K.O.W. - A Hurricane Indeed
For the first K.O.W. of a new year, it's imperative to come up with a doozy. And so we have, celebrating the high point in the career of a true No Mas All-Star, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter.
Going into his bout with Emile Griffith in December of 1963, the Hurricane's career was at a crossroads. After a big victory over George Benton, he'd lost a close decision to Joey Archer at the Garden and his status as a middleweight contender suffered from the defeat. In contrast, Emile Griffith was the world famous welterweight king who had now his eyes on moving up to take the middleweight belt from the 160 champ, Joey Giardello. Carter was a necessary but dangerous stepping stone to prove his legitimacy at the higher weight.
And ah, the best-laid plans of mice and men. As you'll see in the video below, before Griffith even got started, he was finished. To my eyes, it's a lightning-bolt left hook to the ribs that starts the KO train rolling, then a chopping right cross, and then the lunging left hook that sends Emile sprawling. Check Griffith out as he sways on his knees and then barely makes it to his feet before the ten-count. The fact that the ref allows him to continue should give today's fan a good idea of what the game was all about back then. Kill or be killed. Going in fists blazing, Hurricane then whips a few leaping haymakers at Griffith that, had they connected, undoubtedly would have sent him heavenward to join poor Benny Paret.
Only a few fighters in the history of the sport - Tyson and Liston come to mind - betrayed the air of such barely controlled rage in the ring as did Hurricane Carter in his prime (to get your own "Hurricane" t-shirt like the one above click here). The bald dome and moustache, the sculpted V of his torso relentlessly bobbing on spindly legs, and the compact style that suddenly erupted into breakneck rights and lefts thrown with the baddest of bad intentions - Rubin Carter boxing was the spitting image of human fury unleashed. This victory over Griffith shocked the boxing world and got Carter his only shot at the middleweight title, which he lost in a close decision to Giardello in 1964. After that, well, much has been written about what happened after that.
Going into his bout with Emile Griffith in December of 1963, the Hurricane's career was at a crossroads. After a big victory over George Benton, he'd lost a close decision to Joey Archer at the Garden and his status as a middleweight contender suffered from the defeat. In contrast, Emile Griffith was the world famous welterweight king who had now his eyes on moving up to take the middleweight belt from the 160 champ, Joey Giardello. Carter was a necessary but dangerous stepping stone to prove his legitimacy at the higher weight.
And ah, the best-laid plans of mice and men. As you'll see in the video below, before Griffith even got started, he was finished. To my eyes, it's a lightning-bolt left hook to the ribs that starts the KO train rolling, then a chopping right cross, and then the lunging left hook that sends Emile sprawling. Check Griffith out as he sways on his knees and then barely makes it to his feet before the ten-count. The fact that the ref allows him to continue should give today's fan a good idea of what the game was all about back then. Kill or be killed. Going in fists blazing, Hurricane then whips a few leaping haymakers at Griffith that, had they connected, undoubtedly would have sent him heavenward to join poor Benny Paret.
Only a few fighters in the history of the sport - Tyson and Liston come to mind - betrayed the air of such barely controlled rage in the ring as did Hurricane Carter in his prime (to get your own "Hurricane" t-shirt like the one above click here). The bald dome and moustache, the sculpted V of his torso relentlessly bobbing on spindly legs, and the compact style that suddenly erupted into breakneck rights and lefts thrown with the baddest of bad intentions - Rubin Carter boxing was the spitting image of human fury unleashed. This victory over Griffith shocked the boxing world and got Carter his only shot at the middleweight title, which he lost in a close decision to Giardello in 1964. After that, well, much has been written about what happened after that.
posted by Large at 11:30 AM
20 Comments:
Wow - Carter looks a full division bigger than Griffith even though their weights were only a few pounds apart (3 or 4) if I recall correctly. It looks like really only one right hand landed flush to the head - but that's all it took. The film is so grainy that if you didn't tell me who these guys were, I might have guessed this was one of the Liston-Patterson fights. It was about as competitive.
I spoke to Emile about this fight and he says he doesn't remember anything about after he got hit with the right hand. I'm surprised he even remembers that. I think you'll see Rubin's scowling face in the dictionary - right across from the definition of fierce.
Kurt my man, while you're here, could we do a little boxing biz interview for the No Masian audience? Phone or email, your choice. You got a lot of great knowledge to drop.
I'd be honored Large - I definitely sound much more intelligent through e-mail.
I don't know about you, but I think that Griffen should have been let go at least one more time. He was moving towards the Hurricane.
Large - are you and CI coming to the premiere of "Orthodox Stance" - the documentary on Dmitriy - at Lincoln Center tomorrow? It's part of the NY Jewish Film Festival. The film starts at 6 in the Walter Reade theater. It's definitely worth seeing.
If you and CI can't make it tonight, there is another showing at the festival on Jan. 24th at 8pm - D told me that Matisyahu and Oksana Baiul will be at that one (though not coming together - lol).
It opens in theaters on Jan. 26th at Cinema Village on e. 12th Street. Sorry if this sounds like an advert - but I thought you and CI would be interested.
Damn, I'm in the city on the 24th but I probably can't get out to that screening. I already missed the one in DC, am I shit out of luck?
What size gloves are they wearing?
Interesting placement of the t-shirt sales pitch.
Interesting also the time before instant replay, ay.
Unsilent - it starts at Cinema Village on e. 12th st. near 5th ave. on Jan. 26th. I don't know how long it will be there but it should be there for a few weeks.
id definitely check that movie out.
Interester, no doubt about the sales pitch - we trade heavily in the rage business up in this crib.
Unsizzo - good point about the gloves. Kurt, you have any insight on that? Them shits are pillow sized - they look like sparring gloves. Doesn't seem to affect their pop though. I just watched it for about the twelfth time today and MAN those kids were trading leather.
I don't mind the sales pitch to be honest. I have a few differnt shirts myself. I have never had to pay for the top writing that is produced here and I always wondered how the boys from NOMAS make it $$ wise. Did you see the movies they made on the Brooklyn fighter trying to make the olympics...I never seen them shill here either for some poker site...just like my site...pure baby. In any case, if you want to pop your merchandise by all means.
In the perfect timing department, JarryPark.com has a new interview up with Dmitriy Salita. Check it out old friends!
http://www.jarrypark.com/2008/01/10/dmitriy-salita-moves-on-to-bigger-and-better/
Looks like the link got chopped...anyhow, Jarrypark.com - that's all you need to know.
Rooster, I don't mind the sales pitch either. Was simply commenting on where it was placed, not that it was placed. I understand that bills needs be paid.
Interester - just so's you know, I got your comment on the pitch. It was a conscious decision, and dated back to when I was writing the hangtag for the Hurricane shirt. We definitely tend to celebrate the outlaws here at No Mas, and have been taken to task for it at times - i.e. the Pablo Escobar shirt. But with Hurricane shirt, even though of course there is some trading on his notoriety due to his imprisonment, the Dylan song, etc. - we wanted to make it clear that we were mainly referencing Rubin Carter the fighter, and what he represented as a fighter, with this shirt. That was what motivated the pitch placement more than anything.
I think everyone understands we have to hawk our shit now and then, and as Rooster has pointed out, we probably don't do enough of that. I'm not sure that's a testament to our integrity so much as our dubious status as businessmen.
as a long time no-masian, you guys don't peddle enough goods here.
Well said. I think you should re-post that piece on Boom-Boom Mancini and promote the shirt.
Another Korean kid just died last weeks...sad. Boxing lost another warrior.
Oh, if you walk through any Italian part of town with the Boom-Boom shirt you are golden.
Oh, at the request of Kurt...The Rooster went and watched that movie last night. A hot Jewish girl was sitting behind The Rooster...holla! And although some of the folks didn't get the humor in the movie like when Demitri is watching Kostya quit on the stool...a great arguement that we all have as boxing fans...just classic...fucken classic. The Rooster loved that...a must watch and if you don't get a few tears in your eyes you aint a boxing fan. The Rooster even felt bad for the kid when he was having a hard time making weight...The Rooster remembers the anger, pain and sadness of trying to lose those last pounds. A must watch not only for boxing fans but those who love sports.
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