November 8, 2007
Guy “The Rock” Casale began a boxing career as an afterthought. At 20 years of age, this 5’10”, 215 lb, native of Newark, New Jersey was attending college and playing semi-pro football.
Having aspirations of joining the FBI after graduation, his plan was detoured after watching a friend compete in an amateur boxing match. It was then that Casale’s interests turned to boxing.
In 1976, after winning seven of eight local amateur bouts, he entered and won the New York Spanish Golden Gloves Boxing Tournament, Heavyweight Division. Subsequently, he competed in the 1977 New York Golden Gloves Championship where he was runner up to Mitch Green in the Open Heavyweight Division.
Fueled by the fire of his competitive spirit, Casale decided to launch a professional boxing career.
Although considered too small for a heavyweight, he remained undaunted. He compensated with tenacity combined with determination, strength and stamina.
Bearing a striking physical resemblance and fighting style to former Heavyweight Champion Rocky Marciano, Casale became known as the “Rock”. He quickly earned a reputation as a fierce body puncher who relentlessly stalked opponents. His charisma in the ring earned him main event status at Madison Square Garden and other boxing venues.
In May, 1978, Casale gained national recognition with a thrilling knockout of the fearsome and menacing Bobby Halpern at Madison Square Garden. Considered merely a final tune-up for Halpern, a hard punching ex-convict on the way to a title shot, Casale, in the final seconds of the third round, delivered a crashing right to Halpern’s jaw that rendered him unconscious for nearly three minutes. The next year, Casale challenged the reigning New Jersey Heavyweight Champion, Scott Frank, for the title.
Unfortunately, he sustained a severe injury (cut) to his right eye and the bout was stopped after the ninth round.
Casale made a comeback in 1981, winning four consecutive bouts by knockout and earned a spot on the first Hearns-Leonard Championship card where he faced Marvis Frazier.
Unfortunately, an injury sustained during the contest prompted the referee to stop the bout. This turned out to be his final ring appearance. His career record shows only three loses in 21 professional fights.
Exhibiting the same determination that was the hallmark of his boxing career, Casale went on to become a police officer, completed his college degree, attend graduate school and ultimately obtained a law degree from Seton Hall Law School in 1994. Today he enjoys a successful career as a detective with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office of New Jersey. He is also the union president of his department, PBA Local 325, and advocates for the rights of 150 members. Upon his retirement from police work, Guy intends to practice Law in the private sector.
- An article on Casale appeared in the April 1979 The Ring magazine.
Thirty Years After His Ring Heyday, Guy Casale Comes To Understand, “I Left A Mark”
Boxing Record: Guy Casale