By Alexz Yzerman
Former welterweight and middleweight champion Carmen Basilio passed away earlier this morning at Rochester General Hospital in New York. Basilio is perhaps best remembered to boxing fans for his victories in classic fights against Tony DeMarco and Sugar Ray Robinson.
According to International Boxing Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy, Basilio died from pneumonia.
Known as “The Onion Farmer” due to his family’s agricultural background, Basilio was a professional from 1948-1961. His peak came from 1955-1958 which included his TKO victory over DeMarco where he claimed the welterweight title. During their rematch that same year, Demarco again was knocked out by Basilio in a fight that was awarded the RING Magazine Fight of the Year.
In 1956 Johnny Saxton would claim the title with a unanimous decision only to have Basilio reclaim it by knockout later in the year.
In 1957 and 1958 Basilio would again receive Fight of the Year honors for his two epic encounters with the legendary Sugar Ray Robinson. In the first bout he came on strong down the stretch, capturing a split decision victory. The rematch saw the tables turned as Robinson claimed the victory by split decision. During the fight, an uppercut by Robinson caused grotesque swelling to the eye of Basilio. Basilio refused to quit, however, just barely losing the fight when the final tallies were read. The rubber match was unfortunately never to be as a dispute over money prevented the sides from coming to terms.
His final career record stood at 56-16-7, with 27 KO’s. After his time in the ring, he became a PE teacher at a small college in Syracuse, before eventually settling down in Irondequoit, NY. His hometown of Canstota will fly their flags at half mast in tribute to their fallen son.
If you never got a chance to see Basilio in action, check out these videos:
