John Griffin (boxer)
Encyclopedia
John Charles "Corn" Griffin, (July 24, 1911 – January 9, 1973) was an American
heavyweight
boxer
whose career lasted from 1930 to 1936 and included the memorable June 14, 1934 TKO
loss to James J. Braddock
, recreated for the 2005 film Cinderella Man
.
A native of Florida
, Griffin was born in Blountstown, a small community which is the county seat
of Calhoun County
. After winning his first fight, a 1930 bout with Charles "Ranger" Pond, he turned professional in 1931 with much promise, but was KO'd by Bob Godwin
in 1933. The heavily publicized fight with Braddock in Madison Square Garden
the following year was the highlight of his career and, as dramatized in Cinderella Man, had Russell Crowe
(as Braddock) punching it out with Polish
boxer Art Binkowski
, portraying Griffin.
During his professional career he also served as a sparring partner for former world heavyweight boxing champion Primo Carnera
and, following his final bout, a 1936 Fourth of July loss to Barney Brock, left the ring, working in a number of jobs and serving in the army
during World War II
.
After the war, Griffin became a police officer in Columbus, Georgia
. According to the August 25, 1950 issue of the Panama City News-Herald, he didn't carry the traditional policeman's club "since his old one-two sledgehammer-like fists are as good as ever, but may be not as fast".
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
heavyweight
Heavyweight
Heavyweight is a division, or weight class, in boxing. Fighters who weigh over 200 pounds are considered heavyweights by the major professional boxing organizations: the International Boxing Federation, the World Boxing Association, the World Boxing Council, and the World Boxing...
boxer
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
whose career lasted from 1930 to 1936 and included the memorable June 14, 1934 TKO
Knockout
A knockout is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, Karate and others sports involving striking...
loss to James J. Braddock
James J. Braddock
James Walter "The Cinderella Man" Braddock was an American boxer who was the world heavyweight champion from 1935 to 1937....
, recreated for the 2005 film Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man
Cinderella Man is a 2005 American drama film by Ron Howard, titled after the nickname of heavyweight boxing champion James J. Braddock and inspired by his life story. The film was produced by Howard, Penny Marshall, and Brian Grazer.-Plot:James J...
.
A native of Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
, Griffin was born in Blountstown, a small community which is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Calhoun County
Calhoun County, Florida
Calhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,017. The U.S. Census Bureau 2006 estimate for the county was 13,410 . Its county seat is Blountstown, Florida.- History :...
. After winning his first fight, a 1930 bout with Charles "Ranger" Pond, he turned professional in 1931 with much promise, but was KO'd by Bob Godwin
Bob Godwin
Bob Godwin , was an American boxer.- Pro career :Gardiner turned pro in 1930 and captured the National Boxing Association World light heavyweight title in 1933 with a points win over Joe Knight...
in 1933. The heavily publicized fight with Braddock in Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
the following year was the highlight of his career and, as dramatized in Cinderella Man, had Russell Crowe
Russell Crowe
Russell Ira Crowe is a New Zealander Australian actor , film producer and musician. He came to international attention for his role as Roman General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the 2000 historical epic film Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Actor, a...
(as Braddock) punching it out with Polish
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
boxer Art Binkowski
Art Binkowski
Artur "Art" Binkowski is a Polish-born Canadian heavyweight boxer who competed for his adopted country Canada at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia.-Background:...
, portraying Griffin.
During his professional career he also served as a sparring partner for former world heavyweight boxing champion Primo Carnera
Primo Carnera
Primo Carnera was an Italian boxer, nicknamed the Ambling Alp, who became the world heavyweight champion.-Biography:...
and, following his final bout, a 1936 Fourth of July loss to Barney Brock, left the ring, working in a number of jobs and serving in the army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
After the war, Griffin became a police officer in Columbus, Georgia
Columbus, Georgia
Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Muscogee County, Georgia, United States, with which it is consolidated. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 189,885. It is the principal city of the Columbus, Georgia metropolitan area, which, in 2009, had an estimated population of 292,795...
. According to the August 25, 1950 issue of the Panama City News-Herald, he didn't carry the traditional policeman's club "since his old one-two sledgehammer-like fists are as good as ever, but may be not as fast".