06/06/2026
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.
