If a fighter had ” future champ ” stamped on his forehead, Mike Nixon did. He was a smooth boxer with a good punch. He had solid skills and a lot of heart. He was a real crowd pleaser. For all the attributes Mike had he lacked one thing…The ability to take a good punch. He was stopped six 
times in his thirty seven-bout career. In fact he stopped in three rounds by Larry Davis in his pro debut in 1970. Mike was a raw eighteen-year-old kid at the time and he showed the grit and determination to come back and win thirteen in a row. In 1971 he was halted in nine by George Davis. In 1972 twice Art Davis kayoed him. Mike learned to stay away from guys with the last name of Davis.
Mike would reel off eight victories in a row plus a ninth round no contest against the rated David Love in 1974. In 1975 he lost a decision to Olympic Gold Medal winner Sugar Ray Seales. He then scored an upset points verdict over future light heavyweight champion, Mike Rossman. The rematch produced one of the most devastating knockouts I’ve ever seen. In the seventh round of a close and competitive fight, Rossman launched a right hand that landed like a guided missile on Nixon’s jaw. Need I say ” lights out “? It was one of the hardest punches I’ve ever seen landed.
Nixon would return and in 1976 he lost in ten to clever Tony Licata. Then in a stunning upset Mike stopped the highly touted South African Gert Steyn in five rounds. Nixon was now backing in the thick of the middleweight picture. In 1977 Nixon was matched with the rough and tumble Vito Antuofermo. Vito, who was on his way to the world’s middleweight championship ended Mike’s dream in the fourth round. That was Nixon’s last fight. He retired with a very respectable 27-8-1 record. During his career he gained some acclaim as the Jerry and Mike Quarry’s brother-in-law. Nixon though cut his own path through the ratings and although he did not reach the top, he did mix with some of the best.
One minor correction to the Mike Nixon story. The fighter who stopped Nixon in his pro debut was named GEORGE Davis–the same “Indian George” Davis who defeated Mike a second timein a big upset at the Anaheim Convention Center, just when Mike appeared to be hitting his stride.
boxer: Dennis Mancino
Global ID 84104
sex male
division middleweight
nationality United States
residence Los Angeles, California, United States
won 1 (KO 0) + lost 6 (KO 1) + drawn 1 = 8
rounds boxed 38 KO% 0
(From boxrec.com)
Linda,
I put my email address in here. However it didn’t show up. I’ll try again. [email protected]. If it doesn’t show up a second time, call me and I’ll give it to you.
lol … I see you are still fighting for justice! Semi-retired!? I’m jealous! I would prefer to write to your email address, however, I don’t know what it is. It does not show up on this site when you post a comment. Would you care to share? It’s very difficult for me to call at work, so emailing would be much easier for me … right now anyways.
Linda…Write to my email address instead. I don’t check this site often and it appears that there is a delay from here to my email address. I’m doing well. Semi-retired in 2005. Bought a machine shop, got out of manufacturing management altogether, worked for Star Parker at urbancure.org as Director of External Affairs in charge of the education project where I sued LAUSD and Compton USD for failing to comply with the “transfer” provision of No CHild Left behind. Built a nice home. Have run a few political campaigns over the last several years. I’ll share more when you call. Hope all is well with you too.
Yes …. it’s me. Good to hear from you John! I hope you are doing well! I don’t remember ever having your cell phone number, so thank you for providing it. I’ll try calling soon! It would be nice to “catch up”.
I actually now remember that I worked with a Carpenter at Ampex Corporation. However, that was a guy, not a woman. So is this really Linda? If so, call me when you can: 949-285-4689. Don’t live in OC anymore, but kept same cell for years.
OMG! Does Linda Dale ring a bell?
Yes, I am the same guy who worked at MSI. What’s new with you? I remember your name, but refresh my memory a little.
To John (Dennis) Mancino ~ Is this the same John Mancino that worked at MSI Data Corp in late 1970 through 80’s? Sure sounds like it from your post. I remember you telling me of your sparring sessions with Ken Norton and George Foreman, so thought this may be you. If so, how the heck are you!?! I think of you often and wonder how you’re doing.
I sparred with Mike Nixon numerous times at the famous Main St. Gym in Los Angeles during the early to mid-1970s. Mike was a great fighter and a class act. His trainer, Mel, was also a great guy. I was a young and new fighter at the time and learned a lot from Mike, who should have been a world champion. I sparred with a lot of big-name fighters, including George Foreman, Pedro Lovell, “Indian Red” Lopez, Pipino Cuevas – who I knocked down in a LA Forum sparring session – and Ken Norton for nine months at the Hoover St. Gym. And of all the guys I worked with, Mike Nixon, Ken Norton, and Pedro Lovell were the guys who represented real class. Don’t see too many today with that kind of class in the sport. We were spoiled in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70s.
I was a former neighbor and friend of Mike and Wilma Nixon in the early 1970’s. We shared a duplex with them in Huntington Beach for a few years. Would like to reconnect, socially. I have read that Wilma remarried but I don’t know where either of them are living or how to reach them now. Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Debbie
[email protected]
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