SJC Boxing

Happy birthday today to Montell Griffin, who was born on this day, June 6, in 1970. Years ago, while I was living in Cincinnati and promoting fights throughout the Midwest, I did quite a bit of work with Montell’s father, Clarence. Clarence was the owner of the famed Windy City Gym, in Chicago. On occasion, he would send me fighers for my shows and we used to speak quite a bit. I always enjoyed working with him. I remember him telling me that his son, Montell, would become something special. Boy was he right!

Montell won the 1992 U.S. Amateur Boxing Championships by defeating Frank Vassar. He also defeated future heavyweight contender Jeremy Williams at the box-offs, to make the 1992 Olympic team. His amateur record was 36-5. At the Olympics, he settled for a Silver medal, losing a controversial decision to Torsten May, of Germany.

Montell, nicknamed "Ice," began his pro career in 1993 and rose to prominence when he defeated James Toney twice by decisions in 1995 and 1996. The second victory over Toney earned Griffin a lucrative bout against WBC champion Roy Jones, Jr. Griffin handed Jones his first professional defeat via a disqualification. A frustrated Jones dropped Griffin in round nine and then hit him again twice on the head after Griffin had taken a knee on the canvas, leading to Jones's disqualification. They had an immediate rematch and Jones regained the WBC title by knocking out Griffin in the first round.

After the loss to Jones, Griffin remained a top-ranked light-heavyweight for six years. He won 11 of his next 12 bouts, losing only a controversial split decision to undefeated but unknown southpaw Eric Harding, despite knocking him down and out-landing him according to punchstats.

Montell compiled a very respectable resume over the course of his career: he has two wins over James Toney, a disqualification victory over Roy Jones Jr., and wins over contenders Ka-Dy King, Ray Lathon, Randall Yonker, Derrick Harmon and George Khalid Jones. His final professional ring record was 50 – 8- 1.

Clarence Griffin was inducted into the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame in 2016. Rest in peace, my old friend.

Montell has carried his father’s legacy with honor and has created his own great legacy. Happy birthday, Montell and many more.

Happy birthday to Ronnie Shields born on this day June 6, in 1958, in Port Arthur, Texas. Ronnie had a stellar amateur career. In 1974, he was the National Junior Olympics Featherweight champion. In 1975, he was the National Golden Gloves Featherweight champion. In 1976 and 1978 he was the National Golden Gloves Light welterweight champion.

He turned pro in 1980 and four years later challenged Billy Costello for the WBC light welterweight title, but lost a decision. In 1986, he took on Tsuyoshi Hamada in Japan for the WBC light welterweight title, but lost a split decision. Ronnie retired in 1988.

After his own boxing career, Shields became a prominent trainer. Among the fighters he has worked with are: Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield, David Tua, Pernell Whitaker, Vernon Forrest, Arturo Gatti, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Juan Díaz, Kassim Ouma, Raúl Márquez, Jesse James Leija, Jesús Chávez, Kermit Cintron, Chris Arreola and Jermell Charlo. His current stable includes: Erislandy Lara and Jermall Charlo, and several others.

Ronnie was the World Boxing Hall of Fame's Trainer of the Year in 2003.

Happy birthday, Ronnie, and many more happy and healthy ones.

Today, June 5, I am thinking of Don "War a Week" Chargin. Don began boxing in high school. An injury forced him out of the ring, but fortunately, not out of boxing. While still in high school he worked as a boxing coach and learned all he could about the sport. Chargin soon found his niche as a matchmaker and promoter.

His first promotion, at the age of 23, was Eddie Chavez vs. Manuel Ortiz on September 3, 1951. Chargin never looked back and ended up promoting over 3000 fights, including Carl (Bobo) Olson vs. Paddy Young, Jerry Quarry vs. Jimmy Ellis, Joey Giambra vs. Chico Vejar and such fighters as Muhammad Ali, Julio Cesar Chavez, Pipino Cuevas, Lupe Pintor, Roberto Duran, Bobby Chacon, Mando Ramos, Danny "Little Red" Lopez, Pete Ranzany, Carlos Palomino and Tony (The Tiger) Lopez among countless others.

From 1964 to 1984, he served as matchmaker at the Olympic Auditorium in Los Angeles, working in association with fellow Hall of Famer Aileen Eaton. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2001. Don died at the age of 90. Rest in peace my friend.

DON CHARGIN - JUNE 5, 1928 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2018.