It was on the table,,,,,,, Originally (with a tentative date for February 1979) in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Lots of money thrown around, with upwards of $6,000,000 for Muhammad Ali, and $1,000,000 for Mike Rossman. Ali, had relinquished his WBA Heavyweight Title (Ali really sold the Crown to Bob Arum), and Mike Rossman was the WBA Light-Heavyweight Champion. Mike Rossman, had won the WBA Light-Heavyweight Title by upsetting Victor Galindez in September 1978. Rossman, then took an easy non-mandatory defense, by blasting-out the 'forgetable' Aldo 'A Travesty' Travasero in '5' one-sided rounds in December 1978. Anyone remember the press release.
I recall this very well,Pepe. There were reports that Muhammad was considering making one defence of his newly regained WBA title before retiring for good. Rossman was one name mentioned. The others were Lorenzo Zanon and Alfio Righetti.
Imagine if any one of those three had beaten Ali. :scaredas: Bad enough to have Leon Spinks as champ, but a Leon Spinks victim (Righetti) or a hopelessly chinny Frenchman (Zanon) or a non-noteworthy ABC light-heavyweight belt holder? Euch. I'm sure Mike Rossman is a nice guy, but he didn't deserve to be the first light-heavyweight champ to step up and win the heavyweight title.
I agree with all points,Kurgan. Sad thing being that Muhammad could have indeed lost to them at that point in his career. Unlikely,but possible.
With Ali's benevolent attitude and ability to Tie up and Negate, this had pantomime / exhibition written all over it, Mike had enough trouble with the Jab and Grab Al Bolden ....I.m glad this stayed on the drawing board - Restaurant Napkin (Whatever would of been next Lottie Mwale in Zambia ? )
Agreed with this. Also, while Rossman was an okay counterpuncher and technician, he didn't have the intensity or workrate of a Spinks.
I remember a leading boxing magazine was hyping Rossman-Ali late in 1978. I don't know that TV or promoters showed any serious interest in this fight, though. I can't imagine Rossman troubling Ali, either. Mike weighed over 200 lbs in between his fights, but never weighed more than 177 lbs or so for real bouts. at 6' tall (against 6'3" for Ali), Rossman was just too small to make any kind of serious heavyweight.
