Irish Mike Nixon, a fast hard punching Middle Weight California Knock Out Artist became one of the most popular prize fighters during the 70's, who many believed would become a World Champion Boxer. Rossman is his mother's maiden name, which he uses rather than that of his father. That was Nixons last fight. . According to an article in The Ring, Howard Cosell, who was working on that fight's live broadcast to the US, was telling viewers that Corro was, in his opinion, way ahead on the judges' cards. The Bout was in front of the largest crowd ever, up to this time, to see a bout indoors. Many people have asked me to share stories about my life as a prize fighter because that part of my life was filled with excitement with highs and lows and lead to many great opportunities. The result was a split-decision victory. He was a real crowd pleaser. Thank you. A piece of ill-torn plastic wrap holds an ice pack. I put my email address in here. He turned pro at the age of only 17, and won 22 fights in a row illegally, because he was actually too young to fight professionally. residence Los Angeles, California, United States He has also done many theater plays. Rossman vs. Galindez championship rematch. They have also lived in Centerville, IN and Lake Mary, FL. Rossman defended his title once and faced a motivated Galindez in a rematch. View the profiles of people named Mike Nixon. After several attempts at becoming a top middleweight again, Antuofermo retired from boxing in 1985. The field of boxing brought me many friends and through the years I have become quite the story teller (so I have been told),true stories of a life lived as a professional boxer. Rossman fought Quarry again six months later. Change), You are commenting using your Twitter account. Tomorrow night: Brandon Figueroa and Mark Magsayo meet in expected brawl, Subriel Matias wins IBF 140-pound strap with fifth-round stoppage of Jeremias Ponce, John "Scrappy" Ramirez captures WBA continental super flyweight title, What if Jake Paul BEATS Tommy Fury? Irish Mike's last bout was against the great Vito Why read my story? In February 1979, Rossman participated in what is sometimes considered one of professional boxing's most embarrassing moments (at least in modern times). Mike defended his title successfully against Aldo Traversaro before losing it back to Galindez in 1979. Try as he did, nothing worked. As a comparison, Tyson is only 5 ft 10.5 in (1.79 m) tall. Rossman competed in a division with such names as: Matthew Saad Muhammad, Dwight Muhammad Quai, John Conteh, Eddie Mustafa Muhmmad, Victor Galindez, Marvin Johnson, Yaqui Lopez, and many more. division middleweight I actually now remember that I worked with a Carpenter at Ampex Corporation. Illegally, he won 22 pro fights in a row. locate events. Rossman won four fights in a row before facing rising Dwight Braxtonsoon to be Dwight Muhammad Quai in 1981. I decided to write my story to leave my children and fans a legacy to read and to help those seeking a career in prize fighting learn from my experience. Popular boxers by division. support wiki forum login . Co-existing with his father, who also managed him, was never easy. I think it is also a good idea to tell you what my book is not. Although I never held the title champ, I did beat champions and managed to rank in the top 5 in the world as a middle weight. It would be nice to catch up. Alabama Kid boxer. On December 22 of that year, Nixon earned his first head coaching position when he was promoted by Redskins' owner George Preston Marshall. Galindez was thus able to reclaim the championship. titles. 3. 1 talking about this. New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame 51st Annual Induction & Award Ceremonies MORE Pictures in the Crowd. Rossman tried to learn from the defeat. At Pitt, he won All-America recognition as a running back, while also working summers in the same coal mines as his father. View the profiles of professionals named "Mike Nixon" on LinkedIn. To advertise please contact us using the email below. Yes . sex male Nixon was now backing in the thick of the middleweight picture. In 1990, he landed a small role in The Godfather Part III as the chief bodyguard of gangster Joey Zasa. Back in the day (late 70's), I lived a boxing life. Michael Grant boxer. Nearly fifty years in the powersports industry, about half that time in training and management, and the other half as a career Big-Five dealership tech. His trainer, Mel, was also a great guy. Boxer List. Info about the boxer Billy Nixon, debut 1943-04-29. Underdog Rossman rallied late by outworking Quarry. He then advanced to the NFL, but played just one season with the Steelers in 1935 before entering the coaching fraternity at his alma mater the next year. Lopez had come up short in two earlier bids for world championship honors. In his next defense, against Alan Minter, also in Las Vegas, he lost the title by a 15-round split decision. Mike I owe it to my family and friends of boxing to keep the spirit of this book uplifting. event bout wiki. Some felt that it bled before the first bell rang. 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. Back in the day (late 70s), I lived a boxing life. The Legends, The Hard Truth, Celebrities, Fans,Wins and Losses. I am raising two young daughters with my wife and I have three grown children who have children of their own. from car sales to hay bales . Vito Antuofermo's second oldest son, Pasquale Antuofermo, boxed as an amateur, but never turned pro. Though lasing only 10 years, Rossman had a very good boxing career. Nixon didnt hear a thing as he was counted out. Facebook gives people the. score. Have run a few political campaigns over the last several years. Related boxers. I was a young and new fighter at the time and learned a lot from Mike, who should have been a world champion. Avoiding right hands had become a chronic problem. acknowledges an unspeakable pain at the loss of his friend and mentor He won three in a row, before dropping a majority decision to ranking contender, Tony Licata. Sure sounds like it from your post. There are many dark sides of boxing that I will not go into. Dont live in OC anymore, but kept same cell for years. Enjoy the commentary in the mean time and the book will be yours December 2017. Best Match Powered by Whitepages Premium AGE 50s Michael A Nixon Schertz, TX (Selma) Aliases A Michael View Full Report Addresses Clydesdale Run, Schertz, TX Maple Ave, Oakfield, NY Yet, he captured a world title. There are 500+ professionals named "Mike Nixon", who use LinkedIn to exchange information, ideas, and opportunities. Chico Varona boxer. ratings. Name: Mike Nixon Hometown: Glendale, California, USA Birthplace: Binghamton, New York, USA Stance: Orthodox Height: 175cm Pro Boxer: Record Amateur Boxer: Record Manager: Ralph Gambina (after 1976) Biggest matches were vs. Joe Hopkins, Sugar Ray Seales, Willie Warren, Tony Licata, Vito Antuofermo and a split in two bouts with Mike Rossman . Infos sur le boxer Mike Nixon, dbut 1970-07-13. The rematch produced one of the most devastating knockouts Ive ever seen. If so, how the heck are you!?! There are some secrets that I will take to my grave. Michael Regis Nixon (November 21, 1911 - September 22, 2000) was an American football player, coach and scout who spent close to a half-century connected to the game. I will share some great stories that I am quite sure will circulate to the boxing world. By now you have heard many stories on boxing. Related boxers. Early life [ edit] Info about the boxer Mike Nixon, debut 1970-07-13. Its like my left hand wasnt even there, he told Michael Katz of The New York Times before the Braxton fight. After retirement, Antuofermo began to pursue an acting career. Popular boxers by division. This page was last edited on 2 March 2023, at 11:38. Ignacio Ara boxer. New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame 52nd Annual Induction & Award Ceremonies Photos taken by Stan Janousek, professional fight name Stanley Yanachek. Ill try calling soon! and all honest work." Manager Jimmy DePiano Braxton punished him for six rounds. He then scored an upset points verdict over future light heavyweight champion, Mike Rossman. Brian Nielsen boxer. Nixon departed after two seasons to return to the professional level as an assistant with the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers. Retained European super-welterweight title, Palazzetto dello Sport, Naples, Campania, Italy, Last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:54, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vito_Antuofermo&oldid=1139108718, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 11:54. (Muhammad Ali won the Heavyweight title a record 3rd time against Leon Spinks in the main event that night Mike fought the per~ feet bout stopping Galindez in the 13th round and becoming the World Champion. Let Me Know When I Can Buy This Book. Money, or the lack there of, was the issue. He retired with a very respectable 27-8-1 record. 1977-08-30: Ramon Beras: 6 11 2: Forum, Montreal W-KO. its me. He came back two years later, won four fights against lessor competition, and retired. locate people. View the profiles of professionals named "Mike Nixon" on LinkedIn. Now in my 60's, I have come to appreciate the life lessons of being in the ring and being in the lime light. However, that was a guy, not a woman. Nixon though cut his own path through the ratings and although he did not reach the top, he did mix with some of the best. . and all honest work." Mike acknowledges an unspeakable pain at the loss of his friend and mentor Jerry Quarry, who passed away in 1999 as the result of brain damage incurred in the ring. Rossman was widely criticized after his loss to Galindez. Rossman wobbled to his corner where father Jimmy told the referee the fight was over. Tony Licata boxer. event fights his first ten rounder coming just three days prior to his I was a former neighbor and friend of Mike and Wilma Nixon in the early 1970s. ). schedule. Mike beat such standouts as Mike Nixon, Mike Quarry, twice, Christ Elliott, and Gary Summerhays before getting a shot at the light heavyweight championship of the world against Victor Galindez on September 15, 1978. Debbie In fact he stopped in three rounds by Larry Davis in his pro debut in 1970. We were spoiled in the 50s, 60s, and 70s. To John (Dennis) Mancino ~ Is this the same John Mancino that worked at MSI Data Corp in late 1970 through 80s? New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame 52nd Annual Induction & Award Ceremonies Other Photos taken by Those in attendance! Rossmans prickly relationship with his father blew up. and all honest work." Early life Galindez went ballistic in his corner, taunting Rossman and calling him names. But this night would be different. 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. Since retiring from the ring, Nixon claims he has "done it all. View the profiles of people named Mike Nixon Nixon. View the profiles of people named Michael Nixon. If I had the answer, maybe I could solve the problem. Kid Gavilan boxer. 1976 . He was stopped six times in his thirty seven-bout career. is an American former professional boxer who was the WBA light heavyweight champion of the world. In front of an HBO Boxing audience and a full house at Hagler's native Boston's Boston Garden, Antuofermo this time lost by a TKO on cuts in the fourth round. Total bouts 52, won 38, lost 13, draw 0. The son of an immigrant coal miner, Mike was born and raised in the Pittsburgh area community of Masontown, Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he played three seasons under the legendary Jock Sutherland, including action in the 1933 Rose Bowl. Total bouts 37, won 27, lost 8, draw 1. Height 5 9/175cm . results. With Rossman perhaps still fretting about boxing politics, Galindez was focused on regaining the title, and was able to defeat Rossman. Judge Dalby Shirley scored it for Antuofermo, 144142. Rossman got off to a fast start, opening cuts over both eyes. Telling your life story is very personal and I am going to get real in telling mine. On July 1, 1969, Nixon was signed as a scout for the Cleveland Browns, spending his first season looking only at teams in the American Football League. Once again, Nixon was looking for work after Kuharich was dismissed after the arrival of new owner Leonard Tose. His most prominent positions have been as head coach of the National Football League's Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers. Then in 1977 Mike disappeared from the sport leaving many boxing fans to wonder what happened. Vito Antuofermo boxer. The strategy was for Nixon to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of the teams that would be facing the Browns after they changed leagues because the AFLNFL merger. The fighter who stopped Nixon in his pro debut was named GEORGE Davisthe same Indian George Davis who defeated Mike a second timein a big upset at the Anaheim Convention Center, just when Mike appeared to be hitting his stride. Rossman beat big-shots like Mike Nixon, Mike Quarry (twice), Christy Elliott, and Gary Summerhays before getting a shot at the light heavyweight championship of the world against Victor Galindez of Argentina. Join Facebook to connect with Mike Nixon Nixon and others you may know. Global ID 84104 Tony Licata boxeur. Popular boxers by division. Facebook gives people the power to share. I remember you telling me of your sparring sessions with Ken Norton and George Foreman, so thought this may be you. Mike would reel off eight victories in a row plus a ninth round no contest against the rated David Love in 1974. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ). He was a real crowd pleaser. Semi-retired!? Jim is on the Publicity Committee for the American Association for the Improvement of Boxing (AAIB) that was co-founded by Steve Acunto and the late Rocky Marciano. Signup now and receive updates and a notice when book is released By now you have heard many stories on boxing. Join Facebook to connect with Mike Nixon and others you may know. Barely two months after being stopped for the first time in his career, Rossman was back in the ring, stopping a reeling Lonnie Bennett at the Spectrum in Philadelphia. Seven months later, Marvin Johnson would knock him out. Mike Nixon (November 21, 1911 - September 22, 2000) is a former American football player, coach and scout who spent close to a half-century connected to the game. I sparred with a lot of big-name fighters, including George Foreman, Pedro Lovell, Indian Red Lopez, Pipino Cuevas who I knocked down in a LA Forum sparring session and Ken Norton for nine months at the Hoover St. Gym. lol I see you are still fighting for justice! When someone on the American television crew found out it was Antuofermo who was actually leading on the cards, Cosell then began to say he had Antuofermo ahead. champions. Irish Mike Nixon, a fast hard punching Middle Weight California Knock Out Artist became one of the most popular prize fighters during the 70's, who many believed would become a World Champion Boxer. In the gym I try hard to correct a lot of things.. Alabama Kid boxer. His career record shows 44 wins, 27 by knockout, and seven losses. Rossman was finished as contender. Jerry Quarry, "Irish" Mike Nixon pursued a very colorful boxing career Yes, I am the same guy who worked at MSI. CA Combo: National Boxing Hall of Fame with C Book review: James Louis Bivins by Jerry Fitc Fair well to Oscar De La Hoya & Bernard Hopkins, http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000392951653. Vito Antuofermo ( Italian pronunciation: [vito antwofermo]; born February 9, 1953) is an Italian American actor and retired professional boxer. Mike Nixon walks through the front door of his Tempe home and drops a maroon-and-gold Arizona State University gym bag to the tile floor. Rossman, at this point, fighting in the middleweight division, won 22 consecutive fights before being edged by Mike Nixon. A huge underdog, Rossman opened the fight strong and landed several cuts under Galindezs eyes. He was commonly known as "The Jewish Bomber." . He had solid skills and a lot of heart. In between rounds in his fights, as much attention (if not more) was given to Vito patching up cuts on his face as it was giving him advice and instructions. Need I say lights out ? He is a former undisputed World Middleweight Champion.[1]. This is a celebration of life dedicated to my fallen brothers of boxing, as told by someone who lived boxing to the fullest, and is now ready to express the journey to anyone who wants to make fighting a career. By his teens, he had made up his mind that he wanted to be a professional boxer. . ATTENTION: All Boxing Fans, Prize Fighters, Sports Writers, Historians! Gert Steyn boxer. Boxer List. Stories about taking it on the chin and knocking them to the floor, the referees, the fans, Hollywood, the missed opportunities and the opportunities that should have been missed. I sincerely hope you enjoy what I create for you. His father, Jimmy, told Sports Illustrated in 1978, Mike Rossman. The blow landed, but the pain shook Rossman. Vito Antuofermo (Italian pronunciation:[vito antwofermo]; born February 9, 1953) is an Italian American actor and retired professional boxer. Following a 9-5 season in 1966, the team won three fewer games the following year, then bottomed out with a 2-12 mark in 1968. Young Stribling boxer. His most prominent positions were as head coach of the National Football League 's Washington Redskins and Pittsburgh Steelers . Total bouts 47, won 16, lost 30, draw 0. There are many dark sides of boxing that I will not go into. He now owns a successful landscaping company that operates in Long Island, New York. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. Makes sense. Stories about boxing with the greats like Sugar Ray Robinson, hands on mentors like Carmen Basilio, Emile Griffith, the boxing camps shared with the likes of George Foremen, hanging out with the Quarries and landing on the Muhammad Ali fight card. pro boxer. Rossman's father was Italian, and his mother Jewish. This is an insiders peak (a 70's time capsule) into an exciting behind the scenes world, for anyone who loves the fight game. However it didnt show up. After seeking another head coaching job, Nixon settled for an assistant's role on February 11, 1961 back with the Steelers under Buddy Parker. 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. After another knockout victory. Mike Rossmans rollercoaster pugilistic career was filled with thrilling highs and depressing lows. In subsequent years, Nixon would focus on college scouting, becoming the team's director of college scouting on February 20, 1974. Ill share more when you call. If it doesnt show up a second time, call me and Ill give it to you. Mike was just 16 at the time and weighed about 160, thirty five pounds less than . Irish Mike's last bout was against the great Vito Antuofermo. Johnny Hutchinson boxer. Kuharich's tenure with the team was brief, but when he was named as head coach of the Redskins after the 1953 NFL season, Nixon followed him to the nation's capital. Jerry Quarry, who passed away in 1999 as the result of brain damage Scar tissue lived above his left eye. Rene De Vos boxer. Now approaching 60 years old, I have come to appreciate the life lessons of being in the ring and being in the lime light. On the morning after winning the title, Antuofermo and his crew were driving to a small vacation in Italy, when he saw a car fly off a bridge under which they were passing. Internal strife reportedly caused him to lose his love of the sport. Franzese stated that the outcome of many of Antuofermo's fights were pre-determined so that organized crime figures could safely bet, but that the fights with Marvelous Marvin Hagler were not fixed.[3]. I sincerely hope you enjoy what I create for you. He once was a world champion, something that not everyone can say. Illegally because he was not yet the requisite age to be a pro boxer. Kuharich's five-year tenure in Washington was only slightly better than his Cardinals stint, with the mentor leaving for the head coaching position at the University of Notre Dame following the conclusion of the 1958 NFL season. Preview: The 2023 West Coast Boxing Hall of Fame! Antuofermo had a propensity to cut easily, especially around the eyebrows. Rossman was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame. About Hi my name is Mike Nixon. Top Five Past Footballers Who Switched to Boxing, The Year 2009 It Was a Very Sad Year for boxing fans (R.I.P. Since retiring from the ring, Nixon claims he has "done it American football player and coach (19112000), 1936 Pittsburgh Panthers footballnational champions, 1937 Pittsburgh Panthers footballAP national champions, Learn how and when to remove this template message, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Mike_Nixon&oldid=1098405073, West Virginia Mountaineers football players, Players of American football from Pennsylvania, United States Navy personnel of World War II, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using infobox military person with embed, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 15 July 2022, at 17:46. Rossmans dad was Italian and his mom was Jewish. results. . Rossman was offered a chance to fight for the light heavyweight championship. A rematch went down in Las Vegas less than three months later. [emailprotected]. His most impressive victories were over Richie Kates, Lopez twice, and the talented Mustafa Muhammad. It does not show up on this site when you post a comment. Again, it was close, but a pulpy left eye and slice over the right lobe ended the night for Quarry after six bloody rounds. Irish Mike Nixon, a fast hard punching Middle Weight California Knock Out Artist became one of the most popular prize fighters during the 70's, who many believed would become a World Champion Boxer.