CANASTOTA, NY — There are artifacts aplenty at the International Boxing Hall of Fame, with a colorful, action-packed deep dive into the sport — from John L. Sullivan to Jersey Joe Wolcott, from Sugar Ray Robinson and Sugar Ray Leonard to Bert Sugar.
Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus, too.
Heck, they are deeply rooted in this village of about 5,000 people, located in the center of the state of New York. Long known as an onion-growing town, this is now, locals claim, Title Town USA, as the town produced two boxing champions: Basilio and Backus.
Born in 1927, Basilio was the world champion in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions, beating Sugar Ray Robinson for the latter title. He was The Ring magazine Fighter of the Year in 1957 and the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) Fighter of the Year in 1955 and 1957. Plus,
