A Man’s World – A Brilliant Biography

Fans of sports writing will be well aware of the excellent and Sports Award Winner, Donald McRae, who researches and writes some of the best, books in sport. McRae in particular is an excellent writer where boxing is concerned and never afraid to tackle issues head on, and once again in A Man’s World McRae does this majestically.

A Man’s World is an excellent examination of the double life of Boxing World Champion, Emile Griffith, a champion at both Welterweight and Middleweights. He won more fights than Ali, but is only remembered for one fight in particular, his third encounter with the Cuban Benny Paret, who died ten days after being beaten by Griffith.

Emile was unusual for a boxer he liked ladies fashion, and enjoyed making ladies hats, far more than he enjoyed boxing. Boxing and society in the 1960s was virulently macho, male and heterosexual, vicious and dangerous. Not fitting in to one of the stereotypes was not accepted, being gay at the time was unheard of, and those that were, were mocked and avoided.

Emile Griffith’s personal life is interesting in that it was ultimately very complex; he had to lead a double life, his complex attitudes and ultimately his sexuality. It must be remembered that he came to boxing late and was found by his employer while Griffith was employed making ladies hats. It was noticed that he had the frame of a boxer and was taken to Gil Clancy’s gym; the rest as they say is history.

Gil Clancy took Griffith from hat maker to an all out World Boxing Champion; he would take on all comers and win in the main. McRae examines the double life, the sexuality and private life, with delicacy but does not hold back on what is written. McRae deals with all the issues with respect, compassion and the dignity Griffith was denied when boxing.

When Griffith went to the weigh-in on the morning of the fight, seven months after he lost his title to Paret, he was taunted by Paret. Paret paid Griffith the ultimate insult at the weigh-in when he called him a “faggot” such taunts did not bode well. Boxing insiders of the time already knew that there was something different about Griffith; it was an open secret that he was gay. This at a time when homosexuality was referred to as a disease, and active gay men could expect to be jailed if they were caught having sex.

That night the bout went to round twelve was the beginning of the end for Paret, but this had been a brutal fight, as all Griffith’s anger came to the fore during the earlier rounds. He hit Paret in the twelfth round with two right hands that were brutal and it was the end of Paret who was rocking on his feet. Ten days later Paret was dead, Griffith was the world champion.

McRae deals with all this with the compassion required and with respect as neither Griffith or Paret are no longer with us. One of the most haunting things he brings up is a quote from Griffith which is also used on the cover of the book; “I kill am man and most people forgive me. I love a man and many say this makes me an evil person.”

This is one of the most engrossing, compassionate reads about boxing and McRae deals with the dignity and respect that is required. This is one of the best biographies in recent years of a boxer, especially so when you read about the complexity of Griffith’s life. ( )