Gil Clancy, boxing trainer....R.I.P.

Gil Clancy, boxing trainer



Gil Clancy, left, celebrates with boxer Emile Griffith in 1963 after Griffith defeated Luis Rodriguez for the welterweight title. (Associated Press)

Gil Clancy, 88, a boxing trainer who helped lead Emile Griffith to welterweight and middleweight titles, died Thursday at an assisted-living facility on Long Island, N.Y., his family said.

Born in Rockaway Beach, N.Y., in 1922, Clancy boxed in the Army during World War II. After his discharge he studied physical education at New York University, earning a master's degree in teaching and paying tuition by training fighters. Eventually, he rose to prominence as a corner man.

Clancy also worked with Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman and Oscar De La Hoya. But he's best known for his 20-year association with Griffith.

Griffith captured the welterweight title from Benny "The Kid" Paret in April 1961 with a 13th-round knockout. Six months later, Griffith lost the title to Paret in a split decision, then regained it in a controversial rematch with Paret in 1962.

With Clancy shouting encouragement from the corner, Griffith knocked Paret unconscious, and Paret stayed propped against the ropes while Griffith hit him repeatedly for several seconds before referee Ruby Goldstein stopped the fight. Paret never regained consciousness and died 10 days later.

After retiring from training, Clancy worked as a TV commentator.

He was elected to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1993.