BoxRec

Dateline April 25, 1966:

Native Virgin Islander Emile Griffith and Native Nigerian Dick Tiger were some of the most magnificent Boxers that ever existed, now fighting in America for the WBC Middleweight title for this 60th year anniversary tribute.

And where was you? I was reading Ring Mag by then.

Richard Ihetu, aka Dick Tiger got his start boxing in Nigeria before moving to England where he was something of a sensation. Following the $$$Tree, he moved to the US with additional fights in Canada, the WBC Middle Champ for this fight.

Griffith had a significant advantage in age being a prime 28 years old to Tiger’s well worn 36 years, but they were mirror images in terms of size with identical 5-1 records in their last 6 fights.

After 15 torrid rounds, the scoring went to supplemental point rules where Emile edged the decision based on the first Knockdown in Tiger’s career.

Dick Tiger picked himself up to challenge reigning WBC/WBA Lightheavy Champ Jose Torres in another magnificent battle at Madison Square Garden that sparked a riot when Tiger was announced the new Champ over the popular Puerto Rican Champion.

Sadly he was mismatched with future HOF KO specialist Bob Foster who ripped his title away.

Tiger now Roars into a 3 fight tear starting the 1968 Ring Fight of the Year against rousing slugger Frankie DePaula also at Madison Square Garden. Then on to another future HOFer Nino Benvenuti also at the Garden before another Garden Party vs LightHeavy Native American Contender Andy Kendall, winning a wide slugfest decision.

Alas, the now 40 year old Tiger was shut out the dynamic Emile Griffith in their rematch. Nor was his end kind to this Warrior with his Ibo Tribe in Nigeria in rebellion with all the horrors of War as he trained troops in hand to hand combat, but after contracting Liver Cancer that was the end at age 42. I'd guess he fought the last two years with the cancer developing before diagnosis.

Emile made it to the 75 year mark with typical elderly boxer physical and mental declines.

Yet they live on on Valhalla still fighting the great fights against all comers as they were blessed by their Creator to do…Amen…

Great post
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Emile Griffith and Dick Tiger are certified top 50 all-time greatest boxers. No doubt about that. They were two of the best of the 1960s era.

They were great. The middleweight division was unbelievable in the 1950s and 1960s. And of course Griffith was great at welterweight and Tiger managed to win the light heavyweight title.

I remember an interview in which Mike Tyson talked about the middleweights from 1960-1965 being fantastic. I would actually rank Tiger over Hagler in terms of quality of opponents defeated.

goose 5 wrote: ↑01 May 2026, 23:33 I remember an interview in which Mike Tyson talked about the middleweights from 1960-1965 being fantastic. I would actually rank Tiger over Hagler in terms of quality of opponents defeated.

I'd have Tiger quite a few notches back from Hagler myself, but he's probably the best boxer ever out of Nigeria which is quite a statement as Nigeria is one of the toughest Boxing nations in Africa.

Dick Tiger of Nigeria to me, is the greatest African boxer of all-time. He was better than Azumah Nelson. Better than Battling Siki. Better than Davey Kotey. Better than all of them.

elmersalsa wrote: ↑04 May 2026, 21:24 Dick Tiger of Nigeria to me, is the greatest African boxer of all-time. He was better than Azumah Nelson. Better than Battling Siki. Better than Davey Kotey. Better than all of them.

I strongly agreed Elmer, Dick Tiger is the goat of African boxer in history and he had more impact than the Professor who followed his footsteps as Tiger fought bigger legends, hall of famers and names throughout his career in pro boxing.

Head to head, Cerdan might beat him.

That's an interesting comment. Most people probably think of Cerdan as French. Obviously a great fighter.