Carmen Basilio?

I watched Basilio quite a few times in the late 50's and early sixties.

Obviously not the greatest in boxing technique.....but very few had a greater will to win.

 

I use to talk with Basilio on occasion, and he told me that Ray Robinson didn't fight him a third time because " ...he knew I would've kicked his ass."

I was a young at the time, and would call him fairly late. Sometimes his wife would answer, and say he was watching the news. He always called me back when he said he would. He is a person of his word.

I don't know that Basillio wanted Robinson a 3rd time. Well, I do know he wanted him, just don't think he would've been successful.

I do think Basilio is everything that Ricky Hatton aspires to be.

 

Rekcutnevets, good personal insight on the "Onion Farmer".

One All-time Great Boxers book quoted Gene Fullmer as saying:
"Carmen & I respected each other, but we both hated Robinson."

 

That's interesting, Longhorn71.

I wonder if that was from style differences, or business dealings.

 

They both thought Robinson was an egotistical "A-H".

Other posters have got similar and more detailed info than me.
(I think someone talked about the business end of it)