The classic boxing podcasts keep coming as former professional boxer and world champion Montell Griffin joins us for a very special edition of the Talk ‘N’ Shoot podcast.
Griffin retired from active boxing after his last bout in August of 2011 with a record of 50 wins (30 of those by stoppage), 8 losses and 1 draw. The champ had a storied career in the pros that included wins over future Hall of Famers James Toney and Roy Jones Jr.
But for this podcast, we got into the boxing trenches with Montell, as he re-counted his amateur career which culminated in his participation in the Barcelona Olympics. Griffin recounts all the trial and tribulations of amateur boxing and all the politics that go along with the territory. Despite being the son of a former Olympic boxing trainer, Griffin’s Olympic dreams almost went up in smoke during the trials. After overcoming a lot of obstacles, Griffin was part of the Olympic Team representing the United States alongside the likes of Oscar de La Hoya.
“The first fight I remember watching was Ray Leonard winning the gold medal, that day watching that with my father, I knew I wanted to be an Olympian,” Griffin says. “At the time as a kid you’re not paying no attention to the professional ranks and the money, it was about the red, white and blue.”
Once the podcast gets started, Montell opens up and the memories and stories start to flow. Griffin, who works for the state of Illinois as a corrections officer now, is still sharp as a tack with his recollections and memories. In the end, Montell agrees to return for a future podcast where we will delve into his professional career.
