The champion also held a five-inch height advantage, standing 5 feet 11 inches to Basilio’s 5 feet 6½ inches. That difference favored him at long range but helped Basilio once he got inside. His lower position allowed him to crowd beneath Robinson’s shoulders and leave little room for the sweeping left hook that had knocked out Fullmer.
Using his height, reach and faster hands, Robinson moved around Basilio, stabbed him with the jab and fired combinations before trying to regain space. Basilio followed without wasting energy on a fast pursuit. He narrowed the ring, hooked to the body and waited for Robinson to
