FULLMER BEATS BASILIO

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29245, 1 July 1960, Page 19

FULLMER BEATS BASILIO

Offer To Fight Ray Robinson

(N.Z Press. Association—Copyright) SALT LAKE CITY, June 30. Gene Fullmer, twice the ’conqueror of Carmen Basilio, will defend his National Boxing Association version of the world middle-weight crown against Sugar Ray Robinson in October if Robinson will accept reasonable terms. Fullmer announced this today while accepting congratulations for his impressive second technical knock-out victory over the former champion, Basilio, in their return title bout last night. 'Tye got something I want to settle with Robinson.” said Fullmer. “He’s the only man who ever knocked me out. I want to return the favour.” Fullmer won the undisputed title from Robinson on a decision at New York, in January. 1957. Robinson recaptured it on a fifth round knock-out at Chicago four months later. Fullmer’s manager, Mr M. Jenson, said today: “Yes, the Robinson fight is the one we want in October if Sugar Ray will remember that he was beaten in his last two fights by Paul Pender and accept reasonable terms.” The fight may take place in New York, but the New York commission recognises Paul Pender as title-holder. “Pender won’t fight outside Boston, and we certainly wouldn’t go into his home bailiwick for a fight. If Pender wants to challenge Fullmer in Salt Lake City or in some neutral city in N.B.A. territory, the match might be made.” Mr Jenson said. Fullmer not only out-punched Basilio last night but he actually out-boxed him, and gave perhaps the most impressive performance in his career of 57 fights, as he registered his fifty-second victory and his twenty-third knock-out. Fullmer, aged 28. weight list s?lb. to list 2jlb for Basilio. The referee stopped the bout in the twelfth round because Basilio had been battered into helplessness after having been floored in the eighth round. Fullmer was well ahead on points on the score sheets of the referee and both judges.