MovieChat Forums > Ring of Fire: The Emile Griffith Story Discussion > His Finances?!!

His Finances?!!

posted 19 years ago by cpwjewel
12 replies | jump to latest

I read the aticle mentioned on another post here. It was an incredibly interesting story. I can't understand a couple of things though. His financial situation baffles me. Why is he not rich again with the autobiography, the documentary and the movie? He should be collecting paychecks from several different venues. If he won more titles than any other boxers, why have I not heard of him? I am not a sports afficianado(and to be reversly chauvenistic I am a female), but his name should be as prevolent as Sugar Ray Robinson's and Muhammed Ali's (especially since he never publicly admitted to being homosexual). I found his story so fascinating and colorful, especially how he still, even today seems so afraid to be openly gay. Could someone who knows more about him give me some insight?

[–] Gobstomper 19 years ago

Joe Lewis and Jesse Owens (the black 1936 Olympic runner who won gold) both died in financial ruin. Joe Lewis for one couldn't even pay for his own funeral, his friend and boxing rival Max Speiling was the one who did. In the case of Jesse Owens he was actually sued by the IRS for tax evasion (he didn't pay taxes since he ran out of money).

[–] buttercup4180 19 years ago

For one thing, boxing today is very different than it was in earlier eras. The amount that the fighters are payed is one big example.
When Griffith fought in the 1960's, figthers were paid much, much less than they are today... one of the reasons that fighters of that era had to fight so many times. So it is easy to see that his career did not necessarily translate into a fortune of money.

I am curious to see if they make a point of this during the documentry.

[–] cpwjewel 19 years ago

While I appreciate your responses, you have both missed my point. I am referring to "TODAY'S MONEY". If he has an autobiography recently printed, and two current movies out, he should have some money now. I agree with both of you about the past dry spells, but he has to be getting paid for the U.S.A. documentary and the film coming out. I understand that many famous athletes and movie stars of the past were not "high paid" at all by todays standards. I also understand that even though he blew thousands and thousands of dollars, he also took care of a whole slew of "friends" and "relatives". I use the terms friends and relatives loosely, because I don't see any of them helping him now. In fact it appears that they may have sold his mother's home (a house he paid for) out from under him. I still maintain that he should have some current funds from present day interviews, licensing rights, autobiograpical fees, etc.

[–] theCute1 19 years ago

A lot of people haven't heard of either one of these fighters, especially since they are not fans of boxing. I remember reading about both of them when I was about 12. I'm a huge boxing fan. Boxing is a sport that is not well received by most Americans and with the exception of a select few, usually heavyweights, most fight in obscurity even when they are good. Imagine how many people under 21 know who Rocky Marciano is compared to the same number who know who Ali is. And Marciano is the only heavyweight to retire undefeated in the history of the sport. Or even who John L. Sullivan is, (he was the first true superstar of the sport back in the bareknuckle days).

As far as finances go, most writers do not make the money people assume they do. Just take the music industry which is far more profitable than books and its easy to see how the money isn't there. Most artists make roughly 15cents per cd sold. Books are probably even less than that. If you are interested in boxing take a look at Boom Boom Mancini and Duk Koo Kim who was killed by Mancini in the 80's.

[–] cpwjewel 19 years ago

Thanks. I really am interested in finding out more now. Have any recommendations on who I should start with? Rocky Marciano sounds good, but do you think his life story could be anywhere near as interesting as Emile Griffith's?

[–] theCute1 19 years ago

If you are looking for books about fighters that have led interesting lives just check out the original sports rebel Jack Johnson. There is a movie out based loosely off his life called "The Great White Hope" that won some major awards, but there was a more recent (last 4months) on PBS a show called "Unforgivable Blackness" which is about Jack Johnson. To be more precise its about Johnson's struggles against a country that hated him and tried everything to bring him down. A couple other fighters that may make interesting reads are Archie Moore (fought over 90 fights before getting a shot at the belt when he was near 40), Joe Louis and Max Schemling who are intertwined because they had to carry their countries on the backs. Louis being American and Shcmeling being from Nazi Germany. They were actually friends but were portrayed as enemies.

[–] cpwjewel 19 years ago

Thanks Cute1

[–] deecee822 19 years ago

he had bad management those that said they were protecting were not and when he started fighting paydays were not that big,emile is sensetive and being gay or not being gay does not make him a bad person he chooses what he feels is best for him at this time.

[–] cpwjewel 19 years ago

Did you have the impression that I had any negative thoughts about him being gay? If so, you have completely misunderstood me. I am simply fascinated at the thought of him having to lead a "double" life. I think he comes across as a great (though slightly immature) guy. I only questioned his finances, not his sexual orientation. The only part about his being gay that I find sad, is his fear of being more open about it in today's society. It is very sad that we (the general public) make people feel this way. I am sure they made a lot less money in those days, but if you had read all of my posts, I think you will see that my questions are legitimate.

[–] gawightman 18 years ago

Im not sure if this answers anybodies questions; but here goes:

The "Ring of Fire" film stated he was getting 50,000 for title fights

Not sure how many he had, but 50,000 was alot more then than it is now. He did try to take care of his family and was probably overly benevolent and figured the money would always be coming, as alot of celebrities (local or global) often do.

As for now, an independant film documentary may not yield a great potential for profits, maybe at the back end in ticket sales (which I dont even recall this being released) or video sales; either way, neither of these would occur until after the documentary...

I dont know his current state of finances, after all this media about him, hopefully it has improved.

But I do know that Hempstead LI, is not the most desireable area for real estate on long island. Not a knock on Emile or people from that area, its just a fact.

Id like to think that the people who did the documentary (Ring of Fire), tried their best to take care of him financially whatever way they could, knowing that a documentary wouldnt garner alot of money. Usually documentary filmakers do it for some greater love for that particular topic

I was unaware of the autobigraphy. Authors get whatever deal they can strike....Some write Dozens of books because they like to, or some do it because they need to support their lifestyle. Others write one or two and then retire...

[–] angelogabe 18 years ago

You can read his mini-biography at wikipedia.org

"Old age is when the devil has nothing more to offer you."

[–] sammikat 15 years ago

I'm confused. Is there a feature-length movie about Emile Griffith besides this documentary? Also, according to what I've seen, his autobiography was only published last year. In the documentary his old manager states that Emile had a hard time managing money--He paid thousands to bring his family over from the Virgin Islands and support them, he invested in a family store that his family were too lazy to work in, he goes on at some length about it.

IMO the reason why you (an avid fan) have not heard of him is that ppl behind the scenes knew that he was gay and intentionally or otherwise, overlooked him in favor of more "family-friendly" players who would be role models for young straight fans, and didn't have any scandalous rumors following them around.

You will notice, in the documentary, Emile never says "I'm gay" in so many words. When he talks about that night at the gay bar all he says is that he wasn't doing anything wrong, but he never comes out in so many words.

Poor man.