[scribbs]

Carmen Basilio's nephew, Backus won the Title from the legendary Jose Naploes but lost it in a rematch.

Here is a link to a brief profile - Basilio and Billy Backus

An in depth interview - Dan Hanley interviews Backus

Boxrec Record

CBZ Record

 

[scribbs]

V Jose Napoles I - 04/12/1970

 

[scribbs]

V Jose Napoles I - 04/06/1971

 

[scribbs]

V Pipino Cuevas - 20/05/1978

 

[Michael]

Seen a couple of fights of Backus so far, he wasn't a bad fighter, being an awkward, tough and determined slugger. Frequently fell off when facing fighters at the highest level though, and I never did really understand his stoppage victory over the great Napoles either. Considering that he hit Napoles with a fair few butts that most likely caused the cuts on Napoles, I thought the it would have been ruled a no decision. Didn't matter in the end though I suppose though, because Napoles gave him a battering in their rematch.

 

[Sittin Sonny]

Seen a couple of fights of Backus so far, he wasn't a bad fighter, being an awkward, tough and determined slugger.

Backus is a bit underrated IMO - by that, I mean he's nowhere near as terrible as he's made out to be. In both fights with Napoles, he showed a surprising ability to make Napoles miss and counter him. Even in the rematch, he gave Napoles a better fight than most of other WWs around that time, even if only for a few rounds.