The Resume

(April 2, 1927-November 7, 2012)
Born in Canastota, New York
Birth name was Carmine Basilio
56 wins (27 by KO), 16 losses, 7 draws
World Welterweight Champion (June 10, 1955-March 14, 1956; September 12, 1956-September 23, 1957)
World Middleweight Champion (September 23, 1957-March 25, 1958)
Won his middleweight tile from Sugar Ray Robinson (and lost the title to Robinson in a rematch)
Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year (1957)
Inaugural member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame (1990)

Why he might be annoying:

One of his nicknames was the less than intimidating 'the Upstate Onion Farmer.'
He made three unsuccessful attempts to regain the middleweight title.
Late in life, he was diagnosed with brain damage and admitted he stayed in the ring too long.
He said, 'You learn how to fight with five older sisters.'

Why he might not be annoying:

He also had the more impressive nickname 'the Canastota Clouter.'
He was a fan favorite for his willingness to go toe-to-toe with other fighters.
He was a participant in five consecutive Ring Magazine Fights of the Year (1955-59).
Boxing analyst Larry Merchant said, 'He was as tough as they come. You shook his hand and it was like shaking a steel bar.'
He became a physical education teacher after leaving the ring.
He said the day his nephew Billy Backus won the welterweight title (1970) was better than either of his own two championships.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame was built in his hometown.

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Boxers
• Boxing Hall of Famers (Ranked: 1990)
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 45]
• Celebrities Born on the Same Date [April] (Ranked: 4021927)
• Hickok Belt Winners (Ranked: 1957)
• I am a U.S. Marine
• I am Left Handed - Male [A-G]
• I Died in 2012 (Ranked: 85)
• I Have a Pacemaker
• I Took Too Many Shots to the Head
• Look at Me, I'm in Agony
• Profiles 33501-33750 (Ranked: 33675)
• Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year (Ranked: 1957)
• Teachers

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 4 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 33 Votes: 12.12% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 4 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 15 Votes: 53.33% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 12 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 78 Votes: 71.79% Annoying