Did these 2 ever fight? If not, who wins this? They didn't fight that much apart in their era's.....I'm sure they have more common opponents, but the 2 that stand out are Sugar Ray Robinson and Kid Gavilan. We all know about Basilio/Robinson 1 and 2, but I've heard Olson was very competitive with SRR in their 2nd fight. I've heard Basilio lost to Gavilan, and that Olson beat him. Thoughts?
For both of their performances: Vs Robinson: Olson did very competitive vs Robinson in the second fight, although I don't like how Olson didn't even try to upper his way to sugar's chin and let him get outworked slightly to a decision loss. Meanwhile Basilio outworked Robinson in the first fight with his infighting,but Robinson would use movements in the second fight that would confuse Basilio. VS Gavilan: while losing, Basilio gave a competitive performance vs Gavilan,from what I remember I did score it to Gavilan by only 1 or 2 points,while Olson did dominate better but Gavilan was a bit shot for the time. For the matchup myself,I don't like Olson's chin getting checked in this one,but if he somehow was gonna survive all that onslaught, Basilio still,his punches on the inside also kinda have more steam than Olson who occasionally slaps you to death.
Bump,this is an underappreciated fight I thought @Journeyman92 ,@scartissue ,@Saintpat and @George Crowcroft would love. (alright maybe just journeyman but I want to revive this thread so bad lol)
I lean toward that outcome as well. I think Basilio would encounter some of the same problems that he did vs. Fullmer - an opponent w/ too many similarities in style + the advantage of being naturally bigger & stronger. would be a banger of a fight either way though.
I lean the same way, and you said it better than I would have. I gotta go with Bobo here but it would be a banger for sure. They’d get right down to it and stay at it for the full 15. Thanks for tagging me @FThabxinfan — this one is right in my wheelhouse in that it’s too guys who on the surface just look like tough guys but when you watch them you see the method behind their roughhousing.
No problem,this is a good matchup that went under the radar and I thought should've had more attention,and the interesting things are their contrasting styles. Basilio was much more rough,seemingly uglier but had more steam in his punches and also has a better workrate at times. Meanwhile, Olson is stronger and more polished,yet his punches looks like slaps or cuffs,plus he would throw just enough to win the inside exchange mostly. Both can also box when needed, Olson had a very underrated jab,same for Basilio,and their brawling ability was top tier too. It's hard to outslug Gavilan yet Basilio came close to doing it, Olson also beat an awkward clinch maestro Randy Turpin although Turpin being out of prime.
