Sugar Ray Robinson vs Carmen Basilio

On Monday, 23rd September 1957, a historic clash took place at Yankee Stadium. Ray Robinson, with a record of 141-5-2, was defending his Middleweight Title for the first time in his fourth reign. Weighing in at a solid 160 lbs, Robinson was considered the pound-for-pound best fighter in boxing. However, Carmen Basilio, boasting a record of 51-12-7, was not to be underestimated. Despite being the lighter of the two at 153½ lbs, Basilio was known for his relentless fighting spirit and unyielding tenacity.

A crowd of 38,072 boxing fans descended on Yankee Stadium to witness this highly anticipated battle. The gross gate for the event stood at a remarkable $566,467, with the net gate totalling $481,417. This was a clear reflection of the excitement for the match among fans and boxing aficionados alike. The fight didn't only capture the attention of those in the stadium; more than 170 theaters across 39 states and Canada broadcast the match on closed-circuit television, extending its reach far beyond the confines of Yankee Stadium.

The fighters were rewarded handsomely for their showdown. Robinson took home a whopping $483,666, while Basilio's purse totalled $211,679. However, there was a significant financial hiccup for Robinson. The federal government filed a notice of levy on $514,000 of his income in order to collect anticipatory taxes, a notable hit to his earnings from the fight.

The match was marked by a striking display of skill and resilience from both fighters. After a gruelling 15 rounds, Carmen Basilio emerged victorious by a split decision (Al Berl 6-9, Ait Aadi 9-5, Bill Recht 8-6). It was Basilio, the former world welterweight champion who rose to the challenge and emerged as the victor.

Opinion among the sportswriters in attendance was divided. Of 47 sportswriters at ringside, 26 believed Basilio had rightfully earned his win, while 17 thought Robinson should have been declared the victor. Four saw it as an even match. These differences of opinion were a testament to the closely-fought nature of the bout.

Ultimately, the Robinson-Basilio fight was named The Ring Magazine's Fight of the Year for 1957, a fitting tribute to a match that has since been etched into the annals of boxing history.