BASILIO, CARMEN ORIGINAL U.S. MARINE CORP SUITCASE (1940'S)

Carmen Basilio (Born Carmine Basilio, April 2, 1927 – November 7, 2012) was an American professional boxer who was the world champion in both the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. He is also famous for defeating the great Sugar Ray Robinson to take the Middleweight title. An iron chinned pressure fighter, Basilio was a combination puncher who had great stamina, and eventually wore many of his opponents down with vicious attacks to the head and body. Basilio was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. The Ring magazine named him Fighter of the Year in 1957, while the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) named him Fighter of the Year in 1955 and 1957. In 2002, Basilio was voted by The Ring magazine as the 40th greatest fighter of the last 80 years. Carmen Basilio served in the United States Marine Corps before turning professional fighter in 1948. Offered here is Carmen Basilio's United States Marine Corps suitcase which was purchased from him and which comes with his signed letter.
This is an original, two tier, brown leather and cloth suitcase. On both sides it is stamped, CARMEN BASILIO CANASTOTA, N.Y. USMC. Leather edges and straps and leather border. Intact, but well worn. One of the two straps is broken. 23" x 15" x 11" deep. LOA from Carmen Basilio.