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Read this at Max boxing, this guy is rated by the writer Australia's best ever, remind ya of Toney?
1. Young Griffo (Year 1886 - 1911, 63-9-37, with 110 ND's) - Don't let the draws and No Decisions fool you, those were required by law, and if forced to make a choice, the vast majority would have easily fallen into the win category for Griffo. Legend tells of Young Griffo walking into a smoke filled bar unfolding a white handkerchief on the ground, then daring patrons to take a swing at him as he stood flatfooted upon the handkerchief. "Whoever knocks me off this, I buys a drink for. Whoever don't buys one for me." Griffo was amazing, and the men foolish enough to act on the challenge rarely touched him. This act was a stark testament to Griffo's greatness, as well as his downfall. For Griffo was a defensive boxing genius, and a raving alcoholic. Griffo was insanely gifted, but never took himself, or boxing, seriously. He never trained for fights, only sparring when the press or a woman asked it of him. As it is with many who have a great talent, it does not always ensure great restraint in other areas of life. Ringside reports, and many more ringside rumors, tell of a drunk or hungover Griffo besting men at their physical peaks. Remarkably, for a man who showed such control in the ring, he could not control himself out of the ring. Boxing historian Bob Mee rightly described Griffo as, "A flawed genius, who rarely trained, yet was virtually impossible to hit." It is hard to imagine how good Griffo would have been had he ever trained seriously, or dedicated himself fully to the sport.
1. Young Griffo (Year 1886 - 1911, 63-9-37, with 110 ND's) - Don't let the draws and No Decisions fool you, those were required by law, and if forced to make a choice, the vast majority would have easily fallen into the win category for Griffo. Legend tells of Young Griffo walking into a smoke filled bar unfolding a white handkerchief on the ground, then daring patrons to take a swing at him as he stood flatfooted upon the handkerchief. "Whoever knocks me off this, I buys a drink for. Whoever don't buys one for me." Griffo was amazing, and the men foolish enough to act on the challenge rarely touched him. This act was a stark testament to Griffo's greatness, as well as his downfall. For Griffo was a defensive boxing genius, and a raving alcoholic. Griffo was insanely gifted, but never took himself, or boxing, seriously. He never trained for fights, only sparring when the press or a woman asked it of him. As it is with many who have a great talent, it does not always ensure great restraint in other areas of life. Ringside reports, and many more ringside rumors, tell of a drunk or hungover Griffo besting men at their physical peaks. Remarkably, for a man who showed such control in the ring, he could not control himself out of the ring. Boxing historian Bob Mee rightly described Griffo as, "A flawed genius, who rarely trained, yet was virtually impossible to hit." It is hard to imagine how good Griffo would have been had he ever trained seriously, or dedicated himself fully to the sport.
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