Mike Quarry ~ Forced To Fight On By Father ~ 'Road To Palookaville'

[Bill Paxtom]

September 1975

Mike Quarry vs. Mike Rossman

The 'Beginning of the Trilogy'.
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These 'two' fighters truly despised each other.

Mike Quarry was the original 'Schoolboy' Light-Heavyweight. But now, Mike was the experienced Professional
with a World Title Challenge under his belt, despite the brutal loss by {L TKO 4} back in June 1972.

Mike Rossman, was the 'new' Schoolboy, and competing in the Middleweight Division. It was Rossman who was
now the 'highly-touted' future Star.

'Rock-N-Roll' Mike Quarry ......... vs. ..........'The Jewish Bomber' Mike Rossman

~ The Set Up ~

Both Mike Quarry and Mike Rossman had been fighting in the 1975 Madison Square Garden
'TVS' sponsored Friday Night television bouts.

Mike Quarry, at the time was ranked as the #12 Ring Magazine - Light-Heavyweight.

Mike Rossman, at the time was ranked as the #9 Ring Magazine - Middleweight.

Both were on a collision course for a Televised bout.

~ The Twist ~

Mike Rossman had been 'unbeaten' at 20-0-1 in May 1975, and was ranked as the #5 Ring
Magazine - Middleweight.

In a 'TVS' bout on May 19th, Rossman faced 'swift' Mike Nixon in a 10-Round in Binghamton, New York.

Well, Rossman got 'out-smarted' and lost a 10-Round Split-Decision.

~ The Kicker ~

Mike Nixon was Mike Quarry's 'brother in-law', and Nixon was originally from Binghamton, New York.

After the 'loss', the 'Rossman Camp' cried hometown decision, and protested the scoring with
the NYSAC. But to no avail, as the Decision was upheld.

~ Aftermath ~

Both Mike Nixon and his in-laws {The Quarry Family}, called 'The Rossman Camp' a bunch of cry-baby's
and New Jersey 'losers' with all there whining, and complaining.

~ The Rematch ~

A 'rematch' was set up for August 1st, and in Las Vegas at 'The Tropicana Hotel & Casino', and with the
bout again televised on 'TVS'.

This time Mike Rossman was a little more aggressive and sharper, as he had the edge in '2' of the first
3-Rounds.

But in Round 4, Mike Nixon started to make his charge, and fought well in Rounds 4 and 5. But Rossman
started to land with 'heavy' left-jabs in Round 6, and had Nixon at the end of his punches.

Then it happened. In Round 7, Mike Nixon became more aggressive, as he was moving forward while
swinging with wide-punches.

Then at the {0:44 Mark}, Nixon came in swinging and missed with a 'double' left-jab. Then Rossman
quickly countered with a 'vicious' sweeping over-hand right, that landed 'flush' on Mike Nixon's head.

Mike Nixon went down 'face-first' where he was counted out at the {0:56 Mark}. Nixon was laid out on the
canvas for nearly 4-Minutes, as Mike Rossman won by a {KO 7}.

~ After Bout Comments ~

An 'ecstatic' Mike Rossman said that > it was the 'best punch' that he has ever landed. And that he was
looking forward to taking on a Top 10 opponent.

Carmine Graziano {Mike Rossman's co-Manager} stated they wanted Mike Quarry next, if Quarry could
get down to 168 or 169 lbs.

~The First Stone Has Been Cast ~