Carmen Basilio, a welterweight and middleweight world champion in the 1950s known for two epic fights with Sugar Ray Robinson, died on Wednesday at the age of 85.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame, located in Basilio’s hometown of Canastota, New York, said Basilio died in hospital in Rochester, New York.
“During the 1950s and 1960s Carmen was everyone’s hero,” Hall of Fame executive director Edward Brophy said. “They talked about him in the coffee shops, grocery stores, gas stations and barbershops all the time.
“And they still talk about him today. He was loved, respected and idolized. His career and memories will last forever in the Village of Canastota.”
Basilio, who was born in Canastota on April 2, 1927, twice won the welterweight world title, first from Tony DeMarco in 1955 and then from Johnny Saxton in 1956.
He beat Robinson for the middleweight world crown in 1957, stepping up in weight to challenge Robinson in a marquee match at Yankee Stadium and emerging from the brutal encounter with a split decision victory.
