23 Facts About Roger Rouse

Roger Rouse competed in the men's middleweight event at the 1956 Summer Olympics.

Roger Rouse 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.

Roger Rouse was born in Anaconda, Montana on June 3,1934, and grew up in an area commonly referred to as Opportunity, Montana, a few miles from Anaconda.

Roger Rouse's father worked as a foreman at the nearby Anaconda Copper Smelter.

Roger Rouse attended Anaconda High School and was a standout athlete in both basketball and football and was awarded all- state honors in football his senior year in 1953.

Roger Rouse started boxing when he was about nine years old, fighting his older brother Don, after their father gave each of them a pair of boxing gloves.

Nevertheless, Roger Rouse continued to accept his brother's challenges to go out to the barn for some sparing.

But, shortly after arriving at the university, Roger Rouse injured his knee in practice, and was unable to play football.

In 1955, Roger Rouse married Lorena Avis Ryan on June 3,1956, in Pocatello.

Roger Rouse was a collegiate boxer for Idaho State University from 1953 through 1957.

In 1954, Roger Rouse won the Golden Gloves title in Chicago, and in 1956, Roger Rouse was crowned champion of the NCAA Tournament in the middleweight division.

In recognition of his impressive collegiate accomplishments, Roger Rouse was chosen to represent the United States in the middleweight division at the 1956 Olympics held at Melbourne, Australia.

Roger Rouse was eliminated in the quarterfinals in what many observers viewed as a controversial decision, given that the French fighter that won the split decision by the judges was forced to drop out of the competition the next day due to the beating he received from Roger Rouse.

Roger Rouse made his professional debut as a light-heavyweight at the Cow Palace in San Francisco which he won.

Between 1956 and 1959, Roger Rouse had 13 professional fights, and was undefeated.

On March 11,1960 Roger Rouse fought for the first time at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Roger Rouse's 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.

Roger Rouse won the contest with a knockout in the first round.

However, it was two years later, in November 1967 that Roger Rouse would get his shot at the light-heavyweight championship in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Roger Rouse retired from boxing in 1972, with a professional record of 39 wins, 23 loses, and 4 draws.

Roger Rouse worked at the Copper Smelter in Anaconda, Montana until its closure in 1980, and was active as a boxing coach for the local Police Athletic League for several years.

Roger Rouse died in Helena, Montana on March 7,1999 of Alzheimer's.

Roger Rouse was survived by his wife Avis, and two sons, Bill and Cash Rouse.