A man's world

"'I kill a man and most people forgive me. However, I love a man and many say this makes me an evil person.' On 24 March 1962, when Emile Griffith stepped into the ring in Madison Square Garden to defend his world title against Benny Paret, he was filled with rage. During their weigh-in, the Cuban challenger had denounced Griffith as a 'faggot'. In boxing's macho world there could be no greater insult. At a time, when homosexuality was illegal and officially classified as a serious mental illness, Paret's insinuation could have had dangerous consequences for Griffith - especially as it was true. In the fight that followed, Griffith pounded Paret into unconsciousness, and the Cuban would die soon after, leaving Griffith haunted by what he had done. Despite this, he went on to fight more world championship rounds than any other fighter in history in a career that lasted for almost 20 years. He also lived a double life as he visited New York's gay bars and clubs. Griffith was black, so doubly damned by contemporary society, but he refused to cower away. Muhammad Ali, Frank Sinatra, Sugar Ray Robinson, Bob Dylan, Joe Frazier and others were fascinated by Griffith's dark nights in the ring - while gay men and transvestites celebrated their hero"--Publisher's description.