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Referee in Paret-Griffith Bout Responds to Criticism

Mar. 25, 1962 - Ruby Goldstein, the referee during Emile Griffith’s brutal championship victory over Benny Paret Saturday night, responded to charges of negligence today. The referee was charged by Manuel Alfaro, Paret’s manager, with acting too slowly in halting the battle that sent Paret to Roosevelt Hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Goldstein, a 56-year-old New Yorker who is considered one of the best in the business, stopped the fight at 2 minutes 9 seconds of the 12th round, after Griffith had savagely battered the defending champion against the ropes. “Sometimes things don’t turn out right afterward,” said Goldstein today. “I knew Paret was a tough fellow. Sometimes, in the first part of a round, he doesn’t do too well. Then he comes out of it and starts fighting.” Goldstein added: “I thought he might roll away from the ropes in the twelfth. Lots of fighters do that.” It was noted that Paret had won the previous round. Goldstein, who fought as a lightweight a generation ago, is often called upon for championship bouts. Two years ago, when Ingemar Johansson defeated Floyd Patterson for the heavyweight title, Goldstein was criticized for stopping the fight too quickly.


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