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B+ Student
By Ray Kilgore

Justin Griffin boxed Cerreso Fort several months ago and to put it mildly, Griffin was moody and unapproachable. For example, when this writer attempted to get pre fight photographs of Griffin, he wanted no part and wasn't seen again until his ring walk. Meanwhile, Fort talked with fans, posed for photographs and seemed at peace with whatever the bout's outcome would be.
But now, Griffin seems to have learned that boxing is a lifelong process and that it makes little sense to treat every bout as if it were a final examination.

When he boxed Fort, Griffin had ten bouts, but today, he has sixteen and has developed a better attitude about the realities of boxing; in fact, this past Saturday, Griffin lost to Trent Petro although from ringside he appeared to win a close decision. Yet, instead of sulking or overreacting, Griffin looked as if he wasn't concerned about the defeat and was seen seated at ringside to support his teammates. "Losing is nothing to me. My record means nothing" and this is the position boxers' should take; after all, fans are interested in seeing a good performance verses who has the better ring record.

Head coach Edison Santos says he is impressed with how much Griffin has learned about boxing in a short time. "I am trying to make him a better boxer. He has improved a lot but we still have work to do." Griffin age 18, had been interested in boxing early in life. He says his father boxed and won trophies and that inspired him to take up the sport. However, his father refused to let him box because he didn't approve of Griffin's reasoning. "He [his father] wanted to hear I wanted to train and learn the discipline of it [boxing] and not just beat kids up."

Griffin admits in middle school he got into fist fights to cope with his anger. Yet, he says boxing has helped him learn there was other ways to release pent-up feelings. Griffin is a senior in high school and has a twin brother, a nine-year old sister and seven-year old brother.

Family is important to him and this was clear by his wanting to get the interview over so he could go home and eat his grandmother's home cooked Spaghetti. Griffin says when he first took up boxing, he was at the gym five days a week, but once his mother's illness got worse, he cut down training to support his parents. Although Griffin is committed to his family, he still finds time to train three times a week sparring with professional fighter Kenny Kost at times.

Like most boxers/fighters, Griffin has his archrival name Gunther Maniffa; although Griffin recently defeated Maniffa, Griffin is determined to get a rematch. "Gunther's a bi*ch" Griffin says to Dustin Mason. Griffin is frustrated about the difficulties in trying to secure a rematch bout. Griffin says Maniffa motivates him because of a heated discussion the two had awhile back. " A long time ago I came up and told him I want to fight you, and he said, 'you're not in my league."' Another bout Griffin is eyeing is a rematch with Fort at the Golden Gloves tournament next year.

Griffin's the first to acknowledge he has a lot to learn as a boxer, however, the skills he's gained motivates him to push. "Boxing is more of an individual sport but I love helping the younger kids [who come to the gym] and I'll always be involved in boxing." The way Griffin speaks suggests he might be on his way of becoming an A+ student as a boxer, "Unless you're willing to learn they [coaches], will not help you. But if you're willing, they bend backwards to help you;" like a good student, Griffin makes his coach proud because he's willing to learn and want that A+ at the end of each day.