by James Slater: On the under-card of the Firat Arslan-Darnell Wilson WBA cruiserweight title fight in Stuttgart, Germany on May 3rd, a decent and quite interesting heavyweight pairing takes place. The unbeaten 25 year old Ukrainian Alexander Dimitrenko squares up against the once-beaten 27 year old New Yorker Derric Rossy. At stake will be the WBO Inter-continental heavyweight strap..
The 27-0 (17) Dimitrenko, a former world junior heavyweight amateur champion, turned pro back in December of 2001, since then he has beaten some decent names. Men like Julius Francis, Chris Koval, Vaughn Bean and, most recently, Timo Hoffman have all been beaten by the 6’7″ Dimitrenko. Now, against the equally huge (weight-wise) Rossy, he will be defending his Inter-continental belt for the sixth time.
Standing at 6’3,” the 18-1(10) Rossy is most known to U.S fight fans for his brave, but losing effort against then unbeaten up-and-comer “Fast” Eddie Chambers. On that occasion, back in February of last year, Chambers proved way too slick and skilful for the aggressive but slow-footed Rossy – stopping him in 7 rounds. Since then, however, the 27 year old has managed so-so wins over Ronald Bellamy, Zack Page, and, most notably, a way past his best “Merciless” Ray Mercer. A win over the highly touted Dimitrenko would likely pave the way for at least one big payday for the 250-pounder.
Rossy, a former American football player (he was on the Boston college team) has fast hands and is full of heart and courage – as those who saw his fight with Chambers will know. Indeed, Rossy took such a bad beating in that fight many thought we’d perhaps seen the last of the former football player in a boxing ring. Many former ball payers have tried the sweet science in the past, of course, with not many having any success at all. Maybe Rossy will be able to go one better than the likes of Alonzo Highsmith and Ed “Too Tall” Jones, to name just two who traded the helmet for the gloves.
As I say, big things, at least in his now native Germany, are expected of the 27-0 Dimitrenko. He has size, above average punching power and desire. Will that be enough for him to see off the challenge of Rossy and then go on to bigger and better things? We will see come may 3rd, an hour or so before Arslan and “The Ding-A-Ling Man” get it on.