Billy Backus

Last updated

Billy Backus
Born
Harold William Backus

(1943-03-05) March 5, 1943 (age 82)
Canastota, New York
NationalityAmerican
Statistics
Weight(s) Welterweight
Stance Southpaw
Boxing record
Total fights73
Wins48
Wins by KO22
Losses20
Draws5

Billy Backus, (born March 5, 1943) is an American former Undisputed World Welterweight Champion professional boxer. [1] In the summer of 2006 Backus retired from his correctional facility job and moved to South Carolina. [2]

Contents

Early boxing career

Backus, who is the nephew of boxing legend and former world champion Carmen Basilio, started his career by winning only 7 of his first 19 bouts. In 1964, things looked promising when he won four bouts in a row, but then he suffered a three fight losing streak. At this point of his career, he had a record of 8 wins, 7 losses and 3 draws and he retired from boxing. To make things worse, he had lost his last fight, against Rudy Richardson, on his twenty-second birthday.

Rise to prominence

Backus resumed his boxing career in 1966, but probably never in his wildest dreams could he have envisioned what happened next: in his comeback bout, he knocked out Tod Purtell in the first round, and that marked his embarcation on a seven-fight winning streak that included avenging an earlier loss to Dick French. That streak was broken by a defeat at the hands of Percy Pugh in New Orleans, but soon he started on another winning streak, eight in a row, including two over Pugh. Then, Pugh broke his winning streak once again, beating him in 15 rounds, once again at New Orleans. After splitting two fights with Jerry Pellegrini and drawing in four rounds with Ricky Ortiz, Backus embarked on another winning streak, including an eight-round knockout over Ortiz in a rematch.

World Welterweight Title Bout

After that last streak, Backus was ranked among the top ten Welterweight challengers of the world at number 10. The year was 1970 and Mexico's José Nápoles had earned the right to make an optional defense of his world title (meaning he could pick any challenger among the top ten to defend against). His management, figuring they'd have an easy fight ahead of them, picked Backus as the challenger for this optional title bout. But Backus landed a punch that opened a cut over Nápoles' eye in round one, causing Nápoles to bleed profusely, and the fight was stopped in round four. Since the cut had been ruled to be caused by a punch, Backus was declared winner by a technical knockout, and he had realized a dream that many fans never thought he would: he had become the world's Welterweight champion. His uncle Basilio, watching from ringside, said: "Billy winning the world title is the best thing ever to happen in my life, even better than me winning the world title."

Billy won two non-title fights, including one over Robert Gallois in Paris, and then had a rematch with Nápoles in Los Angeles. This time Nápoles returned the favor, knocking Backus out in the eighth round and regaining his title.

Career decline

He finished 1971 with a ten-round decision win over Jose Gabino, and went 3–2 in 1972, losing two fifteen-round decisions to world title challenger Hedgemon Lewis. He lost 3 of 4 bouts in 1973, and went on a European tour in 1974, winning 2 and losing 2 in Paris and Berlin. In 1975, he went to Australia and lost by a knockout in five to Rocky Mattioli, and then he came back to the States, where he beat Marc Gervais by a knockout in ten. This marked the start of another 9 fight winning streak, which led the WBA to make him their number one challenger. After drawing in twelve rounds with Everaldo Acosta Acevedo, he had a chance at regaining the world welterweight title when faced against world champion Pipino Cuevas of Mexico, once again in Los Angeles. After losing by quitting on his stool in the first round, Backus then announced his retirement from boxing for good.

Although he isn't a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame (unlike his uncle Basilio, who is), in 1990, Ed Brophy and some Canastota businessmen came up with the idea to build the hall of fame in Canastota, to honor Canastota's two native world champions: Basilio and Backus.

In 2010, the award nominated "Title Town USA, Boxing in Upstate New York" by noted historian Mark Allen Baker was published by The History Press in 2010 and supports Canastota, New York as the epicenter of Upstate New York's rich boxing heritage. The book includes chapters on both Carmen Basilio and Billy Backus. The introduction was written by Edward P. Brophy, Executive Director of the International Boxing Hall of Fame .

Backus had a final record of 48 wins, 20 losses and 5 draws, with 22 wins by knockout.

Professional boxing record

74 fights49 wins20 losses
By knockout235
By decision2615
Draws5
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRoundDateLocationNotes
74Loss49–20–5 Pipino Cuevas RTD1 (15)May 20, 1978Forum, Inglewood, California, US For WBA welterweight title
73Draw49–19–5 Everaldo Costa Azevedo SD12November 19, 1977War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
72Win49–19–4Joe GrierUD10August 25, 1977War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
71Win48–19–4Rafael RodriguezUD12June 3, 1977War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
70Win47–19–4Roy BarrientosUD10April 8, 1977War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
69Win46–19–4Justice OrtizUD10January 27, 1977War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
68Win45–19–4Tony LopesTKO9 (10)November 20, 1976War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
67Win44–19–4Pablo RodriguezUD10September 11, 1976Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
66Win43–19–4Jose Papo MelendezUD10May 28, 1976Colonie Coliseum, Latham, New York, US
65Win42–19–4 Angel Robinson Garcia UD10April 3, 1976War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
64Win41–19–4Pablo RodriguezUD10January 24, 1976War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
63Win40–19–4Marc GervaisKO10 (10)August 23, 1975Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, US
62Loss39–19–4 Rocky Mattioli TKO5 (10)April 11, 1975Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
61Loss39–18–4 Eckhard Dagge TKO3 (10)June 20, 1974 Germany
60Win39–17–4Jacques KechichianRTD5 (10)April 30, 1974 Paris, France
59Loss38–17–4 Roger Menetrey PTS12March 18, 1974Palais des Sports, Paris, France, France
58Win38–16–4Roger ZamiTKO9 (10)January 21, 1974Palais des Sports, Paris, France, France
57Loss37–16–4Zovek BarajasTKO3 (10)December 6, 1973Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
56Win37–15–4Al RomanoKO3 (10)August 4, 1973Three Rivers Inn, Syracuse, New York, US
55Loss36–15–4Miguel BarretoMD12August 4, 1973Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
54Loss36–14–4Jack TillmanUD12February 13, 1973Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, USFor WBA North American welterweight title
53Loss36–13–4 Hedgemon Lewis UD15December 8, 1972War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US For NYSAC welterweight title
52Win36–12–4Dorman CrawfordTKO8 (10)September 23, 1972War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
51Loss35–12–4 Hedgemon Lewis UD15June 6, 1972War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US For vacant NYSAC welterweight title
50Win35–11–4Danny McAloonUD12April 14, 1972War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
49Win34–11–4Irish Pat MurphyTKO7 (10)February 12, 1972War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
48Win33–11–4Jose GabinoUD10December 10, 1971War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
47Loss32–11–4 José Nápoles TKO8 (15)June 4, 1971Forum, Inglewood, California, US Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
46Win32–10–4Robert GalloisMD10March 15, 1971Palais des Sports, Paris, France, France
45Win31–10–4Bobby WilliamsUD12January 23, 1971War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
44Win30–10–4 José Nápoles TKO4 (15)December 3, 1970War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
43Win29–10–4Denny StilettoKO8 (10)October 3, 1970War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
42Win28–10–4Manuel GonzalezUD10July 22, 1970War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
41Win27–10–4Frank SteeleUD10June 15, 1970War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
40Win26–10–4Manuel BurgoUD10March 24, 1970War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
39Win25–10–4Ricky OrtizTKO8 (10)January 30, 1970War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US Won New York State welterweight title
38Draw24–10–4Ricky OrtizMD10October 31, 1969War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
37Win24–10–3Jerry PellegriniUD10September 19, 1969War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
36Loss23–10–3Jerry PellegriniUD10July 21, 1969Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
35Loss23–9–3Percy PughUD15June 16, 1969Rivergate Exhibition Hall, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
34Win23–8–3Percy PughUD12April 25, 1969War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
33Win22–8–3CL LewisTKO7 (10)March 17, 1969War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
32Win21–8–3Percy PughSD12January 24, 1969War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
31Win20–8–3Freddie CobbTKO5 (10)December 14, 1968War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
30Win19–8–3Vince ShomoTKO8 (10)November 16, 1968War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
29Win18–8–3Johnny BrooksUD10October 7, 1968Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
28Win17–8–3Curtis PhillipsTKO7 (10)September 14, 1968War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
27Win16–8–3Jerry PellegriniSD10July 29, 1968Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
26Loss15–8–3Percy PughUD10June 3, 1968Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
25Win15–7–3Dick FrenchTKO6 (10)May 19, 1968War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
24Win14–7–3Danny AndrewsUD10April 6, 1968War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
23Win13–7–3Juan RamosUD10February 10, 1968War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
22Win12–7–3Gene HerrickTKO6 (10)November 30, 1967Portland, Maine, US
21Win11–7–3Curtis PhillipsTKO6 (10)November 24, 1967War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
20Win10–7–3Ernie RobbinsKO3 (6)October 23, 1967Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
19Win9–7–3Tod PurtellKO1 (?)October 16, 1967Worcester, Massachusetts, US
18Loss8–7–3Rudy RichardsonUD8May 5, 1965War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
17Loss8–6–3Billy AndersonPTS10October 30, 1964War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
16Loss8–5–3Genaro SotoPTS6July 17, 1964Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
15Win8–4–3Colin FraserUD10May 19, 1964War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
14Win7–4–3Lew AndersonTKO5 (8)April 18, 1964War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
13Win6–4–3Dave HiltonKO7 (8)February 29, 1964War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
12Win5–4–3Colin FraserRTD5 (8)February 1, 1964War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
11Loss4–4–3Billy AndersonUD8December 19, 1963Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
10Loss4–3–3Fernand ChretienUD10August 2, 1963Saint Anthony's Club, New Castle (Shawtown), Delaware, US
9Loss4–2–3Dick FrenchUD8February 28, 1963Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
8Draw4–1–3Marcel BizienPTS8January 23, 1963Plaza Ballroom, Paterson, New Jersey, US
7Draw4–1–2Mike CortezPTS4December 22, 1962Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
6Loss4–1–1Luis Aponte OrtizPTS4November 24, 1962Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, US
5Win4–0–1Barney BarnezPTS4June 22, 1962Totowa, New Jersey, US
4Win3–0–1Steve GesslerPTS6June 6, 1962Saint-Jerome, Quebec, Canada
3Draw2–0–1Sugar LawsonPTS4April 27, 1962Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, US
2Win2–0Randy SandersPTS4March 9, 1962Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, US
1Win1–0Ike AnthonyTKO2 (4)September 16, 1961War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US New York, US

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

The Ring magazine titles

Regional/International titles

Honorary titles

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone. Archived from the original on June 14, 2009. Retrieved October 29, 2016.
  2. ↑ "Canastota's last champ pulls up stakes." October 15, 2005. The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Carmen Basilio 		New York State welterweight champion
January 30 – December 3, 1970
Won world title		Vacant
Title next held by
Nelson Ortiz
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA welterweight champion
December 3, 1970 – June 4, 1971		Succeeded by
José Nápoles
WBC welterweight champion
December 3, 1970 – June 4, 1971
The Ring welterweight champion
December 3, 1970 – June 4, 1971
Undisputed welterweight champion
December 3, 1970 – June 4, 1971
Records
Preceded by Oldest living welterweight champion
October 11, 2021 – present		Incumbent
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