Former WBA Boxing Champ Mike Rossman in Rehab After Stroke, VBA Seeking Donations
*Photo Credit: Robert Brizel, Real Combat Media
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Atlantic City, NJ ( April 4th, 2026)– Former World Boxing Association World Light Heavyweight champion Mike Rossman, AKA Michael Albert De Piano, is currently in rehab after a stroke. Rossman, 44-7-3 with 27 knockouts, Atlantic City, New Jersey, who fought between 1973 and 1983 and retired at age 28, was living in a rundown apartment in Atlantic City with a bed and landline telephone, but with no cellphone or television.
Rossman is currently in physical therapy, according to his former promoter Russell Peltz, who is working with the veteran Boxers’ Association (VBA), in trying to help raise 25 thousand dollars to renovate Rossman’s apartment and contribute to his medical expenses. Donations can be made online at vbaringone.com/mike-rossman-donation-page or mailed to VBA-RingOne/Rossman, VBA Ring One, PO Box 428, Sewell, NJ 08080.
Rossman won the WBA Light Heavyweight title on September 15, 1978, stopping the late Victor Galindez in the 13th round of a bout televised on ABC television with commentary by Howard Cosell at the Superdome in New Orleans. On December 5, 1978, Rossman defended the title with a sixth-round stoppage of Italian Light Heavyweight champion Aldo Traversaro. A hand injury in a rematch with Galindez forced Rossman to quit on his stool after the ninth round at The Superdome on April 14, 1979. The rematch had been rescheduled after Galindez refused to fight the first rematch, citing problems with the judges. Rossman retired after a fifth-round knockout of Henry Sims at The Sands in Atlantic City on November 23, 1983. Though he has made appearances at local Atlantic City boxing cards, since retirement, Rossman has maintained a relatively low profile.
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