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Remembering Tough Chicago Fighter Luke Capuano

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Luke Capuano, 21-5, 20 KO’s was a tough boxer-brawler who fought in the light heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions, and is best remembered for his two battles against former WBA World Light Heavyweight champion Mike Rossman. Luke, who lived in Chicago’s Taylor Street neighborhood, was a warrior that made “The Windy City” proud to call him one of their own.

On September 9,1978, Luke Capuano knocked out Bill Jackson in his first professional bout. Capuano would win his first 13 bouts, twelve by knockout, including a unanimous decision victory over El Boom Boom Moorer at the Aragon Ballroom in downtown Chicago. Moorer,7-6, 7 KO’s had suffered four straight knockout losses entering the contest, but was still able to go the distance with Capuano in his last professional fight.

One of Capuano’s most impressive victories came on September 7, 1979, when he knocked out the heavier Dan Kiser in 68 seconds. Kiser had entered the fight outweighing Capuano by ten pounds, but Luke showed the audience at the Circle Arena in Chicago that he was still the stronger fighter.

After fighting his first thirteen bouts in his hometown of Chicago, Capuano made his debut at the Resorts International in Atlantic City, New Jersey on February 24, 1980. In perhaps one of the most disappointing moments of his career, Capuano was upset by Dave Lee Royster, who came into the fight with a losing record after twenty-six career bouts, losing by unanimous decision.

Capuano did not fare any better when he took his show on the road to Nevada for his next fight. On March 16, 1980, less than a month after his last bout, Luke would lose for the second consecutive time by unanimous decision, this time to Lee Burkey at the Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.

After a difficult road trip, Luke returned back to the Windy City to get his career back on track. Capuano began a six fight winning streak by crushing Adolfo Rivas at the Uptown Theatre on April 14th, less than one month after his previous bout. Rivas, who entered the fight with only one win in his twenty-eight professional fights, was overwhelmed in this mismatch. However, Capuano had set himself up to fight the former WBA World Light Heavyweight Champion Mike Rossman.

Mike “The Jewish Bomber” Rossman had won and then lost the Light Heavyweight crown to Victor Galindez in two epic battles before facing Capuano in their first showdown on November 13, 1980 at the International Amphitheatre in Chicago. Rossman entered the fight on a two fight winning streak, including a knockout win over Al Bolden in his last fight. The Rossman-Capuano fight lived up to expectations of being a tremendous matchup for all those who had the opportunity to witness the event.

The fight was a tremendous war as both fighters took a lot of punishment. The fifth round was one of the best rounds of the year as both men exchanged brutal punches on the inside. With neither man giving an inch, both landed heavy blows in the last minute of the round. After a very memorable fifth round, Rossman took control and won the sixth round. Capuano remained resilient and bounced back nicely; however, Luke was completely out of gas in the tenth round, and Rossman was able to win the fight with a strong finish. Fans knew Capuano was tough and could take a punch, but Rossman showed he was also able to take Luke’s best shots.

In an interview with Paul Martin of the Chicago Tribune in 1991, referee Stanley Berg recalled the first encounter between Rossman and Capuano. “The most exciting fight I refereed here in Chicago was the bout between Mike Rossman and Luke Capuano in 1980. Rossman had just lost his light-heavyweight title the year before, and this was a real opportunity for Capuano”.

“It was a great fight. I had it even going into the final round, and Rossman won it. Luke was a local boy, but my integrity was at stake. I was secretly pulling for him, but I had to call it as I saw it. A lot of my friends were mad at me afterwards”. Berg, one of the three judges, scored the bout 46-45, while judge Harold Marovitz scored the bout 48-46 and judge Gordon Volkman scored it 45-45. Rossman would walk with a majority decision on Capuano’s home turf.

It was the first loss of his career for Capuano in his hometown of Chicago. However, he would rebound with a technical knockout victory over Jimmy Claar on January 15,1981 at the Conrad Hilton Hotel. The rematch with Rossman would be next for the brawler from the Windy City.
On February 22, 1981, Luke Capuano would square off against his rival again, but this time the fight with Rossman would also take place at the Conrad Hilton Hotel. However, unlike their first battle, Rossman would leave the ring with a ten-round unanimous decision this time. Another tough battle, but not as controversial as the first encounter. Capuano had given his all in both fights with the former champion, but unfortunately, he was unable to come away with a win in either one.

On December 15, 1982, Luke Capuano registered the last victory of his career when scored a knockout victory over Lon Dale Friesen at the Aragon Ballroom. Then, in his last fight, Capuano returned back to New Jersey to finish up his boxing career. Once again, Luke came away with a loss; however, this time he was stopped for the only time during his fighting days. On March 3,1983, at the Harrah’s Marina Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, Raymond White was able to pick up the technical knockout victory over Capuano.

Chicago has been home of some of America’s most memorable athletes, such as Walter Payton and Ernie Banks. The Windy City has always loved and embraced tough guys such as NFL Hall-of-Famers Mike Ditka and Dick Butkus, who played for their beloved Bears. Chicago will always be remembered for being the city that Al Capone, one of the most notorious gangsters in history, ruled during the Prohibition period. Nevertheless, Luke Capuano, who owned the city for a few short years, gave the boxing fans of Chicago something to be proud of as well. Capuano was inducted into the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame in 2015.

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