Emile Griffith vs. Andy Heilman (1st meeting)
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Emile Griffith 157 lbs beat Andy Heilman 157 lbs by MD in round 12 of 12
- Date: 1968-06-11
- Location: Oakland Arena, Oakland, California, USA
- Referee: Vern Bybee 5-5
- Judge: Johnny Lotsey 8-3
- Judge: Elmer Costa 8-4
"Emile Griffith won a majority decision over Andy Heilman Tuesday night in a rugged 12 round bout at Oakland Coliseum Arena. Heilman's Pier-Six style seemed made to order for the quick-handed Griffith who always landed more than he took. Heilman seemd to lose a lot of zip from the 5th round on after early body punches slowed down the San Pedro, Calif. battler. There were no knockdowns in the action, but Griffith staggered Heilman with a right in the 10th stanza, Griffith's best round." -United Press International
- This bout was originally scheduled for June 7th of '68 and was postponed for 4 days. Throughout the U.S. all organized sport was postponed on Friday the 7th in remembrance of Senator Robert Kennedy, who was assassinated days before.
- This victory assured Griffith of a July 8th (it actually took place on August 6th) bout in Philadelphia against undefeated Gypsy Joe Harris, with the winner of that bout to receive a title shot against Nino Benvenuti for the middleweight title. This was all according to New York matchmaker Teddy Brenner, who was at ringside for this bout.
- Unofficial Oakland Tribune scorecard - 7-4 Griffith
- Unofficial San Mateo Times scorecard - 8-3 Griffith
- Attendance - 4,171
- Gate - $40,000 (app.)
- Purses - Griffith - $12,500, Heilman - $9,000 (app.)
Post fight comments
- "The referee did a good job, but I wonder what fight he was watching." -Emile Griffith, commenting on Vern Bybee's scorecard.
- "Griffith is showing true class by going into somebody else's backyard back-to-back when he fights Harris in Philadelphia." -Gil Clancy, Griffith's manager.
- "If my fight with Heilman hadn't been postponed, I might have been suspended because I doubt I would have fought." -Emile Griffith, who was a staunch Kennedy supporter.