The International Boxing Hall of Fame says former world champion Emile Griffith has died. He was 75.

The hall said Tuesday he died at an extended care facility in Hempstead, N.Y.

His remarkable boxing career was overshadowed by the death of opponent Bennie Paret from injuries in the ring in 1962.

Griffith struggled with pugilistic dementia and required full-time care late in life. He was the first boxer from the U.S. Virgin Islands to become world champion.

He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

 

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.

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