"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Carmen Basilio

Carmen Basilio (April 2, 1927- November 7, 2012) was a two weight class world champion, who began his boxing career in 1948 in Binghampton, New York.  His first professional match was against Jimmy Evans, whom he knocked out in the first round of their bout.  He went 19-3-2 in his career in New York, losing to Connie Thies by way of decision in 1949.
Basilio then took his talents out of New York and on to New Orleans in 1953, where things began to get better for him.  He began winning big fights and found his way moving up in the Welterweight division.  In 1954, Basilio went undefeated in eight bouts and in 1955, he KO'd Tony Demarco, becoming World Champion.
His next fight against Johnny Saxton was allegedly "fixed" by Saxton's manager, Frank "Blinky" Palermo, with Basilio losing his championship title by way of decision in the 15th round.  Basilio and Saxton had an immediate rematch, in which Basilio regained his title with a 9th round knockout.
But Basilio's most notable bout was against the aging 37 year old Middleweight Champion Sugar Ray Robinson.  He won Robinson's Middleweight Championship on September 23, 1957.  Ultimately, Robinson defeated Basilio in their second meeting, and from then on, Basilio fought in spurts until his retirement in 1961.
In the late 1990's, Basilio became ill, and underwent a triple bypass heart surgery.  Carmen Basilio was a great athlete and a major credit to the history of boxing.

"Logic Behind the Leather" Who Are They: Billy Backus

Harold William Backus, better known to the boxing world and boxing fans worldwide as, Billy Backus, is a former world boxing champion and nephew of famed boxing legend Carmen Basilio.

Backus started his career with a rocky record, only winning 7 of his first 19 bouts. But in 1964, Backus went on a 4 fight winning streak, ultimately suffering another 3 fight loss. After losing a bout on his 22nd birthday, Backus retired with his record consisting of 7 wins, 7 losses and 3 draws. He resumed his boxing career in 1966, scoring a knockout against Tod Purtell, in his first bout back after retiring. His career went uphill from there, as Backus went on a 7 fight wining streak. His streak was broken by fellow boxer Percy Pugh, but soon went on another streak of winning 8 in a row.

After his last winning streak, Backus became a top ten Welterweight challenger at number 10. In 1970, Backus was chosen by then champ, Jose Napoles, who had an optional defense of his world title, to compete against. Napoles and his camp thought Backus was the perfect "tune up guy" and a easy target. During their bout, Backus landed a punch that opened a cut over Napoles' eye that caused the fight to be stopped in the 4th round. Backus won by TKO, and became the new Welterweight Champion. In a rematch, Napoles KO'd Backus in the 8th round of their bout and regained his title.

Backus' career went on a up and down roller-coaster ride after 1971. After losing and then winning bouts, Backus became the number one challenger elected by the WBA Welterweight Championship. One draw and one knockout later, Backus announced his retirement. Backus went on to become a correctional officer, retiring in 2006 and is currently living in South Carolina.