Tuffy Griffiths
Encyclopedia
Gerald Ambrose "Tuffy" Griffiths (January 1, 1907 – November 15, 1968) was an American
boxer
. He fought as a heavyweight
and occasionally as a light heavyweight
under the name Tuffy Griffiths.
, the son of James Alfred Griffiths (1875 – 1933) and Rose Jane Girardot (1874 – 1956). He had three brothers and two sisters. His brother Buzz Saw Griffiths was also a boxer.
. His debut was a successful one, defeating Donnie Dundee in 6 rounds. Jack O'Keefe
was the manager of Griffiths. Griffiths actually preferred to be called by the name "Jerry" and not "Tuffy." He stood at 5' 11".
. Many media outlets were reporting that Griffiths was not beaten in over 50 consecutive matches when he arrived on the East Coast
. Fighting his first fight in Manhattan
at Madison Square Garden
on November 30, 1928, he fought James J. Braddock
. Griffiths was supposed to be fighting former champion Pete Latzo
that night. However, in a tune-up match for the Griffiths bout, Braddock broke Latzo's jaw in four places. Braddock was the only other choice to fight Griffiths that night. Griffiths was a 7-1 favorite to win the match against Braddock. As expected Griffiths dominated the first round of the fight, but Braddock fought back viciously in the second. Braddock ended up getting a second round knockout and shocked the whole boxing world. This single match launched Braddock's boxing career. A reenactment of this fight is featured in the movie Cinderella Man
.
and knocked out Tom Heeney
in New York on July 30, 1930.
Griffiths ended up fighting a future heavyweight champion on September 26, 1932. His opponent was one of the most feared boxers of his time, Max Baer. Baer won by a TKO in the 7th round of the bout.
Tuffy Griffiths would fight his last professional bout against Tony Shucco on September 6, 1933. The fight saw Tuffy get knocked out in the fourth round. After nearly 8 years of professional boxing and 74 wins, he would retire officially in 1934.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
. He fought as a 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...
and occasionally as a light heavyweight
Light heavyweight
In boxing, the light heavyweight is a weight division above 168 pounds [12 Stone or 76.204 kilograms] and up to 175 pounds [12.5 stone or 79.38 kilograms]), falling between super middleweight and cruiserweight...
under the name Tuffy Griffiths.
Early life
Gerald Ambrose Griffiths was born in Macy, NebraskaMacy, Nebraska
Macy is a census-designated place in Thurston County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 956 at the 2000 census.It is within the Omaha Indian Reservation.-Geography:Macy is located at ....
, the son of James Alfred Griffiths (1875 – 1933) and Rose Jane Girardot (1874 – 1956). He had three brothers and two sisters. His brother Buzz Saw Griffiths was also a boxer.
Early boxing career
Griffiths fought his first professional bout on December 11, 1925 in Omaha, NebraskaOmaha, Nebraska
Omaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. His debut was a successful one, defeating Donnie Dundee in 6 rounds. Jack O'Keefe
Jack O'Keefe
Jack O'Keefe is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Melbourne, Hawthorn and South Melbourne in the VFL....
was the manager of Griffiths. Griffiths actually preferred to be called by the name "Jerry" and not "Tuffy." He stood at 5' 11".
Griffiths vs. Braddock
All of Griffiths early fights were fought in the Midwest. In order for him to gain more notoriety he moved out and headed for the New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. Many media outlets were reporting that Griffiths was not beaten in over 50 consecutive matches when he arrived on the East Coast
East Coast of the United States
The East Coast of the United States, also known as the Eastern Seaboard, refers to the easternmost coastal states in the United States, which touch the Atlantic Ocean and stretch up to Canada. The term includes the U.S...
. Fighting his first fight in Manhattan
Manhattan
Manhattan is the oldest and the most densely populated of the five boroughs of New York City. Located primarily on the island of Manhattan at the mouth of the Hudson River, the boundaries of the borough are identical to those of New York County, an original county of the state of New York...
at 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...
on November 30, 1928, he fought 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....
. Griffiths was supposed to be fighting former champion Pete Latzo
Pete Latzo
Pete Latzo was the boxing world welterweight champion from 1926 to 1927. Latzo fought all the top welterweights of his era and won the title from hall of famer Mickey Walker on May 20, 1926. He lost the crown to Joe Dundee on June 3, 1927.After losing the welter crown Latzo invaded the heavier...
that night. However, in a tune-up match for the Griffiths bout, Braddock broke Latzo's jaw in four places. Braddock was the only other choice to fight Griffiths that night. Griffiths was a 7-1 favorite to win the match against Braddock. As expected Griffiths dominated the first round of the fight, but Braddock fought back viciously in the second. Braddock ended up getting a second round knockout and shocked the whole boxing world. This single match launched Braddock's boxing career. A reenactment of this fight is featured in the movie 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...
.
Later boxing career
After the loss to Braddock, Griffiths ended up going on a five match win streak. His winning streak would end though to Leo Lomski on February 15, 1929. In a rematch with Lomski the following month, Griffiths bounced back and won. However, he broke his hand in the fight, and was sidelined for two months. Upon his return Griffiths won 16 consecutive matches. He beat Johnny Risko on July 2, 1930 in ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and knocked out Tom Heeney
Tom Heeney
Thomas Heeney , commonly called Tom Heeney, was a professional heavyweight boxer from New Zealand, best known for unsuccessfully challenging champion Gene Tunney for the heavyweight championship of the world in New York City on 26 July 1928.Heeney was born in Gisborne, New Zealand, and worked as a...
in New York on July 30, 1930.
Griffiths ended up fighting a future heavyweight champion on September 26, 1932. His opponent was one of the most feared boxers of his time, Max Baer. Baer won by a TKO in the 7th round of the bout.
Tuffy Griffiths would fight his last professional bout against Tony Shucco on September 6, 1933. The fight saw Tuffy get knocked out in the fourth round. After nearly 8 years of professional boxing and 74 wins, he would retire officially in 1934.
Trivia
- After his boxing career ended he was stationed at the San Diego Marine CorpsMarine corpsA marine is a member of a force that specializes in expeditionary operations such as amphibious assault and occupation. The marines traditionally have strong links with the country's navy...
base as a boxing instructor. - Ran Tuffy Griffiths's Tavern for many years in Chicago after his retirement.
- He is a member of the Greater Sioux City Athletic Association Hall of Fame.
- Was a patient at the Veterans Administration HospitalVeterans Administration HospitalVeterans Administration Hospital or Veterans Administration Medical Center is a term used to refer to one of the medical facilities operated by the Veterans Health Administration, a division of the U.S...
in Sheridan, WY for many years before his death.