Just browsing one of my old Ring magazines and see that Basilio was in the Ring magazine fight of the year an insane 5 years in a row from !955-1959. That is sick. Now I know why my mom used to talk about him when I was growing up. I figured that this was more threadworthy than another silly fantasy fight. What a fighter
I think he’s underrated in terms of skill. Lots of upper-body movement, good combination puncher, to the head and body too.
Always liked watching Basilio fights but never new about that ring magazine fact.What a fighter a real throw back
Basilio was a relentless beast with a lot of heart. Like a smaller version of Marciano. Pushed SRR to the limits and gave as good as he got against Fullmer. Awesome and underrated fighter.
Hi Greg. Touching you should think of me, and thanks for the heads up, I have written a forest on this hardest of hard men, there was a thread recently raised by the eminent @thistle regarding the toughnest of old time fighters, and if any " modern " fighter would be more than able to hold his own back then Carmen would surely be that fighter, craggy, rough hewn Basilio was the fighters fighter, respected by his peers, promoters, managers, here was a no nonsense straight talking man, he lived and breathed boxing, his was a spartan existence, Dundee is on record as saying Basilio was maniacal in his preparation before the fight, weeks away from loved ones, he craved solitude, he withdrew within himself, his one and only goal was to get his body into the finest shape possible, Dundee said he was the first in the gym, and the last to leave, he kept his sparring partners at arm's length,there was no time for niceties, he sole aim was to hone his body and skills to prepare for the battle ahead and if beating them up is what was needed, then so be it, when told by a reporter that 38 out of 39 hacks picked Robinson to beat him , he replied " then 38 are wrong " he didn't like Ray, the factual anecdotes of his opponents having to take short change, the way he carried himself, aloof, arrogant, with disdain for all around him, they were the complete antithesis of each other, the swarve, coiffured, elegant Robinson, up against the rough, grizzled,former onion farmer, some men are born to fight one great fight in there lives, and Basilio/ Robinson 1 was such a fight, Carmen posed but one problem, to beat me you will have to take my heart out, then stamp on it . I could go on,but I am tired, and it's time for rest. stay safe guys, chat soon. Mike.
I recently watchth the rematch with DeMarco,1955 FOTY. Such a superb contest,Tony starting fast,then Carmen coming back,then more ebb and flow until finally the Boston crowd had to suck in the idea their man was gonna lose it right in front of their eyes.
Wlad was almost 100 pounds heavier, almost a foot taller and sporting well over a foot of reach advantage. There's only one winner here.