[bill1234]

Sadly, the welterweight great Carmen Basilio passed away this morning in New York at the age of 85.

I litterally had just gotten over the loss of Emanuel Steward, and now one of my all time favorite fighters has died. 2012 has been brutal, absolutely brutal.

I was lucky enough to meet Carmen Basilio multiple times, and each time he was fan friendly and entertaining. The first time I met him, I was hoping to get his autograph (got it), and he eyed the guy up that was right by me, faked a left to the body and smacked him across the face. It was hilarious. Carmen had a very satisfied grin on his face because his little shenanigan was a success but proceeded to sign for the guy, myself, and anyone else who wanted his autograph.

That story occured in 2008, luckily, I was able to also meet him a few other times since then.

As funny and friendly as he was out of the ring, he was a beast in the ring. In the ring, Carmen was one of the strongest ever welterweights but also one of the toughest and most determined. On his thoughts on fighting Robinson, Carmen said "He was taller, faster, bigger, stronger, and punched harder.....but I was going to kick his ass."

As we speak, now that he's passed on, Carmen is likely lining up a 3rd showdown with Robinson.

RIP Carmen.

[fsenties4]

Two-weight great dies aged 85.

It has been announced that former world welterweight and middleweight champion Carmen Basilio has dies aged 85 in Rochester, New York after being hospitalized with pneumonia.

The 'Canastota Clouter,' as he was fondly known, began his career in 1948, winning world belts in 1955 against Tony DeMarco and more famously, against Sugar Ray Robinson in 1957, before retiring in 1961.

President of the Rochester Boxing Hall of Fame, Tony Liccione stated that all were ‘devastated’ as the news of Basilio, who died at Rochester General Hospital at 3am this morning.

[fsenties4]

Damn, 2012 must be one of the worst years for boxing people. Many important people of the sport have died until now.

[fsenties4]

As usual, great post from you Bill.

I didn't notice of your thread and starded a new one with the same topic; sorry about that. You can erase it if you want, we don't need multiple threads for the same thing.

[bill1234]

Originally Posted by fsenties4

Damn, 2012 must be one of the worst years for boxing people. Many important people of the sport have died until now.

Terrible indeed. Angelo Dundee, both Petronelli brothers, Bert Sugar, Corrie Sanders, Emanuel Steward, and now Carmen. I'm sure I'm forgetting some too, seeing how many there have been.

I was lucky enough to meet Angelo Dundee, Bert Sugar, Emanuel Steward, and as I said earlier, Carmen Basilio. 3-4 years ago I took seeing them for granted, but fortunately in 2011 I actually appreciated them being around more and whenever I saw them I made sure to really take it in. Unfortunately, the last time I saw Dundee and Bert Sugar was in June, 2011. The last I saw Carmen was this past June, and I was happy that my grandfather, who has been a fan of his since the 1950s, was able to finally meet him and shake his hand. I last saw Steward about 2 years ago, and had planned on asking him some questions upon our next meeting...which never happened...

[fsenties4]

Originally Posted by bill1234

Terrible indeed. Angelo Dundee, both Petronelli brothers, Bert Sugar, Corrie Sanders, Emanuel Steward, and now Carmen. I'm sure I'm forgetting some too, seeing how many there have been.

Right now I only remember Johnny Tapia.

[Dr. Sweet Science]

Originally Posted by bill1234

Terrible indeed. Angelo Dundee, both Petronelli brothers, Bert Sugar, Corrie Sanders, Emanuel Steward, and now Carmen. I'm sure I'm forgetting some too, seeing how many there have been.

I was lucky enough to meet Angelo Dundee, Bert Sugar, Emanuel Steward, and as I said earlier, Carmen Basilio. 3-4 years ago I took seeing them for granted, but fortunately in 2011 I actually appreciated them being around more and whenever I saw them I made sure to really take it in. Unfortunately, the last time I saw Dundee and Bert Sugar was in June, 2011. The last I saw Carmen was this past June, and I was happy that my grandfather, who has been a fan of his since the 1950s, was able to finally meet him and shake his hand. I last saw Steward about 2 years ago, and had planned on asking him some questions upon our next meeting...which never happened...

This horrible man ...RIP Carmen

Joe Frazier as well

[HUGOBOX]

Great fighter and a lovely man, I view his fights all the time, he was more worthy of earning millions than some of the primadonnas of today !!! REST IN PEACE MR BASILIO