Carmen Basilio will be "On the Ropes" April 12 at 6pm EST

Carmen is one of my favorite fighters ever. The man is as friedly (and comical) as they come outside of the ring, but in the ring it is hard to find men who were as tough, or tougher than Carmen Basilio. Often his subtle skills are overshadowed by his outstanding bravery, chin, heart, and all around toughness. A fight with Carmen was only going to get tougher as the night wore on, as Tony Demarco found out twice. I feel Carmen is one of the welterweight greats, and he was still a very good middleweight.

 

Anywhere in the bottom half of the top 10 all time welters.

 

homeboy straight up clowned Sugar Ray Robinson homies

 

you see the video where he said he would ko Paulie Malignaggi at the HOF.Still tough now:bbb

 

I watched him eye a guy up that was standing next to me, smack him across the face, and without missing a beat turn and sign his autograph for me.

 

Carmen Basilio ,was a welterweight Rocky Marciano, tough as rawhide...Basilio would have loved the rough and tough 1890s, I think...Th0w0ut his fights with Fullmer...Basilio was really a Welterweight, and past his peak then...To be fair. so was Ray Robinson,at 36 years old past his prime when he fought Basilio...The Ray Robinson who I saw in his Welter prime,would have handled tough Carmine with ease, I believe...But Basilio is an alltime great welterweight, for sure....

 

Not sure he would have handle Basilio with ease. Carman would have always been hell for him imo.

 

This is exactly how you sound on the radio.

 

Yeah, it's good to be Carmen. Imagine, being able to smack guys across the face, and having them brag about it to their friends instead of suing you or pressing assault charges.

 

He's top ten material at welterweight imo, whether he is in the top ten or not is debatable because of the depth and amount of contenders, but he's one that is in contention for me. He could work combos like nobodies business, a sharper hitter than Lamotta, and two fisted to many targets (but Lamotta was a better counterpuncher). Terrific fighter.

 

Often miscast as this big lump of granite who took punishment to dish it out.

But Carmen had a decent defence where he 'rolled' with the punches. And his offence was brilliant and all pinned together with a strong Left hook.

 

good point. his skills are underrated and he's overshadowed by robinson. he was one of the best welters, most exciting fighters and excelled in a talent rich era. nothing to be ashamed of there

 

Tough, Tough guy and an ATG, had a chance to beat any welter on a given night and no slouch of a middleweight. Heart is tops