Bassett fought frequently, and had compiled a record of 25–0 before losing for the first time, an eight-round points loss to Brown Lee on December 23, 1948.
[1] Despite this, Bassett faced a number of the top small fighters of his era, including Mario Pacheco, Miguel Acevedo, Redtop Davis, Jimmy Carter, Frankie Sodano, Federico Plummer, Ray Famechon, Lulu Perez, and others.
Bassett's retirement due to a detached retina came after his last fight, a tenth round TKO of undefeated (16-0) Seraphin Ferrer.
[2] On December 20, 1950, Bassett fought Sonny Boy West, a well-regarded veteran lightweight from Baltimore with a professional record of 46–7–1.
Betnween the sixth and seventh rounds West began to complain in his corner of double vision, but the fight was allowed to continue.