Boxer Emile Griffith took on a homophobic opponent in the ring, and killed him

The death of Benny Paret haunted Griffith for the rest of his life

Emile Griffith beams in dressing room after regaining the welterweight world championship at New York’s Madison Square Garden on June 8, 1963. (AP)

The story of Benny Paret and Emile Griffith could be seen as a simple tragedy — a life lost to a brutal sport. But an incident that occurred before the match would forever complicate the simple narrative about that night at Madison Square Garden, and Griffith would remain haunted for life.