Well, Rocky had the power, but Carmen was tougher and would survive Rocky's shots and out last him for a 15 round decision, which, in the last 3 rounds, would be something of a beat-down, with Graziano being lucky to make to the bell at the end of 15.
Basilio takes the early onslaught and takes Rocky till about the 7th and starts to take over. Basilios relenting assualt ends in the 12th with Graziano on the ground dripping in blood with a beat up face and hes desperatly trying to get up but cant make it in time for '10'
Both guys were very good fighters but Basilio had that extra toughness from spending his younger days in the onion fields. Basilio finishes Rocky in the 12th.
I go with the consensus. Basilio outlasts him. Despite being known as a face fighter by some, Basilio was much better defensively than Graziano, who was a real face fighter.
I'll be the devil's advocate and go with Rocky. Carmen was tough, Rocky was bigger. Throw all that in the mix, and the result is Graziano either by late stoppage or decision. His harder punches would be the tiebreaker IMO.
Basilio had respectable power and Rocky didnt have the greatest of chins, Basilio was tough as old boots i dont see him getting stopped maybe dropped but not stopped, as Graziano wasnt that big of a middle he was more a light middle
