Why did this fight not happen considering the boxing public demanded it? I know the mob were still a major influence in boxing and Carmen Basilio didn't want nothing to do with them. However if the first two fights went ahead why couldn't the rubbermatch get made? Also with both boxers winning one each what would have happened in the rubbermatch?
The first two were hard fights, a third would have been brutal. I'm going with Basilio getting a split decision for the third, catching Robbo at just the right time.
This is absolutely true. I read up a very detailed story on the negotiations of a 3rd match and Robinson was fielding offers not only from the states but from Rome and Paris as well. He had a solid $500,000 on the table. Unbelievable for a middleweight, but Ray turned his nose up at it. Then there was Paris offering $750,000 and Ray nixed that one as well. Finally, George Gainford, his exasperated manager said, "Ray, what is it that you want?" Ray said, "One million dollars!" Hearing this, every offer was yanked from the table and Ray lost his title to Paul Pender for $50,000.
Yep, all those details are fresh again now. That was what I read in probably the same boxing magazine article. Guess his ego really was that enormous. Plus, he had to have seen the writing on the wall and know that if he wanted to make any money it was going to have to happen right then and there.
