66 years ago

Date: 25th March 1958

Venue: Chicago Stadium, Chicago, Illinois

Title: World Middleweight Title

Carmen Basilio
( 52 - 12 - 7 )
Weight: 153 lbs

Sugar Ray Robinson
( 141 - 6 - 2 )
Weight: 159¾ lbs

On the evening of Tuesday, March 25, 1958, boxing history was written at Chicago Stadium. With 17,976 spectators eagerly watching, the World Middleweight Title (1st defense by Basilio) fight took place between Ray Robinson and Carmen Basilio. Ray Robinson, residing in Harlem, New York, stepped into the ring with a record of 141-6-2 and weighed in at 159¾ lbs. His opponent, Carmen Basilio, hailed from Canastota, New York, and held a respectable record of 52-12-7 while weighing in slightly lighter at 153 lbs.

The fight, officiated by referee Frank Sikora, saw Ray Robinson defeating Carmen Basilio in a 15-round split decision. The scores, determined by judges John Bray and Franklin Spike McAdams, were 66-69, 71-64, and 72-64 respectively, favoring Robinson. This victory was not easily gained, however. Basilio showed incredible resilience and determination despite the disadvantage of having his left eye swollen shut early in the match.

According to The Associated Press, the damage to Basilio's eye was so severe that by the time the sixth round started, there was barely a slit visible in the champion's puffed eye. Despite the physical hindrance, Basilio fought valiantly, further exemplifying the tenacity and grit that defined his career. This testament to his fighting spirit was not enough to secure victory, however, and Ray Robinson was ultimately declared the winner.

A substantial amount of money was on the line that night, with the gross gate reaching $351,955 and the net gate concluding at $278,108. Each fighter walked away with a generous 30% cut of the net gate, an additional estimated $300,000 from closed-circuit TV revenue, and $30,000 from the national radio broadcast. These sums reflected the significance and the hype that surrounded this legendary rematch.

In the aftermath of the fight, a ringside poll revealed that 28 writers had scored the fight in favor of Robinson, with only one favoring Basilio and another declaring it a draw. 

Robinson's victory solidified his position as one of the most formidable and skilful boxers of his time.