Inducted on November 9, 1995
Mike was born Michael Albert DePiano on July 1,1956, in Philadelphia, PA., to James and Celia DePiano. He began boxing at the age of 14 and had 23 amateur bouts before turning pro on August 10, 1973. Illegally, he won 22 pro fights in a row. Illegally because he was not yet the requisite age to be a pro boxer.
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.
The Bout was in front of the largest crowd ever, up to this time, to see a bout indoors. (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.
Mike defended his title successfully against Aldo Traversaro before losing it back to Galindez in 1979. He finished boxing in 1983 and had a record of 44-7-3 with 27 knock outs and now lives in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Rossman’s dad was Italian and his mom was Jewish.
Manager Jimmy DePiano
Trainer Slim Jim Robinson
Boxing Record: click