Carmen Basilio Was Boxing's Real-Life 'Rocky' Movie Bio Likely Onformer Cham P
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ports Carmen Basilio was boxing's real-life 'Rocky' Movie bio likely on former champ By Mike Latona Staff writer , IRONDEQUOIT — Here's a Rocky who wasn't manufactured in Holly wood. Unlike the heavyweight champion portrayed by Sylvester Stallone, there's no fiction in Carmen Basilio's slow rise from humble beginnings to the pinna cle of the boxing world. Yet one very real similarity does exist between the two: within the next couple of years Basilio could join' Rocky as a featured movie subject. "Carmen Basilio is the real-life Rocky," asserted dose friend Lou But- tino, a St John Fisher College journal ism professor. Basilio and Buttino — who both hail from Canastota, N.Y. — have reached an agreement with the Florida-based Film Producers International studio. When and if enough investors commit toward the movie's estimated budget of $18 million to $20 million, produc tion could begin immediately. "If the right combination (of in Babette Q. Augustln/Photo editor vestors) stepped forward, we'd start In the basement of his Irondequoit home, former world welterweight and middleweight boxing champion Carmen r shooting tomorrow," said Buttino, an silk) is surrounded by paintings, photographs and other memorabilia from his illustrious career. accomplished author who is hoping to emerge either as the movie's creative years and 55 fights to reach the top, silio quipped. consultant or screenplay writer. but finally, on June 10, 1955, the Although he enjoys being on the This movie would most likely play 28-year-old Basilio scored a 12-round move, Basilio doesn't entertain plans up to a network or cable television au knockout over Tony DeMarco in a of abandoning upstate New York. dience — devoid of the profane lan world championship welterweight "No way," he stated. "I want to be guage so abundant in Raging Bull, the bout in Syracuse. around the people I was brought up 1980 hit flick that chronicled the life of Slightly more than two years later, with. You could travel all over the another gritty ex-champion, Jake La- Basilio won the world middleweight world, but there's no place like home." Motta. titie with a 15-round decision over Su Despite his many years in the lime "This studio (Film Producers Inter gar Ray Robinson in front of nearly light, Basilio h&s never let fame go to national) is only interested in PC-rated 50,000 spectators at Yankee Stadium. his head. He answers every one of the movies. They're not into the psychotic Basilio collected a best-ever paycheck numerous autograph requests that still and sex stuff," Buttino commented. of $236,000 for the fight come pouring into his house daily. "Carmen wants the story told with de He retired in 1961 with an overall "You're still a human being, no dif cency, so Hollywood doesn't want to record of 57-16-6, including 27 knock ferent than anyone else," he said. "You touch it" outs. Basilio had battled in nine world have to be good to everybody, because Now 65, the former world welter championship bouts, winning five, and they're the ones who got you there. weight and middleweight champion is was a three-time cover subject of Spqrts nonchalant about the possibility of be Illustrated magazine. "People like me. I enjoy being with coming the subject of a film biography. Upon retiring from the ring, Basilio people, because Fm a people," he "If it happens, it happens. I'm not •maintained a steady work load. For reasoned with a grin. going to worry about it at this stage of "nearly 20 years he was a physical- Basilio was a three-time cover sub / His outgoing personality and strong my life," said Basilio. education instructor at LeMoyne Col ject of Sports Illustrated magazine. work ethic have been Basilio's formula While Basilio's story may lack lege in Syracuse. He began developing for success in all phases of life. Hollywood titillation value, if s a feel ties to Rochester in the early 1960s Basilio enjoys his current lifestyle, "I had the willingness to live a clean good account of a successful boxer when he was hired to represent the which includes traveling the country life and stay in shape," Basilio com whose strength of will enabled him to Genesee Brewing Company; Basilio to play golf with the likes of Joe Di- mented. "It all depends on how badly overcome the frequently violent and still appears on Genesee's behalf at Maggio, with whom he shot 36 holes somebody wants to be something, corrupt world around him. several functions each year. in Florida last winter. whether it's a boxer or doctor or a Born on April 2,1927, Basilio, along Basilio moved from the Syracuse His basement is loaded with photo lawyer. with his three brothers and six sisters, area to Irondequoit in 1987 after mar graphs of himself with such celebrities "You have to live with the sacrifices; grew up on an onion farm in Canas rying his second wife, Josie. They are as DiMaggio, Yogi Berra, Rollie Mas- you've got to pay the price. I told that tota, about 25 miles east of Syracuse. parishioners at Christ the King Church, simino and Phil RLzzuto. to my kids at LeMoyne until I was He began his boxing career while 445 Kings Highway S. "All Irishmen," the craggy-faced Ba blue in the face." serving in the Marine Corps, and tur ned professional in 1948. It took seven THE FINEST IN AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES ^V One of these days, • REAR WINDOW DEFOGGERS BARTOLOMEO Automatic • CELLULAR TELEPHONES FUNERAL HOME, INC. Speed Control You'll wish you POWER DOOR LOCKS had invested in AIR CONDITIONING These custom • CRUISE CONTROL control modules a Code-Alarm SOUND SYSTEMS duplicate the fac With auto theit at record levels, you • AUTOMATIC tory controjs in deserve the best protection available HEADLIGHT corporating set CODE-ALARM systems provide total speed, resume, security and arc easy to use. SYSTEMS accel, deel, or • ALARM Peter W. Giullan. Jj. Philip P. Penmo Michael P. Perono coast. CODEvlLARM SYSTEMS Personalized service in the community NATIONWIDE • DELAY WARRANTY since 1922. Lifetime WIPERS 1425 Lexington Avenue Rochester. 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