Memories of a Central NY Sports Legend
I am in no way a big boxing fan, but I did come to appreciate the history of the sport and its legends when I worked at the Oneida Radio station. During my 5 years there, I had the opportunity to volunteer my services to the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota during their induction weekend on numerous occasions.
As MC of different events, I had the chance to meet some of the sport's greatest, including Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Willie Pep, Sugar Ray Leonard, the Spinks brothers, Floyd Patterson, Emile Griffiths, Bert Sugar and many others including Canastota's own Carmen Basilio who had two memorable bouts with Sugar Ray Robinson. The Boxing Hall is located in Canastota because it is Basilio's hometown along with another of the sport's greats, Billy Backus.
It was with a fair amount of sadness that I read that Basilio had passed away recently, and it brought back memories of the couple of times I was able to chat with him at the Hall. He was a nice guy and a classy champion who will be missed by the boxing world and especially by his friends in my daughter's hometown of Canastota.
By all means, do visit the Boxing Hall of Fame....it's less than an hour away, and if you can, attend the induction ceremony in June. Many surviving champions make the trip every year, and they are very accessible to their fans.
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