The New York State Heavyweight Champion
11-0-0, 7KO’s
Medford, Long Island

 

 

Article By: Joe Sinisi
Photo By: Mervin Williams

It’s a question many casual fight fans and industry insiders are asking: Who is this guy, this soft-spoken six foot four two hundred and forty two pounder? In street clothes he’s unassuming. In the ring he almost looks undersized. Who is Derric Rossy?

On February 10 at the Friday Night Fights this question needed no answer. At the Huntington Hilton, Friday night was Derric’s night. It was the night he took a step forward and demanded that the dormant but well versed Long Island boxing fans take notice. Not that anyone would’ve had trouble knowing who the hometown favorite was. Amidst deafening ‘Ros-sy Ros-sy’ chants and a brilliant second round TKO a champ was born, and his ascension to stardom moved up one very large notch.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Sal Musumeci, the architect of Final Forum Boxing and himself a man on the move, put the night together. Rossy was coming off of an impressive win at Mohegan Sun, an eight round fight against David Polk he won by decision. Truth be told, by the eighth there wasn’t much of a decision to make. Musumeci was coming off an exhausting campaign to make sure that February 10 would be the night that put Final Forum on the map.

The Huntington Hilton filled up but wasn’t at capacity for the first five fights. Musumeci had a nice group of fighters going in the undercards, highlighted by Final Forum’s other rising star, Chika Nakamura. She fought an impressive fight against the determined, if not overly talented Cynthia Jones. Chika looked shaky in the early rounds, at times off balance and inaccurate against the cagey Jones. But her patience and size paid off, and she was able to grind down the fight and impose her own pace. By the third round she was dishing out consistently hard punches and by the forth Jones’ tank was empty. That’s 3-0 for Chika. Who is Chika Nakamura? Maybe someday soon that question will be addressed.

Sal Musumeci took a lot of chances at Friday Night Fights; a heavy, six fight card, a decent sized venue, and promoting the whole thing with his company alone. But nothing like the chance he was taking with Derric Rossy. Insiders told him he was crazy, pitting the twenty-five year old Rossy (9-0 5 KOs) against the veteran Gary Bell (22-3-1 15KOs). The Rossy-Polk fight was Derric’s first eight round bout. This would be his first ten rounder. His lack of experience in long fights could have been a liability. Why break the kid’s confidence in a title fight against such an established fighter? Musumeci took the chance on his new star.

Who could guess what Sal Musumeci was thinking with the vacant New York State Heavyweight Championship belt held high over his head before the start of the main event? But if Sal Musumeci thinks like he talks, then there was only one thing on his mind: confidence.

Derric Rossy’s opponent was Gary Bell. Bell is old school. He’s trained with the best of them and has seen his share of wars in his long career. He roamed the ring when guys named Holyfield, Tyson and Bowe were creating the last great era of heavyweight fights. He’s an inch shorter than Rossy but has about five pounds on him and looks every bit of it. Bell has that linebacker look, broad and strong up top, with a sturdy base and sharp boxer intelligence. Of Rossy’s nine previous fights, this opponent was by far his most challenging. And rightfully so, this was for the title.

Bell wasn’t local. He’s a Queens native that brought his own fans from Brooklyn, Queens and a touch of the Bronx. They came all the way out to the Island to show their support. His people were loud and loyal, and before the fight started they made their presence known. Unfortunately for Bell, this was Nassau, and only a scant eleven exits away on the LIE lays Derric Rossy’s home, Patchogue. Who is Derric Rossy? Whoever he is he has a rabid fan base that even he didn’t fully know until that night.

The opening round epitomized one undeniable fact about Derric Rossy. He’s smart. He pressured Bell to find his weaknesses and backed off when he touched on his strengths. During his previous fight at Mohegan Sun, Derric hounded the larger Polk relentlessly around the ring. Polk refused to engage him, but instead of leaving himself open, Derric recognized his opponents’ weakness and decided instead to wear him down over eight rounds, using near flawless boxing skill. Polk was no match for such a skilled fighter.

The fight against Bell was more of the same type of intelligence, except this time Rossy knew Bell would stand and fight, and he took advantage of this early and often. By the end of the first round, Rossy had landed a series of strong, stiff jabs, all of them hitting square on Bell’s nose, eyes or chin. They were precise punches and preludes to where Rossy knew he would take advantage in the later rounds.

Rossy didn’t keep anyone in suspense. Seconds into the second round he increased the pressure and pace on the older fighter, forcing him to the corner and making him fight his way out. Rossy’s attack intensified and before the first minute marker Bell was in serious trouble. The nasty right hand that sent Bell to the canvas wasn’t unexpected, but it was flawless. Like a lot of great athletes, Rossy makes his profession seem easy. His punch generates so much power from his hips and torso that his arm and fist barely move. The force was enough to knock the heavier Bell flat to the canvas. It is this type of execution and skill that will propel Rossy as far as his fists will let him.

Gary Bell is tough. The shot that landed him on the mat was enough to make him woozy but not enough to take him out. The fighters reengaged and Derric again stuck to the basics, not giving Bell anything to punch at, keeping his hands up and his guard high. Rossy knew Bell was dangerous, and a wounded animal fights all the more fierce. The crowd at this point was nearly coming undone. Everyone was on their feet and every jab that Rossy landed was greeted by a swell of cheers. Rossy fed off of them and when he landed the vicious left-right hook combo that sent Bell for his second trip to the floor, they erupted with exaltation.

But Derric stayed cool. He headed to his corner at the ref’s request and stood there, bouncing on his toes, waiting for his next shot. He had to know this fight was all but his. He had to hear the people chanting. He had to understand that the belt was within his grasp. He had to know all of this. But looking at his face there was only one thing discernable; focus.

The taps for the ten-second mark sounded but it was barely audible over the screaming ‘Ros-sy’ chants. And with a mere two seconds left in the round, Rossy made it official, putting Bell down for good. The fight was over. He beat his most challenging opponent in two short rounds. He looked the old school in the eye and declared, the new school is here and it’s here to stay.

Who is Derric Rossy? Ask Sal Musumeci and he’ll tell you he’s the next big thing. He’s the fighter that’s going to take not only Final Forum to the next level, but all of New York boxing as well. Gary Bell will probably tell you he’s the new kid in the neighborhood with the smarts to match the deceiving power his 6’4” body holds. Derric Rossy is the New York State Heavy Weight Champion. Who is Derric Rossy? The rest of the boxing world will be asking this question soon enough.

 

Q&A: Derric Rossy! February 10, 2006 By Jason "J-Gon" Gonzalez

Medford’s own Derric Rossy (9-0, 5KO’s) is the ‘Big Boy’ that is looking to graduate to the big leagues. The 25-year-old heavyweight prospect is expecting to graduate to the majors hoping to become a heavy-hitter in the division. Rossy faces Jamaica, Queens’ own Gary “Bring Da Pain” Bell (22-3-1-1 with 15 KO’s) for the vacant New York State Heavyweight Title. Considering that Bell has more knockouts than what Rossy has fights, this is a major step up in competition for the soft spoken Long Islander of Puerto Rican and Italian decent. “This is the biggest fight of my career”, said Derric Rossy, “it’s time for me to make a move in the heavyweight division.” On paper this move that Rossy is talking about making seems extremely difficult to make, on top of being way too risky.
This heavyweight showdown between Bell and Rossy was originally scheduled for December 29th, at Club Amazura in Jamaica, Queens. The winner of the Gary Bell-Derric Rossy bout will undoubtedly become the number one heavyweight in the entire state of New York. Or as we say in the street vernacular the ‘Top Dawg.’ You can expect the ‘Top Dawg’ to be taking a big bite out of the ‘Big Apple’ in the near future.
Tune in for this Fightnews exclusive as we go one on one with the former defensive lineman from Boston College. Hear everything that the 6’4, 235 pound silent assassin had to say and much more.
You were a defensive lineman at Boston College. Explain to the readers on Fightnews.com of the skill transfer from football to boxing.
I didn’t want to lose the footwork. The footwork is the same; there is a lot of lateral of movement. The punching aspect was a whole different variable in the equation. I had to learn how to punch. But the one common bond that is shared in both sports is without question MENTAL TOUGHNESS! This is a rough sport and you have to be mentally prepared for what you can encounter on a daily basis in this sport.
Derric, please tell us about your amateur career.
I won the Golden Gloves in the Super Heavyweight Novice Division. I fought in the Empire State Games as well the New York State Games. I won the New York State Amateur Title. I got to defend it once. So in total I had ten amateur fights and I went 10-0.
Derric, would you say that fighting at home so soon in your young career has been the greatest accomplishment you have achieved so far?
Definitely, fighting at home is great. Whenever you’re fighting at home you get more support. That local fan base is the best, there is nothing like it. Like I have said in the past, this is a home game for me. With a background in college football, I appreciate the concept of home field advantage. Although it’s two different sports and I am fully aware that the crowd can’t fight for me, being at home gives me that extra boost of confidence and motivation.
Now you have fought in the Garden before, are you saying that being back on Long Island is a bigger accomplishment than fighting at Madison Square?
Nah, not at all. The Garden is the Mecca of Boxing. The Garden is in New York and so is Long Island. Madison Square Garden is home and Long Island is home. The only difference is that there will be more of a local fan base in Long Island. With me being from Long Island, the guys that I grew up with will have an easier time coming out to see me, that’s all.
Tomorrow night you will be facing Gary Bell. Bell has been in there with the likes of David Tua, Jameel McCline and Evander Holyfield. Obviously he has been in there with some heavy hitters and he brings tons of experience to the table. Considering your just nine fights into your career, how hard was it preparing for someone who has more knockouts than you have fights?
Well his experience definitely presents a problem. Gay Bell is a savvy veteran of the game. But its not so much about anticipating what he brings. I mean to some degree it is important, but I can’t fight his fight. I have to fight my fight. You can question if I am ready for what he brings, but is he ready for what I bring?. Does he have an answer for what I bring to the table? I am confident in my abilities. I like to fall back on my skills, my conditioning is great and be it as it may: I am ready!
Experience can go both ways, especially when it comes to boxing. Too many tough fights in row can be detrimental to the Human Anatomy. Do you look at it as wear and tear on his body? If so will you exploit that?
I look at it as if his body has wear and tear. I am younger and fresher. This is the classical match up of youth versus experience. I expect Bell to bring it and you can expect me to bring it as well. Come tomorrow night I plan on exploiting whatever flaws I see. This is going to be a great fight and I am ready for whatever happens.
The winner of this bout will be recognized as the number one heavyweight in New York State. Tell us what would that do for Derric Rossy?
Being considered the best amongst such a big pool would be wonderful. It would allow me to take my career up a notch. I am in this game to win it. I simply want to be the best at what I do, if not having the belt reflects the opposite of what I am saying, then I want all of the belts… (Laughing)
Is there any connection between you being the former New York State Amateur Champion and you fighting for the prestigious trinket as a pro?
Laughing… You know I thought about that myself. But I can honestly tell you that I don’t know. If I can use one word to describe the situation, I would say ironic. But yes I do agree that from a professional standpoint it is rather strange (laughing).
Granted, I know you are not looking past Gary Bell. I am fully aware that Friday night means the world to you. But please for one second try to envision your self as the champ. Tell me what would it mean to you being the New York State Champion?
It would be an honor. It’s an overwhelming feeling. Being the best in a boxing hotbed like New York hopefully is a stepping-stone for bigger and better things. As far as boxing goes I am for real and I plan on being around for a little while.
Again to reiterate what had been said before, I know you are not looking past Gary Bell, but pending a victorious outcome you would have to continue fighting Gary Bell type of guys on a more consistent basis. Are ready for such an arduous task so soon in your young career?
That’s a good question and yes I have thought about it. I know where your coming from and this is a rough game. So in certain cases it’s better to come up slow. But I feel ready for whatever the situation calls for. I can’t say no to any fight. I have a tremendous supporting cast. I am very thankful to all of them. Whatever my promoter Sal Musumeci and my trainer Bobby Jackson agree on is fine with me. I have enough confidence in them to know that they have my best interest at heart. You need to have guys like that around you. You need that gauge. You need that backbone.
If you do win the prestigious strap will you defend it or vacate it if the right opportunity came along?
Depends on the situation, I would defend it if I have to. If a better opportunity presents itself then of course I am all over it. But of course bigger is always better. And you know what? I don’t mind bigger (laughing).
Derric the times I have seen you, you have conducted yourself as the consummate professional. A true gentleman and a scholar, obviously that alone separates you from most guys in the game. Has the element of class left the sport or is it just not seen enough?
Definitely people have class, but just like you said you don’t see it enough. Most people have the idea that boxers are straight up thugged out hooligans. I am not saying it’s a complete farce because you do have good and bad in everything, but the truth is being distorted a tad bit. Class brings the fans. Boxing isn’t as popular as it was back in the days. When you do things the right way people will notice it. Hopefully with time the mainstream media will acknowledge it as well.
Okay, we know one thing that separates Derric Rossy from the rest of the bunch. What other traits and qualities do you have that will distinguish you as the ‘top of the heap’?
I feel that I bring some excitement, not only to the heavyweight division but the game itself. Every time I step in that squared circle I bring it. I am an entertainer and my duty is to entertain. I entertain the fans.
In thirty seconds or less tell the fans and readers of Fightnews.com why they should come out to the Huntington Hilton Friday night?
They should come out to support a fellow Islander. And I am not talking about hockey (laughing). It’s going to be an explosive night of boxing and my fight with Gary Bell is going to be one to remember. It’s going to be a great fight.
As the saying goes all good things must come to an end. We have reached that point in time of the interview, Derric are there any final comments you would like to add or make that may have not been mentioned in the interview? Now is the time…
I hope the fight goes the way I want it to. I am in this game for the duration; I will be here for a while. I really do love this sport. I hope the fans come out in droves. I will see everybody Friday Night.