Check This Out. Boxing related, of course.

[Exciterx30]

A couple of nights ago, I was using Yahoo messenger and visited their Boxing chatroom. It was pretty slow, but I found some guy who knew his stuff. We started to chat about old fights and all of that and he mentioned that he had been a pro boxer, but he did not want to say his name. He said he had been a Light Heavyweight in the 70's and 80's and mentioned some other LH's like Saad Muhammad, Yaqui Lopez, and Galindez. After a while, I asked him to tell me who he had beaten and the guy said one of his wins had been a Ko of Lonnie Bennett. I went to Boxrec and combined with some details he had accidentally given, I came to the conclusion that he was Mike Rossman. That guy was a former champion. I asked him if his initials were MR and he was surprised. The guy did not admit it but it was almost clear. Maybe or maybe not, but looks like it was the guy. Anyone knows about him?

[American_Ninja]

He was a fringe contender back in the 70's. Ive heard of him.

[Exciterx30]

He was a champ. I read it.

[EXIGE]

Interesting story, although i dont know of him...

[EXIGE]

The date is August 1, 1975. At the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. Two of the top middleweight prospects are meeting in a rematch of a May 19th bout in Binghampton, N.Y. On that occasion Mike Nixon, the brother-in-law of Jerry and Mike Quarry beat Mike Rossman. The loss that night to Nixon was the first of Rossman's budding career. He vowed to avenge that. The return saw nip and tuck action all the way with Rossman boxing well behind an educated left jab but Nixon came on some in the middle rounds. Although Rossman was probably in front, Nixon was closing the gap quickly.

Then in the seventh round, out of nowhere a full swing Rossman right caught Nixon and just like that the show was over. It was to this day one of the most decisive one punch knockouts I have ever seen. I'll always remember Mike Rossman for two things. That memorable KO clout against Nixon and how he upset Victor Galindez in their first encounter to become the W.B.A. Light Heavyweight champion..

Mike Rossman had a very turbulent career. On his way to his doubleheader with Nixon, Rossman beat a some capable veterans. Guys like Mike Baker, Harold Richardson and Matt Donovan. After he bombed Nixon, Rossman met Mike Quarry. Quarry outcuted Mike to win the decision. Two fights later Rossman drew with tough Clevelander Casey Gacic.

In June of 1976 Rossman lost a verdict. to the crafty Tony Licata. He then halted Christy Elliot in three rounds. A few weeks letter Rossman and Elliot battled to a draw. Mike then embarked on his road to glory . Rossman outscored Mike Quarry. Then he halted Akron, Ohio's long time contender Ray Anderson in four rounds. Mike Quarry tried again but was stopped in six. Marcel Clay went in one and Gary Summerhays went the ten round route.

Then came a bump in the road toward a title fight. His name was Alvaro "Yaqui" Lopez. They met on March 2, 1978 at New York's Madison Square Garden. Lopez proved why he was one best fighters to never win a world title.He took Rossman to school that night and battered him for a sixth round KO.

To Mike's credit he jumped right back in with solid KO wins over Lonnie Bennett and Matt Ross. Then on September 15, 1978 Mike met Victor Galindez for the WBA light heavyweight title in New Orleans. In a tremendous upset, Rossman beat Galindez at his own game. He bloodied, battered and outfought the champion to win the title on a thirteenth round TKO.

Shaky is the crown upon the King's head. That was Mike Rossman after he beat Galindez. He defended against a safe opponent in Aldo Traversaro. Then came the rematch with the highly motivated Galindez. Mike lost the title back to Victor in ten rounds. Five months after losing to Galindez, Rossman lost on stunning kayo at the hands of Ramon Ranquello.

Mike put together a modest win streak to put him back in contention. He won decisions over Don Addison, Al Bolden and apair of verdicts over rough Luke Capuano.Then in his last chance at the big time he was paired with the streaking Dwight Qawi. It ended in the seventh round and in reality so did Rossman's career. Mike would win four more fights and then hang them up.

During his tenure as light heavyweight champion there was actually talk of him meeting Muhammad Ali. The "Greatest" was always willing to give a talented and viable white contender a shot at immortality.

Mike Rossman may not have been the best light heavyweight of all time but he was a solid and formidable professional.

[Exciterx30]

Nice, Exig. Maybe I chatted with a true boxer after all. If it was him, that is.

[American_Ninja]

He was a champ. I read it.

Now that you mention it maybe he was, if I remember correctly he fought just about eveyone around back then.

[Brother Mouzone]

Nice, Exig. Maybe I chatted with a true boxer after all. If it was him, that is.

just wanted to say i like your avatar most people dis-credit camacho and call him a clown ..but during his prime he was a very good boxer he was a 3 time world champion had a very good defense he had a piston like jab and some of the fastest hands in boxing he made fights exciting ...and once he hang up the gloves for good he should be going to the bhof...

[{BrownBomber}]

lets add a face to the name....

[Exciterx30]

just wanted to say i like your avatar most people dis-credit camacho and call him a clown ..but during his prime he was a very good boxer he was a 3 time world champion had a very good defense he had a piston like jab and some of the fastest hands in boxing he made fights exciting ...and once he hang up the gloves for good he should be going to the bhof...

Camacho is an all time Latino great and very underrated. We know his potential, so that's what matters. He was a three division champion who faced the best fighters around and beat most of them.