Mike Rossman (born Michael Albert DePiano on July 1, 1955) is an American former professional boxer who was the WBA light heavyweight champion of the world. He is of both Italian and Jewish descent, which led to his monikers "The Kosher Butcher" and "The Jewish Bomber".
Life and career Rossman was born in Turnersville, New Jersey, as Michael Albert DePiano. Rossman is his mother's maiden name, which he uses rather than that of his father. Rossman's father was Italian, and his mother Jewish. He is Jewish, and boxed with a Star of David on his shorts.The Big Book of Jewish Sports Heroes: An Illustrated Compendium of Sports ... – Peter S. HorvitzSports and the American JewJewish Sports Stars (2nd Revised Edition): Athletic Heroes Past and Present – David J. GoldmanJewish Currents He began boxing at 14 and turned pro on August 10, 1973.
Rossman fought Víctor Galíndez for the light heavyweight championship of the world on the undercard of an Ali–Spinks rematch in September 1978. Many thought Galindez would defeat him, but Rossman opened up cuts over Galindez's eyes and continued fighting until near the end of the 13th round, when the referee stopped the fight, and Rossman became world champion. Rossman made one successful defense before his hometown Philadelphia fans in December of the same year, stopping Italian challenger Aldo Traversaro in the fifth round after opening a wound on Aldo's forehead with a left hook.
Later, after losing the title back to Galindez in 1979 (see below), his career declined as he lost several matches; he never again fought a title match. He fought into the early 1980s, and perhaps the biggest name he faced in post-championship status was the upstart Dwight Braxton (today known as Dwight Muhammad Qawi), who defeated him in seven rounds in May 1981.
Rossman vs. Galindez championship rematch In February 1979, Rossman participated in what is sometimes considered one of professional boxing's most embarrassing moments (at least in modern times). At a scheduled rematch between Rossman and Galindez, Rossman was left waiting in the ring as Galindez failed to appear: A dispute about the judges of the match between the WBA and the Nevada Athletic Commission prevented the fight from being for the title, so Galindez camp refused to fight. After immediate attempts to remedy the situation failed, the fight was suspended, and rescheduled two months later in April 1979.
With Rossman perhaps still fretting about boxing politics, Galindez was focused on regaining the title, and was able to defeat Rossman. Rossman apparently broke his right hand during the bout, severely limiting his boxing ability. The pain became worse over the course of the fight, and unbearable to a point where Rossman told his father-manager after the ninth round that he could not continue. Galindez was thus able to reclaim the championship.
Professional boxing record
ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes54WinHenry Sims53Win43–7–3Robert White52Win42–7–3Al Fracker51Win41–7–3Charles Smith50Loss40–7–3Dwight Muhammad Qawi49Win40–6–3Luke Capuano48Win39–6–3Luke Capuano47Win38–6–3Al Bolden46Win37–6–3Don Addison45Loss36–6–3Ramon Ranquello44Loss36–5–3Víctor Galíndez43Win36–4–3Aldo Traversaro42Win35–4–3Víctor Galíndez41Win34–4–3Matt Ross40Win33–4–3Lonnie Bennett39Loss32–4–3Yaqui López38Win32–3–3Gary Summerhays37Win31–3–3Marcel Clay36Win30–3–3Mike Quarry35Win29–3–3Ray Anderson34Win28–3–3Mike Quarry33Draw27–3–3Christy Elliott32Win27–3–2Christy Elliott31Win26–3–2Steven Smith30Loss25–3–2Tony Licata29Win25–2–2José Anglada28Win24–2–2Gene Wells27Draw23–2–2Casey Gacic26Win23–2–1Al Styles Jr.25Loss22–2–1Mike Quarry24Win22–1–1Mike Nixon23Loss21–1–1Mike Nixon22Win21–0–1David Adkins21Win20–0–1Matt Donovan20Win19–0–1Matt Donovan19Win18–0–1Harold Richardson18Win17–0–1John Pinney17Win16–0–1Mike Morgan16Win15–0–1Nate Dixon15Win14–0–1Mike Baker14Draw13–0–1Nate Dixon13Win13–0Ray Hernandez12Win12–0Walter Riley11Win11–0Tyrone Freeman10Win10–0Joey Blair9Win9–0Greg Burch8Win8–0Maximo Pierret7Win7–0Elwood Townsend6Win6–0Lester Camper5Win5–0Nate Dixon4Win4–0Larry Parker3Win3–0Herman Nance2Win2–0Robert Ziegler1Win1–0Stanley Dawson
Miscellaneous Rossman has a tattoo of the Star of David on the calf of his right leg. Rossman now lives in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Rossman was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.
See also List of world light-heavyweight boxing champions List of Jewish boxers
References
External links
Mike Rossman - CBZ Profile NJ Boxing Hall of Fame bio and record