Benny Paret
Benny "Kid" Paret ( born March 14, 1937 in Santa Clara, Cuba Bernardo Paret, † April 3, 1962 in New York) was a Cuban boxer.
Professional career
Paret in 1954 at the age of 17 years in Cuba pro. He lost in the initial phase several times, for example, against his compatriot Luis Rodríguez. From 1958, he fought primarily in the U.S. and worked steadily in the rankings of the welterweight forward. Among other things, he succeeded in this phase two victories against the previously undefeated Victor Zalazar.
On May 27 1960 he dethroned Don Jordan and was world welterweight champion, made a successful title defense against Luis Federico Thompson. In April 1961, he lost the title to his arch rival Emile Griffith by knockout in the thirteenth round, but won it in the same year on points back. In September 1961, he challenged Gene Fullmer for the middleweight title and lost by knockout in the tenth round.
His last fight
On March 24, 1962, there came the third duel for the world welterweight championship against Griffith. Before the fight at Madison Square Garden should Paret Griffith, whose homosexuality was an open secret, the words "fag, I'll get you both, you and your husband " have whispered in his ear. Griffith freaked out and could only with difficulty be restrained by friends.
In the sixth round Paret Griffith had saved on the ground and this was the Gong when he took heavy hits. In the twelfth round but Griffith landed a series of punches and Paret was eventually passed out. He fell into a coma and died ten days later at the age of only 25 years.
Many observers made the referee Ruby Goldstein responsible for a late abortion. Others defended its passivity by pointing out that Paret often simulated to be struck in order to then surprise his opponent can.
In Ring of Fire, a documentary about the life of Emile Griffith, the family made the manager Manuel Alfaro violent reproaches to have carried the fight so close ( 100 days) after the fiasco against Fullmer.
This battle is considered the beginning of the end of boxing as family entertainment.