Young Griffo

Young Griffo
Statistics
Real name Albert Griffiths
Nickname(s) Australian Will O' The Wisp
Rated at featherweight
Height 5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Reach 68 in (173 cm)
Nationality  Australia
Born (1871-01-01)1 January 1871
Millers Point, Sydney
Died 10 December 1927(1927-12-10) (aged 56)
New York, New York
Boxing record
Total fights 306
Wins 105
Wins by KO 33
Losses 12
Draws 73
No contests 39

Albert Griffiths (1 January 1871 in Millers Point, Sydney, Australia 10 December 1927), better known as Young Griffo, was a world featherweight boxing champion. The Ring founder Nat Fleischer rated Griffo as the No. 8 featherweight of all-time.[1] He was inducted into the Ring Magazine Hall of Fame in 1954, the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1991, and the Australian National Boxing Hall of Fame in 2003.[1]

Professional career

Griffo turned pro in 1886 and fought primarily in his home land of Australia. He held the Australian featherweight title for many years, and in 1890 challenged Torpedo Billy Murphy for the World Featherweight Title and won in the 15th round after Murphy retired. He defended the title four times before vacating it to fight at a higher weight. His last bout was in 1904.

In a tribute to Griffo, Tommy Sullivan wrote in the 6 March 1916 Tacoma Daily News:

Not known as much of a puncher, but his skill was uncanny. He had wonderful headwork, almost inpenetrable defense, dazzling feints, and rapid two-handed methods of attack. The cleverest boxers and hardest punchers were made to look ridiculous when exchanging swats with him. He had a dislike of training and was deemed lazy. There were times he got drunk before a match [such as the Ike Weir and Tommy Tracy bouts].[1]

Film

He appeared as himself in the 1895 lost short Young Griffo vs. Battling Charles Barnett, which at least one source claims is the first film shown for profit.[2]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Cyber Boxing Encyclopedia - Young Griffo CyberBoxingZone.com
  2. "Young Griffo vs. Battling Charles Barnett". silentera.com. Retrieved 11 March 2013.

External links

Achievements
Preceded by
Torpedo Billy Murphy
World Featherweight Champion
2 September 1890 1892
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
George Dixon


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