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In boxing, a fighter becomes a champion or top
contender by doing the subtle things right. They'll feint
to set up a big punch, or use a slight movement of the head
to avoid an incoming bomb. But sometimes those little things
go unappreciated by those who don't know the game.
Former light heavyweight champion and current top contender
Montell Griffin specializes in the little things. Having learned
his craft under the tutelage of the legendary Eddie Futch
and now Thel Torrance, Griffin is one of the sport's gems,
a slick boxer who can baffle you with footwork, frustrate
you with defense, or knock you out with a stiff combination.
And in 2003, Griffin is poised to take his place on top of
the light heavyweight division once again.
Born in Chicago on June 6, 1970, Griffin was bit with the
boxing bug later than most, and in contrast to many amateur
stars, he didn't have hundreds of fights under his belt. But
showing his class in the ring from early on, and with only
two years of amateur experience, Griffin earned a spot on
the 1992 Olympic team. Among his amateur wins are victories
over WBA heavyweight champion John Ruiz and current contender
Jeremy Williams, who he defeated to earn his spot on the Olympic
squad. Griffin lost in the third round of the Barcelona games
to Torsten May, but his strong showing ensured that he would
be soon throwing his hat into the professional boxing ring.
Griffin turned pro in February of 1993 with a second round
TKO of Luis Ornelas. Plying his trade in relative obscurity
like many up and comers, Griffin came on to the world scene
in a big way in February of
1995 when he stunned boxing observers with a 12 round decision
win over former world champion James Toney. Griffin, who was
only 14-0 at the time, had arrived.
Griffin, now on the boxing media's radar, went on a tear,
scoring ten consecutive victories, all by knockout, before
facing Toney again in December of 1996. Proving the first
fight was no fluke, Griffin scored another close decision
over Toney, and was rewarded with a shot at a man seen as
unbeatable, light heavyweight champion Roy Jones Jr.
On March 21, 1997, Griffin surprised the world once again
by controlling the bout with Jones and frustrating the Pensacola
native into uncharacteristic mistakes, one that cost Jones
the fight. In the ninth round and with the fight up for grabs,
Jones caught Griffin with a shot, and "Ice" wisely
took a knee to gather himself. While on the canvas, Jones
hit Griffin twice, and Montell was rightfully awarded the
title via disqualification.
In the hastily arranged rematch five months later, Jones
caught Griffin cold early in the first round, and regained
his title via knockout. But Griffin brushed himself off and
got back into the ring three months later with a decision
victory over Vinson Durham.
Six wins followed before a highly questionable decision loss
to Eric Harding in November of 1998, and a 1999 loss to WBO
champion Dariusz Michalczewski set Griffin's title timetable
back.
Griffin only fought once in 2000 (a 12 round decision win
over Jose Luis Rivera), and twice in 2001 (both stoppage wins),
but in 2002, with Goossen Tutor Promotions now guiding his
career, "Ice" returned
with a vengeance, stopping George Klinesmith in a single round
and decisioning highly ranked contenders Derrick Harmon and
George Khalid
Jones.
These wins earned him a shot at the title vacated by the
man he beat for his first light heavyweight crown, Roy Jones
Jr., and with a win over Antonio Tarver in 2003, Montell Griffin
hopes to settle matters with
Jones in a rubber match for all the light heavyweight marbles.
And then everyone will know who Montell Griffin is. |
