When I saw the Braddock-Movie "Cinderella Man" recently I wondered when it was mentioned, that Braddocks opponent Corn Griffin was a hot prospect and an estimated future challenger for the Heavyweight Championship in 1934. By checking his record here at boxrec that seems to be questionable for me: 7 wins (4 by K.o.), 4 losses, 1 draw and 1 no contest.... and his opposition doesn't ring a bell in my ears. Probably that record is incomplete ? does someone have the complete record ?
So...was it true then, that Corn Griffin was a topnotcher that time or is he a top fighter only build up for the movie ?
Was Corn Griffin a "Topnotcher" ?!
Griffin probably had 100 bouts or so by the time Charlie Harvey arranged his release from the Army and brought him to NY.
Having fought mainly in the South he was esentially unknown, but wound up as Carnera's sparring partner. The local papers leading up to the Baer-Carnera fight are peppered with references to how Griffin was handling himself in those sessions, many times roughing up Carnera.
So, although he was not a rated fighter, the Braddock bout was a "showcase" for Griffin, who had a solid record, backed up by some impressive performances in front of the very discerning and critical fight crowd.
I devote a little more space to this in my book, Cinderella Man, and in fact that chapter is available online at http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w0505-delisa.html
Having fought mainly in the South he was esentially unknown, but wound up as Carnera's sparring partner. The local papers leading up to the Baer-Carnera fight are peppered with references to how Griffin was handling himself in those sessions, many times roughing up Carnera.
So, although he was not a rated fighter, the Braddock bout was a "showcase" for Griffin, who had a solid record, backed up by some impressive performances in front of the very discerning and critical fight crowd.
I devote a little more space to this in my book, Cinderella Man, and in fact that chapter is available online at http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/w0505-delisa.html