A very interesting matchup between Henry Armstrong and Carmen Basillio at 147 pounds, at their best ,15 rounds. Two men of IRON, both never taking a backstep, in a WaaaaR ! Who survives in your eyes ?
Basilio at 147 beats Armstrong in a time machine.... Armstrong was better off south of 145 without doubt.... Basilio was leaned and peaked at 147....... MR.BILL
Armstrong. He was a class above the likes of Basilio. Basilio was too much of a 'catcher', his defence was almost non-existent. He's become ridiculously overrated.
Burt, I think this is a great fight. Remember posting on this match-up awhile back and everyone kinda sorta considered it was a walkover for Basilio due to size and strength. Basilio was hell on wheels at welter...But the thing with Armstrong was that he was quick enough with his feet to close distance, and short enough to be able to get underneath an opponent and drive them back...Kinda like Micheal Strahan getting underneath the much larger John Runyun and pushing him back. Armstrong used leverage. I think he could do this against Basilio, because he did it to everybody. This would be a war.
dp, I tend to agree with you...If Armstrong could do it with a tough and bigger Ceferino Garcia, than he was big enough to do the same with Carmen Basillio. Of course Zivic [who I saw], whipped Armstrong, but styles make horceraces, as they say... By the way,what a fight that would have been between Fritzie Zivic [ mean S.B.] , and tough Carmen Basillio !!! No job for referee Joe Cortez ...
Burt, Not really sure I can pull the trigger and say Armstrong would win, but I think it would be closer than people think...I think Basilio would beat Garcia in a tough fight...(IMO) Basilio is much more technically sound with his offense. He would get off better, with shorter shots, beating Garcia to the punch...I'd like Basilio to beat Garcia by decision.
Gotta go with Basilio. Size and strength make the difference. Basilio was extremely powerful at 147. Armstrong was the better overall fighter but in this fight he might have bitten off more than he could chew.
Armstrong with his tenacity gives Basilio a run for his money, but the Onion Farmer will ultimately prevail. At 147, he's the bigger man with the skills and the power necessary to eventually put down the homicidal fireball. It's one hell of a fight that almost goes the distance.
