The Neutral Corner

Former 2008 New York State Heavy Weight and Golden Cloves Champion Derrick Rossy will conduct a training session with Long Island High School students on Monday, November 10th at the Brentwood Recreational Center.

Rossy, a 1997 Patchogue-Medford High School graduate, is a former Hansen Trophy winner who went on to play football at Boston College.

Rossy is working with the Suffolk PAL "mentoring program" and will focus on reaching kids who at risk for dropping out of school.

-- CASSIDY

Patchogue heavyweight Derrick Rossy (17-1) scored a unanimous 12-round decision over 46-year-old former WBO heavyweight champ Ray Mercer (35-7-1) on Saturday night in Macau, China.

The official scores were 117-111, 117-111, 115-113.

The only knockdown in the fight was scored in the 12th and final round by Mercer.

"I was off balance and he hit me," said Rossy. "My hats off to this guy. Ray
Mercer could beat anybody in our division, he's tough and can hit like hell."

Rossy returns to Long Island with three new belts; the NABO, WBF and
WBC Asia Heavyweight titles. -- CASSIDY

When it comes to training, fighters have not been too creative. It's your basic heavybag, speedbag and sparring. Some guys still chop wood and toss around a medicine ball. Not so for Patchogue's Derric Rossy, who fights former WBO heavyweight champ Ray Mercer in Macau, China on Jan. 26. To prepare, Rossy spent two months training with monks at the Shaolin temple in Macau. His routine consisted of running in the mountains with rocks tied to his waist and ankles, and, get this, to toughen the hands, the monks inserted a layer of crushed glass between his gloves and hands wraps while hitting the heavybag. And don't expect the traditional steak and eggs pre-fight meal. Rossy lost 25 pounds on a diet of rice, chicken and fish. -- CASSIDY

Patchogue's Derric Rossy will fight Ray Mercer in China, on January, 26. The news will be released later today at a press conference with promoter Sal Musumeci.

The fight will take place at The Venetian, in Macao, China. At stake will be the NABO, WBF and WBC Asian heavyweight titles. Rossy is 17-1 and a former standout defensive end for Boston College, where he preceeded the Giants' Mathias Kiwanuka at the position.

"You can't underestimate Mercer," said Rossy, 27. "His best days may be behind him, but he's still very savvy and very strong."

Mercer, who is 46, won the heavyweight gold medal at the 1988 Olympics and also held the WBO heavyweight title. He last fought in September of 2007, knocking out Mikael Lindblad in Sweden. -- CASSIDY