Evening star., 1961-01-09
WIN, LOSE OR
DRAW >, FRANCE, ,rAuu
The CIock-Wotcher

ONCE UPON TIME the three-minute round was too
short for Carmen Baso Clocks were the tools Of the
enemy, who had limit to endurance. The foe might
have been bigger ceverer harder hitting but Carmen
had seemingly superhuman stamina
But in Madison Square Garden last Saturday night
Baso became cock-wacher He stole dangerously long
looks at the big timepiece the wall He lucky as
his eyes roamed that 1t wasn't Sugar Ray Robinson of old
In the ring with him.
This was the mark Of an aging and tired fighter Out
wardy It seemed to be Basos only concession to his
years and the toll taken by many hard fights He
putting on eyecatching urres not flying recklessy into
thunderheads Of bone and leather with the feeling that
he couldn't be shaken up.
The chinks in his armor had been exposed by Gene
Fulmer, who had stopped the onion farmer In his last
two fights In the back Of his mind could hear his
friends who had advised him to retire But have
thought to himself Well they're probably right but how
else do pick up $4,000 in one night or even in year?
y 3, >.+.ts .-.
u HE WON HIS COMEBACK battle from Gaspar Ortega
by unanimous decision and at times he seemed to show
flashes Of the form that him the welter and middle
weight titles But enthusiasm for his showing must be
tempered by the that Oreea the Mexican
o hand-picked opponent selected with care.
Basiio could have fought Denny Meyer, instead but
ortegsa style better for him. oaspar eight
younger but lacked power He was taller but this all
right, too because Carmen hooks well to the body and
the Mexican has been known to slow up under punish
ment to the midsection Ortega welterweight but
any edge In speed nufied by his established willing
ness TO abandon the scientific approach and mix It,
Asa test to determine whether Baslio could return
TO the welter division 1t travesy Only the naive
bought that pre-fght publicity line. Carmen had ball
iooned 70 1914 pounds when he stepped the scales
full 2 pounds over the limit and nearly five pounds
heavier than specified in the contract
He couldn't care less about the suspension he will draw
in New York temporary ban only hurts the very active
fighters.
AT HIS PEAK Basilio never more than l47-
FOUNDER but few weers champions become wealthy
The middeweight division was where the big money was
to be made and Carmen took some Of IT. But in the
winning losing the pound title he absorbed
some fearful punishment.
His first fight with Robinson In which he dethroned
Sugar Ray was study in courage and endurance This
was in 1857, and, although Robinson was bigger and
stronger nothing he could do dsmayed Baslio The
ond fight staged ut Chicago In 1885, losing battle for
but his performance least distinguished
He fought with one eye shut tight the last half Of
the brutal affair He couldn't Robinson clearly but
he never stopped walking toward him. At the end Baslio
the loser left the ring under his power Robinson
was half-led, half-carred to his dressing room and
couldn't wouldn't talk to reporters until the next day.
BAsnIos FRIENDS SAY this Is the night he should
have retired Garments rebuttal II don't hear any Of e
mentioning $l5,000-a-year job" But his friends
right in sense The second battle with Robinson left
Carmen hollow she'll Fulmer dull, prodding strong
boy Of middleweight, stopped him twice in q row.
Pride and stubbotness also drive Basilo, who is
sensitive man inside For years he has disiked If not
hated Robinson In the ring Saturday night when Sugar
Ray introduced, Carmen turned his back on him.
couple of years ago Basilio alegedy turned down
$23S,0o0 purse for third fight with Robinson.
For the Ortega bout he reportedy earned 800 from
Tv plus 80 per cent Of the live gate This is about tops
the weterweight level But Robinson, also old and
robbed Of his one-tne skis but legitimate middle
weight will be paid approximately $4,000 for fighting
Fulmer third time on February 25