page_title: Roger Rouse
section_title: Professional boxing career
hierarchical_section_title: Roger Rouse / Professional boxing career
caption_attribution_description: English: Rouse with boxing gloves
context_page_description: Roger Rouse was an American boxer. He competed in the men's middleweight event at the 1956 Summer Olympics. He was one of the top collegiate boxers while attending Idaho State University, and later as a professional boxer, twice fought for the world light-heavyweight championship.
context_section_description: In April 1958, Rouse turned pro, and agreed to be managed by Sid Flaherty, a prominent West Coast boxing manager in San Francisco & Portland. Rouse made his professional debut as a light-heavyweight at the Cow Palace in San Francisco which he won. Between 1956 and 1959, Rouse had 13 professional fights, and was undefeated.  On March 11, 1960 Rouse fought for the first time at Madison Square Garden in New York City. His opponent was Harold Simmons. The six round bout ended with Simmons defeating Rouse (his first loss) in an unanimous decision by the judges.
  His first professional fight in his hometown of Anaconda was a matchup against Johnny Persol, a light-heavyweight contender with a record at the time of 12 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw. Rouse won the contest with a knockout in the first round.
  After putting together a record of 27 wins (including 13 by KO), 5 losses, and 3 draws, including string of wins  ), Rouse, now being called the “Opportunity Kid” was named the number-one light heavyweight contender in November 1965, and was expected to get a shot at the title in the near future. 
  
  However, it was two years later, in November 1967 that Rouse would get his shot at the light-heavyweight championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. He would fight Dick Tiger, at the time the world champion. Rouse and Tiger would battle for twelve rounds, until Tiger KO’d Rouse to end the fight and retain his title. 
  Three years later (April 4, 1970), Rouse would again contend for the light-heavyweight title, this time against current title-holder Bob Foster. The 15 round championship fight was held in Missoula, Montana, about 90 minutes from Rouse’s hometown of Anaconda, Montana. Foster won the contest in the fifth round by technical knockout.
  The Foster fight was Rouse’s last attempt to win the light-heavyweight title. After being defeated by Foster, Rouse continued to box, but was never again a contender for the title. Rouse retired from boxing in 1972, with a professional record of 39 wins, 23 loses, and 4 draws.
caption: Roger Rouse 1967
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