Sport: Boxing
Born: July 1, 1995
Town: Turmersville, New Jersey
Michael Albert DePiano was born July 1, 1955 in Turnersville, NJ. Mike stood a shade under 6 feet and developed a powerful build as a teenager. He began boxing at 14 and won 23 amateur fights before turning pro in 1973. Mike trained in Philadelphia and was managed by his father, Jimmy DePiano, but fought under his mother’s maiden name, Rossman. There was some question as to Mike’s date of birth, with some claiming he was born in 1956. If true, this would have meant his first few pro bouts were fought under age, at 17.
Mike was a hard puncher who earned the nickname “The Jewish Bomber.” He fought with a Star of David embroidered on his trunks.
Mike won his first 13 professional fights before a draw with Nate Dixon. He won his next eight, including a TKO over Mike Pinney, who was undefeated in 27 fights at the time. In 1978, Mike got his first title shot, climbing into the ring against Victor Galindez to decide the WBA Light Heavyweight championship in the Louisiana SuperDome. Mike shocked the sport with a 13th-round TKO, opening cuts over both of Galindez’s eyes.
Mike successfully defended his crown with a TKO over Aldo Traversaro, but lost a rematch to Galindez in April of 1979—breaking his hand during the fight. He had originally injured the hand in a 1977 victory over Gary Summerhays. The second Rossman–Galindez fight had originally been scheduled for February, but was cancelled at the last minute because of a dispute over judges. Mike was literally waiting in the ring when the bout was called off.
After winning their second meeting, Galindez refused to grant Mike a rematch. Mike continued to fight for four more years, winning eight of his final 10 bouts to finish with a record of 44–7–3, with 27 knockouts. One of those losses came in 1981 to Camden’s Dwight Braxton (aka Dwight Muhammad Qawi) who was on his way up as Mike was on his way down.
Mike’s reflexes slowed at a time when many fighters enter their prime years, and he was basically finished as a contender by the age of 26. His success as a young boxer hadn’t translated into big TV paydays and he had a falling out with his father over money. Mike moved to Atlantic City and worked as a union laborer. In 2011, he was inducted into the New Jersey Boxing Hall of Fame.