Carmen Basilio vs Carlos Palomino

Basilio in a close WAR. GREAT MATCHUP!!!!!

 

Carmen Basilio was one tough fighter, he had those wars with Tony DeMarco. He took a lot of punishment to land his own blows.This is how he wore down champion Sugar Ray Robinson on Sept 23 1957, winning the title by a split decision, only to lose to Robinson on March 25 1958. The Onion Man would have to take Carlos Palomino's brutal body punching that ended John H. Stracey's title reign in 1976. Carlos is a slow starter as evidenced in his bouts against Armando Muniz, first fight, and Davey Boy Green, both in 1977. It would be a very close bout as these two would inflict some hurt on each other. Basilio wins a close majority decision, both look as though they both were ejected through the windshield during a car accident.

 

The fans. That's who wins.

And also Basilio.

 

How highly do you rate Basilio George?

 

How ya mean? H2H, P4P or at WW?

 

All 3

 

P4P - #128
WW - #21

H2H is a harder conversation, but since he beat Robi, Graham and gave Gavilán all he could handle, he has to rank high. The best fighter he'd beat is probably a Tito or a Cokes. I don't know. He gives an amazing account of himself with everyone not named Hearns.

His nice left, subtle defence, granite chin and decent pop on his counters make him a ***** at such a pace along with a front running style. Awesome fighter, one of my favourite WWs.

 

Kudos to you for the interesting matchups you're giving us, @Xplosive. Another good one.

I like Basilio in this one. He's underrated from a technical point of view, harder to land cleanly on than he's given credit for even with his feet planted and not just the face-first brawler when he attacks which people claim. Still susceptible to body shots and Palomino's left hook downstairs was a wicked one. But I think while Palomino liked facing aggressive fighters, he struggled with guys who were aggressive and backed it up with technical ability, especially on the inside. Basilio is not as skilled as either Benitez or Duran, but they outclassed Palomino a little by getting close, tying up his left and working intelligently inside. I think Basilio can implement something similar and win by decision, albeit not as wide on the cards (I know one guy had Palomino beating Benitez, but he clearly didn't have his glasses with him that day).

Competitive fight, both hurt a couple of times, lots of action. But I think Basilio has his hand raised at the end.

 

I think he'd out-work Tito, with neither getting a KO. It took a fully fledged middleweight like Fullmer to eventually break Basilio down, and even then he didn't look that hurt and he was past his prime.

Would be an amazing fight, though.

Basilio would clean up house since Floyd retired, and even then he could possibly have been the best in that era. He ain't losing to the old Mosley's, Margarito's and Cotto's at the time.

 

I agree with George, the fans win. And let's be clear. This fight is going 15 rounds with Basilio a close winner.

 

you say 128 can only imagine the time and thought process to pick the 127 above him , well done bud. Was a tad surprised to see him a lowly 21st on your WW rankings, a 2 weight champ, that beat SRR , plus the defeats of DeMarco, decking and giving The Keed all the trouble he could handle, still its in the eye of the beholder. keep well.

 

Actually, both my pound for pound and welterweight views of him have changed. He's sitting pretty around 15 on my welterweight list nowadays, and I think he's around 130 on my pound for pound list? I'd have to check that one. And any pound for pound list is a complete and utter shitshow to make. Once I finish mine, I'm never touching it again.