stan Harrington
 * KO
 * 4 (10), 1:40
 * Apr 14, 1964
 * style="text-align:left;"| Hawaii International Center, Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
 * - align=center
 * 45
 * style="background: #DDD"|NC
 * 39–5 (1)
 * align=left| Juan Carlo Duran
 * NC
 * 7 (10)
 * Mar 11, 1964
 * style="text-align:left;"| Palazzetto dello Sport, Roma, Lazio, Italy
 * style="text-align:left;"|The bout was halted when fans began throwing bottles and oranges in to the ring, because they wanted more action
 * - align=center
 * 44
 * Win
 * 39–5
 * align=left| Ralph Dupas
 * KO
 * 3 (12)
 * Feb 10, 1964
 * style="text-align:left;"| Sydney Stadium, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 43
 * Loss
 * 38–5
 * align=left| Rubin Carter
 * TKO
 * 1 (10), 2:13
 * Dec 20, 1963
 * style="text-align:left;"| Civic Arena, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 42
 * Win
 * 38–4
 * align=left| Jose Monon Gonzalez
 * MD
 * 10
 * Oct 5, 1963
 * style="text-align:left;"| Hiram Bithorn Stadium, San Juan, Puerto Rico
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 41
 * Win
 * 37–4
 * align=left| Holly Mims
 * UD
 * 10
 * Aug 10, 1963
 * style="text-align:left;"| Convention Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 40
 * Win
 * 36–4
 * align=left| Luis Manuel Rodríguez
 * SD
 * 15
 * Jun 8, 1963
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Won WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 39
 * Loss
 * 35–4
 * align=left| Luis Manuel Rodríguez
 * UD
 * 15
 * Mar 21, 1963
 * style="text-align:left;"| Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
 * align=left|Lost WBA, WBC, NYSAC, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 38
 * Win
 * 35–3
 * align=left| Christian Christensen
 * TKO
 * 9 (15)
 * Feb 3, 1963
 * style="text-align:left;"| Forum, Copenhagen, Denmark
 * align=left|Retained world light-middleweight title; Recognized by the Austrian Boxing Board of Control
 * - align=center
 * 37
 * Win
 * 34–3
 * align=left| Jorge Fernandez
 * TKO
 * 9 (15)
 * Dec 8, 1962
 * style="text-align:left;"| Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained NYSAC, WBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 36
 * Win
 * 33–3
 * align=left| Ted Wright
 * PTS
 * 15
 * Oct 17, 1962
 * style="text-align:left;"| Stadthalle, Vienna, Austria
 * align=left|Won inaugural world light-middleweight title; Recognized by the Austrian Boxing Board of Control, but by no other agencies
 * - align=center
 * 35
 * Win
 * 32–3
 * align=left| Don Fullmer
 * UD
 * 10
 * Oct 6, 1962
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 34
 * Win
 * 31–3
 * align=left| Denny Moyer
 * SD
 * 10
 * Aug 18, 1962
 * style="text-align:left;"| Sports Arena, Tacoma, Washington, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 33
 * Win
 * 30–3
 * align=left| Ralph Dupas
 * UD
 * 15
 * Jul 13, 1962
 * style="text-align:left;"| Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 32
 * Win
 * 29–3
 * align=left| Benny Paret
 * TKO
 * 12 (15), 2:09
 * Mar 24, 1962
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles; Paret died on Apr 3, 1962, from injuries sustained in the fight
 * - align=center
 * 31
 * Win
 * 28–3
 * align=left| Johnny Torres
 * UD
 * 10
 * Feb 3, 1962
 * style="text-align:left;"| Lionel Roberts Stadium, Saint Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 30
 * Win
 * 27–3
 * align=left| Isaac Logart
 * MD
 * 10
 * Dec 23, 1961
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 29
 * Win
 * 26–3
 * align=left| Stanford Bulla
 * KO
 * 4 (10), 2:35
 * Nov 4, 1961
 * style="text-align:left;"| Hamilton, Bermuda
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 28
 * Loss
 * 25–3
 * align=left| Benny Paret
 * SD
 * 15
 * Sep 30, 1961
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|Lost NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 27
 * Win
 * 25–2
 * align=left| Yama Bahama
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jul 29, 1961
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 26
 * Win
 * 24–2
 * align=left| Gaspar Ortega
 * TKO
 * 12 (15), 0:48
 * Jun 3, 1961
 * style="text-align:left;"| Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
 * align=left|Retained NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 25
 * Win
 * 23–2
 * align=left| Benny Paret
 * KO
 * 13 (15), 1:11
 * Apr 1, 1961
 * style="text-align:left;"| Miami Beach Convention Hall, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
 * align=left|Won NYSAC, NBA, and The Ring welterweight titles
 * - align=center
 * 24
 * Win
 * 22–2
 * align=left| Luis Manuel Rodríguez
 * SD
 * 10
 * Dec 17, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 23
 * Win
 * 21–2
 * align=left| Willie Toweel
 * TKO
 * 8 (10), 3:00
 * Oct 22, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 22
 * Win
 * 20–2
 * align=left| Florentino Fernández
 * UD
 * 10
 * Aug 25, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 21
 * Win
 * 19–2
 * align=left| Jorge Fernandez
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jul 25, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 20
 * Win
 * 18–2
 * align=left| Jorge Fernandez
 * SD
 * 10
 * Jun 3, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 19
 * Loss
 * 17–2
 * align=left| Denny Moyer
 * SD
 * 10
 * Apr 26, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Pacific Livestock Pavilion, Portland, Oregon, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 18
 * Win
 * 17–1
 * align=left| Denny Moyer
 * SD
 * 10
 * Mar 11, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 17
 * Win
 * 16–1
 * align=left| Gaspar Ortega
 * SD
 * 10
 * Feb 12, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 16
 * Win
 * 15–1
 * align=left| Roberto Peña
 * UD
 * 10
 * Jan 8, 1960
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 15
 * Win
 * 14–1
 * align=left| Ray Lancaster
 * TKO
 * 7 (10), 1:44
 * Nov 23, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * 14
 * Loss
 * 13–1
 * align=left| Randy Sandy
 * SD
 * 10
 * Oct 26, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| Academy of Music, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 13
 * Win
 * 13–0
 * align=left| Kid Fichique
 * UD
 * 10
 * Aug 7, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 12
 * Win
 * 12–0
 * align=left| Willie Stevenson
 * UD
 * 10
 * May 25, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 11
 * Win
 * 11–0
 * align=left| Mel Barker
 * UD
 * 10
 * Apr 27, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 10
 * Win
 * 10–0
 * align=left| Bobby Shell
 * UD
 * 10
 * Mar 23, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 9
 * Win
 * 9–0
 * align=left| Barry Allison
 * TKO
 * 5 (10), 2:44
 * Feb 23, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 8
 * Win
 * 8–0
 * align=left| Willie Joe Johnson
 * TKO
 * 5 (6), 1:52
 * Feb 9, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 7
 * Win
 * 7–0
 * align=left| Gaylord Barnes
 * TKO
 * 5 (6), 1:46
 * Jan 26, 1959
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 6
 * Win
 * 6–0
 * align=left| Larry Jones
 * KO
 * 5 (6), 2:17
 * Dec 15, 1958
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 5
 * Win
 * 5–0
 * align=left| Sergio Rios
 * KO
 * 3 (6), 1:01
 * Nov 17, 1958
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 4
 * Win
 * 4–0
 * align=left| Artie Cunningham
 * PTS
 * 6
 * Oct 6, 1958
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 3
 * Win
 * 3–0
 * align=left| Tommy Leaks
 * PTS
 * 4
 * Jul 21, 1958
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 2
 * Win
 * 2–0
 * align=left| Bruce Gibson
 * PTS
 * 4
 * Jun 23, 1958
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * - align=center
 * 1
 * Win
 * 1–0
 * align=left| Joe Parham
 * PTS
 * 4
 * Jun 2, 1958
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|
 * PTS
 * 4
 * Jun 2, 1958
 * style="text-align:left;"| St. Nicholas Arena, New York City, New York, U.S.
 * align=left|

Honors

 * Named The Ring Fighter of the Year for 1964.
 * A park has been named in Griffith's honor in his native US Virgin Islands.

Recording artist
Emile Griffiths had a brief career as a recording artist between 1966 and 1969. He recorded two 45s released on the Columbia Records and 'Going, Going Gone', a moderately successful record for Ray Charles' Tangerine label.