Billy Backus

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

Billy Backus
Statistics
Real nameHarold William Backus
Weight(s)Welterweight
NationalityAmerican
Born (1943-03-05) March 5, 1943
Canastota, New York
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights73
Wins48
Wins by KO22
Losses20
Draws5

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 fights 49 wins 20 losses
By knockout 23 5
By decision 26 15
Draws 5
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes
74 Loss 49–20–5 Pipino Cuevas RTD 1 (15) May 20, 1978 Forum, Inglewood, California, US For WBA welterweight title
73 Draw 49–19–5 Everaldo Costa Azevedo SD 12 Nov 19, 1977 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
72 Win 49–19–4 Joe Grier UD 10 Aug 25, 1977 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
71 Win 48–19–4 Rafael Rodriguez UD 12 Jun 3, 1977 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
70 Win 47–19–4 Roy Barrientos UD 10 Apr 8, 1977 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
69 Win 46–19–4 Justice Ortiz UD 10 Jan 27, 1977 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
68 Win 45–19–4 Tony Lopes TKO 9 (10) Nov 20, 1976 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
67 Win 44–19–4 Pablo Rodriguez UD 10 Sep 11, 1976 Utica Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
66 Win 43–19–4 Jose Papo Melendez UD 10 May 28, 1976 Colonie Coliseum, Latham, New York, US
65 Win 42–19–4 Angel Robinson Garcia UD 10 Apr 3, 1976 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
64 Win 41–19–4 Pablo Rodriguez UD 10 Jan 24, 1976 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
63 Win 40–19–4 Marc Gervais KO 10 (10) Aug 23, 1975 Broome County Arena, Binghamton, New York, US
62 Loss 39–19–4 Rocky Mattioli TKO 5 (10) Apr 11, 1975 Festival Hall, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
61 Loss 39–18–4 Eckhard Dagge TKO 3 (10) Jun 20, 1974 Germany
60 Win 39–17–4 Jacques Kechichian RTD 5 (10) Apr 30, 1974 Paris, France
59 Loss 38–17–4 Roger Menetrey PTS 12 Mar 18, 1974 Palais des Sports, Paris, France, France
58 Win 38–16–4 Roger Zami TKO 9 (10) Jan 21, 1974 Palais des Sports, Paris, France, France
57 Loss 37–16–4 Zovek Barajas TKO 3 (10) Dec 6, 1973 Olympic Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, US
56 Win 37–15–4 Al Romano KO 3 (10) Aug 4, 1973 Three Rivers Inn, Syracuse, New York, US
55 Loss 36–15–4 Miguel Barreto MD 12 Aug 4, 1973 Felt Forum, New York City, New York, US
54 Loss 36–14–4 Jack Tillman UD 12 Feb 13, 1973 Civic Center, Baltimore, Maryland, US For WBA North American welterweight title
53 Loss 36–13–4 Hedgemon Lewis UD 15 Dec 8, 1972 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US For NYSAC welterweight title
52 Win 36–12–4 Dorman Crawford TKO 8 (10) Sep 23, 1972 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
51 Loss 35–12–4 Hedgemon Lewis UD 15 Jun 6, 1972 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US For vacant NYSAC welterweight title
50 Win 35–11–4 Danny McAloon UD 12 Apr 14, 1972 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
49 Win 34–11–4 Irish Pat Murphy TKO 7 (10) Feb 12, 1972 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
48 Win 33–11–4 Jose Gabino UD 10 Dec 10, 1971 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
47 Loss 32–11–4 José Nápoles TKO 8 (15) Jun 4, 1971 Forum, Inglewood, California, US Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
46 Win 32–10–4 Robert Gallois MD 10 Mar 15, 1971 Palais des Sports, Paris, France, France
45 Win 31–10–4 Bobby Williams UD 12 Jan 23, 1971 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
44 Win 30–10–4 José Nápoles TKO 4 (15) Dec 3, 1970 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring welterweight titles
43 Win 29–10–4 Denny Stiletto KO 8 (10) Oct 3, 1970 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
42 Win 28–10–4 Manuel Gonzalez UD 10 Jul 22, 1970 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
41 Win 27–10–4 Frank Steele UD 10 Jun 15, 1970 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
40 Win 26–10–4 Manuel Burgo UD 10 Mar 24, 1970 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
39 Win 25–10–4 Ricky Ortiz TKO 8 (10) Jan 30, 1970 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
38 Draw 24–10–4 Ricky Ortiz MD 10 Oct 31, 1969 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
37 Win 24–10–3 Jerry Pellegrini UD 10 Sep 19, 1969 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
36 Loss 23–10–3 Jerry Pellegrini UD 10 Jul 21, 1969 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
35 Loss 23–9–3 Percy Pugh UD 15 Jun 16, 1969 Rivergate Exhibition Hall, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
34 Win 23–8–3 Percy Pugh UD 12 Apr 25, 1969 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
33 Win 22–8–3 CL Lewis TKO 7 (10) Mar 17, 1969 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
32 Win 21–8–3 Percy Pugh SD 12 Jan 24, 1969 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
31 Win 20–8–3 Freddie Cobb TKO 5 (10) Dec 14, 1968 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
30 Win 19–8–3 Vince Shomo TKO 8 (10) Nov 16, 1968 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
29 Win 18–8–3 Johnny Brooks UD 10 Oct 7, 1968 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
28 Win 17–8–3 Curtis Phillips TKO 7 (10) Sep 14, 1968 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
27 Win 16–8–3 Jerry Pellegrini SD 10 Jul 29, 1968 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
26 Loss 15–8–3 Percy Pugh UD 10 Jun 3, 1968 Municipal Auditorium, New Orleans, Louisiana, US
25 Win 15–7–3 Dick French TKO 6 (10) May 19, 1968 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
24 Win 14–7–3 Danny Andrews UD 10 Apr 6, 1968 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
23 Win 13–7–3 Juan Ramos UD 10 Feb 10, 1968 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
22 Win 12–7–3 Gene Herrick TKO 6 (10) Nov 30, 1967 Portland, Maine, US
21 Win 11–7–3 Curtis Phillips TKO 6 (10) Nov 24, 1967 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
20 Win 10–7–3 Ernie Robbins KO 3 (6) Oct 23, 1967 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
19 Win 9–7–3 Tod Purtell KO 1 (?) Oct 16, 1967 Worcester, Massachusetts, US
18 Loss 8–7–3 Rudy Richardson UD 8 May 5, 1965 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
17 Loss 8–6–3 Billy Anderson PTS 10 Oct 30, 1964 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
16 Loss 8–5–3 Genaro Soto PTS 6 Jul 17, 1964 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
15 Win 8–4–3 Colin Fraser UD 10 May 19, 1964 War Memorial Auditorium, Utica, New York, US
14 Win 7–4–3 Lew Anderson TKO 5 (8) Apr 18, 1964 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
13 Win 6–4–3 Dave Hilton KO 7 (8) Feb 29, 1964 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
12 Win 5–4–3 Colin Fraser RTD 5 (8) Feb 1, 1964 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US
11 Loss 4–4–3 Billy Anderson UD 8 Dec 19, 1963 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
10 Loss 4–3–3 Fernand Chretien UD 10 Aug 2, 1963 Saint Anthony's Club, New Castle (Shawtown), Delaware, US
9 Loss 4–2–3 Dick French UD 8 Feb 28, 1963 Mechanics Hall, Worcester, Massachusetts, US
8 Draw 4–1–3 Marcel Bizien PTS 8 Jan 23, 1963 Plaza Ballroom, Paterson, New Jersey, US
7 Draw 4–1–2 Mike Cortez PTS 4 Dec 22, 1962 Madison Square Garden, New York City, New York, US
6 Loss 4–1–1 Luis Aponte Ortiz PTS 4 Nov 24, 1962 Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, US
5 Win 4–0–1 Barney Barnez PTS 4 Jun 22, 1962 Totowa, New Jersey, US
4 Win 3–0–1 Steve Gessler PTS 6 Jun 6, 1962 Saint-Jerome, Quebec, Canada
3 Draw 2–0–1 Sugar Lawson PTS 4 Apr 27, 1962 Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, US
2 Win 2–0 Randy Sanders PTS 4 Mar 9, 1962 Gladiators' Arena, Totowa, New Jersey, US
1 Win 1–0 Ike Anthony TKO 2 (4) Sep 16, 1961 War Memorial Auditorium, Syracuse, New York, US New York, US

See also

References
  1. "The Lineal Welterweight Champs". Cyber Boxing Zone. Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. Retrieved 2016-10-29.
  2. "Canastota's last champ pulls up stakes." October 15, 2005. The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
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