Canastota Boxing Hero Carmen Basilio Passes Away

Flags at the Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota are at half-mast with the death of Carmen Basilio.  Nicknamed, the "Upstate Onion Farmer," Basilio died at Rochester General Hospital this morning at the age of 85.  A 3-time champion, he was best known for defeating Sugar Ray Robinson.  Check out the video highlights of his win over Sugar Ray Robinson.

“Carmen put Canastota on the worldwide boxing map and gave the village’s residents a sense of pride that couldn’t be matched anywhere in the world,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy.  “During the 1950s and 1960s Carmen was everyone’s hero. They talked about him in the coffee shops, grocery stores, gas stations and barbershops all the time. And they still talk about him today.

Basilio was born in Canastota April 2, 1927.  He won the welterweight world title twice, 1955 and 1956.  He was best known for the "fight of the year" in 1957 when Basilio defeated Sugar Ray Robinson for the world welterweight title at Yankee Stadium.  Highlights from that fight are in the video below.  He had a career record of 56-16-7 and was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990.

Learn more about Basilio's career and see photo highlights here.

SOURCE: Boxing Hall of Fame