If Robinson needed money why didn't he defend the title after beating Basilio?

Because he likely would have lost or at least had to go through a tough fight so it was easier making money in appearances as a champion in non title fights against journeymen than defending in tough fights. Moore made the same decision.

 

SRR came back in 1959 via a win in an "over the MW weight-fight limit" against so-so Lthvy Bob Young, then lost his fractured MW title in a disputed SD fight to Paul Pender, then ko'ed Tony Baldoni in one round, then lost by SD to Paul Pender in a MW title fight, then drew with Fullmer in a MW title fight, then lost to Fullmer in a MW title fight, then beat by SD journeyman Wilf Greaves, and finally, in 1961 beat a good Denny Moyer by UD, basically ending SRR's run at the top level.

Terrry Downes faced Robinson, a five-time world middleweight champion and one of the greatest fighters in history, in 1962, five months after losing the title to Pender in a rematch. But by then Robinson was 41 and past his prime. “I didn’t beat Sugar Ray,” Downes said after winning in 10 rounds on points. “I beat his ghost.”

1961-10-21 : Sugar Ray Robinson 159¾ lbs beat Denny Moyer 157 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10

• Location: Madison Square Garden, New York, New York, USA
• Referee: Barney Felix 5-3
• Judge: Johnny Dran 6-3
• Judge: Bill Recht 5-4

• Unofficial AP scorecard: 6-4 Robinson
• Unofficial UPI scorecard: 6-3 Robinson

"Sugar Ray Robinson, the 41-year-old Methuselah of the ring, outpointed baby-faced Denny Moyer of Portland, Ore., Saturday night in an action-packed 10-round bout in Madison Square Garden. Robinson, who turned professional 21 years ago when Moyer was just a year old, won the verdict of all three officials, but not the crowd of 7,800 who jeered the decision. ... Moyer, who weighed 157 and is 19 years Robinson's junior, made a good fight of it. He showed no awe for the five-time world middleweight champion and was perfectly willing to mix it up. There were no knockdowns and both fighters came out of the fray without a scratch. But Moyer did stagger Robinson with a right to the head in the fourth." - Associated Press

Notes

• Robinson was a 3-1 favorite.
• Although the fans in the Garden greeted the decision with mingled cheers and boos, matchmaker Teddy Brenner disclosed: "Our television sponsors report that TV stations which carried the fight were swamped with phone calls of protest against the decision."
• A poll of 13 sportswriters at ringside had five favoring Moyer, four scoring for Robinson and four calling it a draw.

Post-Fight Comments

• "I was so sure he had the fight wrapped up, that I told him before the ninth round that Robinson needed a knockout to win. I guess I gave him the wrong dope. I would expect a bad decision in a lot of places, but not in New York." - Sid Flaherty, Moyer's manager
• "At this stage of my career, I don't make many plans for the future. I have to take the fights as they come." - Sugar Ray Robinson, when asked if he was seeking a bout with either Gene Fullmer or Terry Downes, the two middleweight titleholders. (Downes beat Champ Pender, then lost to Pender in a rematch)

External Links

• The Associated Press - October 23, 1961
• United Press International - October 23, 1961

Terry Downes quick overview:
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/13/...middleweight-champion-and-britains-pride.html

 

I believe Basilio went to his grave holding it against Robinson for no rubber match I read somewhere, he wanted it bad !

 

Think about it from a purely business perspective. You have this great money-making asset, the middleweight title; you acknowledge, as all others around you do, that you are getting a little long in tooth and are now vulnerable in the ring in a way you weren't before. No title defense is a given for you anymore.

The fight that brings the most financial reward is hard in coming and stalls ( you hope only briefly) in negotiations. At your age it's best to stay active and keep the machinery oiled as best you can, so you have to fight someone. What makes more sense, fighting more safe opponents in hopes of lining up that big payday against Basilio, or risking your big prize and money-making tool (the title) against less lucrative opponents while you wait? Remember, he's losing title fights about as often as he wins them at this stage. Why would he risk it that way?

 

The NBA stripped him for non-defense....but he still had the "fractured version" until the Pender defense loss.
(This was Robinson's first title defense in 22 months. He had been stripped by the National Boxing Association for inactivity. He was then recognized only by Massachusetts, New York and The Ring.)

1960-01-22 : Paul Pender 159¾ lbs beat Sugar Ray Robinson 159¼ lbs by SD in round 15 of 15

• Location: Boston Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
• Referee: Joe Zapustas 146-142
• Judge: Joe Santoro 138-147
• Judge: John Norton 148-142

• "World Middleweight Championship" (1st defense of 5th reign by Robinson)
• Photo #2, Photo #3

Notes

• This was Robinson's first title defense in 22 months. He had been stripped by the National Boxing Association for inactivity. He was then recognized only by Massachusetts, New York and The Ring.
• Robinson was a 5-1 favorite.
• A crowd of 10,608 paid $85,010 to see the fight.
• The Associated Press scored the fight 145-141 for Robinson.
• A poll of ringside press showed a 9-6 edge for Robinson.

External Link

• "Pender Wins Split Decision Over Sugar Ray" Associated Press, January 23, 1960