The International Boxing Hall of Fame had the sad duty this morning to announce the death of Upstate New York Boxing Legend Carmen Basilio. The 85 year old had been in declining health in recent years. Joe Nittler spoke with Hall Executive Director Ed Brophy this afternoon.
In the ring he won 56 of 79 fights. He won his first world title in Syracuse in 1955 in the welterweight class, in 1957 he moved up to middle weight and won the world title after a punishing fight with an aging Sugar Ray Robinson. Basilio grew up in Canastota.
