Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-03-25
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW ;, FRANCIS ,rApp
Champion in All Remotches

TAMPA, FLA, Mar. Eventually the bells will toll
for Sugar Ray Robinson the fighter, but perhaps
Is not the time to call the turn In Chicago Stadium to-
night Carmen Basilo will be favored to defend his mid
dleweght title but Robinson 81 years old according the
record book has big thing going for him. He's
lost to the same man twice.
This factor so than the legend that Chicago
has been lucky for Robinson and unlucky for Basilo
must be in the rugged ex-onon farmers mind. How do
you fight man who, after nearly IS years and 149 pro
battles still appears to have the knack of licking any
queror in a rematch?
Ever since October A. 1940 when Sugar Ray made his
professional debut Robinson has lost only fights Only
two did he not avenge.
Sugar Ray did not take Joey Maxim after his 1852
collapse in the heat in New York Rather after perhaps
unwisely seeking the heavyweight title Robinson
announced his retirement Then for reasons of his own,
Robinson did not fight return with Tiger Jones, who
beat him in 1855 after Sugar had been retired two years
But the other Commensurate LaMotta Randy Tur-
pin and Gene Fumer-he handled in rematches And
tonight it's BaSos turn to if of that old magic
remains in Robinson's fists.
1T WAS WAY BACK in 1943, after Sugar Ray had
won his first 40 pro fights and included LaMotta among
his victims, that Jake decision in Detroit to
RobnSons record Next time they met Robinson not only
licked Jake but did it two times by the fall of 945
Now Robinson his way to streak Of 81 bouts
without defeat This to end WHEN Sugar Ray,
having ball for himself in Europe, crossed the English
Channel to meet the unframed Randy Turpin in London
July TO- 1851. Turpn, hungry excarniva fighter
the decision and dethroned the champion.
Randy didn't keep the title long Two months later,
Sugar Ray stopped the Brtsher in the Polo Grounds
People were of mind that Robinson all finished
when Gene Fulmer unSylish journeyan out of Utah.
won 15round decision and the title January g. 1857 In
his glory days. Robinson wouldn't have permitted Fullmer
to musS his hair-do
Hes had it," the consensus.
On May l. 1857 Sugar threw left hook that almost
took of Fulmers head He champion agan-for the
fourth time.
THERE is CONSIDERABLE doubt as to whether
Basilio unhinged Robinson last September g. It was
split decision and because Carmen the smaller and
perhaps the more popular Of the combaantS, great
furore raised Even Sugar Ray didn't protest the
verdict AS he comes up to tonght battle Rays quotes
are interesting.
ST had Basio in trouble five times and couldn't put him
away" Robinson says But learn something in every
fight" Those could be ominous words
Carmen, who spent the early part of his training in
Florida, left with the comment that he fully expects
Robinson to cut him He'll butt just like he did in
the first fght" BaSilio predicted
Doesn't that worry you?" he was asked. AFTER all,
you've spilled some blood in your days"
"oh, no." Carmen said "I butt him right back. Rays
spilled few drops of blood himself"
IF CHART fighter may be read like one on a
racehorse Basio most dangerous minutes may be the
first nine or An interesting If overlooked fact that
Sugar Ray has scored than half of his 81 knockoutS
in three rounds or less.
Because few of his victims were of the calber of
Basilo had Carmens determination perhaps break
down not of any great import Just for the record
ever Robinson stopped 20 of his victims in the first
round IA in the second is in the third the fourth
in the fifth and in the sixth
1t could be Sugars plan 60 all out in the first six
rounds He taller and heavier and masterful than
Basilo. He has yet to fight who defeated him
and not win.
On the other hand, Basilo seems to like being the
middleweisht champion Ths paydayS when they arrive
are pretty good. -