Syracuse, N.Y. -- Gary Youmans began working on his biography of Carmen Basilio, which would be titled "The Onion Picker,'' nearly 20 years ago. The book was published in 2007.
A few years later, Youmans and Syracuse University professor Owen Shapiro started an effort to turn the book into a movie.
On Thursday, Youmans and Shapiro shared in the satisfaction of seeing their collaboration finally come to fruition with "Basilio,'' which will be filmed this summer in Central New York.
"We’ve been working on this for six years,'' Shapiro, who teaches in SU’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, said during a press conference at the Press Room Pub in Syracuse. "It’s been an exciting trip.''
Basilio grew up in Canastota, N.Y., where he worked on his family’s onion farm. He turned to boxing at a young age and eventually became champion of the world. He claimed world titles in both the welterweight and middleweight divisions.
The International Boxing Hall of Fame is located in Canastota because of him and his nephew, Billy Backus, who also won a world title.
Media 64 Entertainment Group will produce the film with funding from Innovative Group of CNY Arts and Star Boxing.
"The thing about this film is it’s about the passion of this man,'' Youmans said, referring to Basilio. "It’s exciting, but there is a lot of work ahead of us.''
Here are some key facts about the movie:
Production: Shapiro said that filming will take place later this summer. He said filming will be done at several Central New York locations, including Sylvan Beach where Basilio often trained for his fights.
Shapiro said he hopes to film a couple days in July and then from Aug. 6 to Sept. 6.
Cast: Very few casting decisions have been made, but two actors who will be in the film were at Thursday’s press conference.
Daniel Baldwin, who lives in the Syracuse area and hosts a morning sports talk show on ESPN-97.7 FM, will be in the movie, although his role has yet to be determined.
Baldwin wore an old Muhammad Ali jacket to Thursday’s event.
George Finn, an actor and former professional hockey player who played the role of Carl Racki in the 1986 film "Youngblood'' with Patrick Swayze and Rob Lowe, will also be in Basilio. Finn will play the role of Johnny DeJohn, who was Basilio’s manager.
Local flavor: Several people from Syracuse will central to the Basilio book.
Don Hamilton boxed as a youth, knew Basilio well and is a noted boxing historian. Greg Sorrentino was a local boxer who was trained by Basilio. Both attended Thursday’s press conference.
"Donnie and Greg were instrumental in the book,'' Youmans said, "and they’ll be instrumental in this film.''
Oren Lyons was also present on Thursday. Basilio and Lyons, a former All-American lacrosse player at Syracuse University, were close friends.
Auditions: There will be an open casting call in Central New York. To schedule an audition, send a headshot and resume to Lauren Felasco. Her email is lfelasco@media64.com.
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