Emile Griffith vs Brian Curvis

On September 22, 1964, Emile Griffith defended his WBC and WBA welterweight titles against British challenger Brian Curvis at the Empire Pool in Wembley, London. The bout ended with Griffith securing a unanimous decision victory over 15 rounds, with Curvis suffering three knockdowns during the fight. Both fighters weighed in at 146 pounds. The match was officiated by referee Harry Gibbs, the sole judge.

Curvis, the British and Empire welterweight champion, entered the ring as a significant underdog, with betting odds set at 2-to-1 in Griffith's favour. Despite this, Curvis's tenacity and skilful boxing kept the 10,500-strong crowd engaged, many of whom were Welsh fans waving leeks, the national symbol of Wales. However, Griffith's power and relentless aggression quickly set the tone. By the third round, the American champion's heavier punches had already slowed Curvis, whose face began to show signs of the damage inflicted.

The sixth round saw the first knockdown of the night. A series of hard blows from Griffith sent Curvis to the canvas for an eight count, leaving him dazed and struggling to regain his footing. Remarkably, Curvis rallied in the seventh, showing brief flashes of dominance as he managed to trouble the champion with accurate counters. Yet, his resurgence was short-lived as Griffith maintained control, pressuring with a relentless offensive.

In the tenth round, Curvis was floored again for a nine count as Griffith delivered a punishing combination to the head. Curvis gamely rose and survived the round, evading further danger until the bell. Sensing an opportunity to close the show, Griffith pressed forward, but Curvis's defensive skills and grit kept the fight going. The decisive third knockdown occurred in the thirteenth round after Griffith landed a hard right to the body, sending Curvis down for another nine count. Though visibly exhausted, Curvis managed to rise again, refusing to go down without a fight.

Griffith's dominant performance was not without controversy. The referee repeatedly warned him about butting, and in the eighth round, the crowd's displeasure was evident when Gibbs momentarily pulled the champion away by the hair due to his rough tactics. Despite these moments, Griffith remained focused and continued to dictate the fight, showcasing superior power and resilience. A brief scare occurred in the final round when a sharp right from Curvis opened a cut over Griffith's left eye, marking one of the few visible injuries he sustained during the contest.

By the eleventh round, Curvis launched a brief offensive, landing a series of clean left hands, but they lacked the power to deter the champion. The effort seemed to drain the last reserves of energy from the challenger, and by the twelfth round, his output had significantly dwindled. Griffith sensed the end was near and moved in with more aggressive combinations in the thirteenth, leading to the final knockdown. Griffith maintained his lead in the closing rounds, outboxing a tired Curvis to secure the clear decision.

Curvis, who entered the fight with only one previous loss in 33 bouts, showed remarkable courage but could not handle Griffith's relentless pressure and power shots. The bout was Griffith's tenth title defence and his second in less than four months. Despite the clear win, Griffith's performance drew mixed reactions from the British crowd, who were displeased with his rough style. Griffith, clearly in discomfort after the bout, had to be carried back to his dressing room due to severe leg cramps, which he said began affecting him in the thirteenth round, noting the potential danger of the situation.

This title defence marked the first British challenge for the welterweight crown since 1939 and showcased Griffith's dominance in the division. With the victory, he pocketed a $70,000 purse, while Curvis, who had bravely fought through the 15 rounds, earned $14,000. The bout underscored Griffith's status as the top welterweight of the era despite criticism of his tactics and the physical toll the fight took on him. For Curvis, it was a second career loss and a demonstration of his heart, even in defeat.

I’ve always regarded Brian Curvis as one of Britain’s finest welterweights never to win a world title. He held the British and Commonwealth championships, won two Lonsdale Belts outright and had lost only once before facing Griffith. The Welsh support travelled in numbers because Curvis was clever, disciplined and genuinely capable, not simply a local attraction being handed an opportunity.

Griffith was operating on another level. He had already shared four fights with Luis Manuel Rodriguez and understood how to solve difficult opponents under pressure. Against the southpaw Curvis, he gradually closed the distance, worked the body and imposed his superior physical strength. The knockdowns in the sixth, tenth and thirteenth were not accidents; they resulted from sustained pressure wearing down a good defensive boxer.

Griffith was also rough. He led with his head often enough to be warned repeatedly, and Harry Gibbs even dragged him away by the hair during one untidy exchange. I will not dress that up as cleverness. He pushed the rules and made the fight unpleasant whenever Curvis tried to establish rhythm.

Curvis showed tremendous resilience by completing 15 rounds and even cut Griffith late, but the decision was beyond argument. Griffith had the greater strength, variety and championship experience. Curvis performed with credit, yet he was clearly beaten by the best welterweight of that period.