Known as the school tough guy with a reputation for not backing down from a fight, former Englewood resident Richard Lee Gannon has cashed in on his aggressiveness in a big way.

Now a professional boxer, Gannon, who had his name legally changed to Rocky, last week defeated previously undefeated Richard Hall (17-0) to become the International Boxing Council's light heavyweight world champion.

He won $13,000 in that fight and feels he stands to make if he can successfully defend his title five times. Gannon currently lives in Bay City, Mich. where Art Dore, founder of the Toughman competitions, lives. When Dore got into the boxing business Gannon became his first fighter.

Boxing has given Gannon a new perspective on life and rules for fighting. During his high school days he got kicked out of school a few times for fighting and a few other notable confrontations around town, but all that's behind him now. "I don't fight anyone unless it's in the ring for money," said Gannon. "Once I retire that's it. I love the sport of boxing and i'll also love it when I leave it."

After graduating from Northmont in 1988, Gannon became a bartender, then entered a Toughman contest at Hara Arena in 1990. He won a fight and lost one due to a badly cut toe that hindered his success in that bout. But a year later came back and won the heavyweight division at the 1991 Toughman contest. Two months later he decided to turn pro.

In his early career Gannon fought bouts that were added attractions at Toughman contests. In a few fights he went against heavyweights, fights he admits he shouldn't have taken and earned only $200 per fight for his first 15 bouts.

With a vigorous training schedule Gannon has forged ahead and worked his way up to the IBC light heavyweight championship. "I always had a dream to be the heavyweight champion. I run eight miles a day, go to the boxing gym at noon to hit the heavy bag, the speed bag, the double end ball bag and jump rope," stated Gannon. "I do about an hour and a half to two hours of high intensity training. You don't want to pussyfoot around or train much longer than an hour and a half because your fights only last 36 minutes. I then go to Old Town Gym in Bay City and lift weights for two hours."

Now with two belts to his credit, Gannon says he wants eight more before he calls it quits. "I have a goal to have 10 belts by the time I leave the sport," stated Gannon.

He knocked out undefeated Demetrius Jenkins in the first round to earn the Michigan state light heavyweight title.

His victory over Hall on June 4 was Impressive for several reasons. Hall was the world's eighth ranked light heavyweight managed by none other than legendary Sugar Ray Leonard. Gannon pummeled Hall with a barrage of punches throughout the fight, but was knocked down twice himself in the second round. Bleeding profusely from a cut above his right eye, Gannon battled back and pounded Hall relentlessly with an unpredictable array of punches. Even though Hall looked like he was ready to fall at any moment throughout the middle rounds, he staggered around the ring on wobbly legs and managed to stage an eighth round comeback. Gannon feels Hall came out strong in the eighth because Gannon had stated he would defeat him in that round. Hall gave it all he had and Gannon poured it on until the fight was stopped 1:55 into the tenth round.

Undefeated fighters will fight until they die," observed Gannon. "That's why I kept pouring it on." In viewing the videotape of the fight, it was hard to believe Gannon was unranked while Hall was the eighth ranked fighter.

The USA Network commentators felt Gannon's not being ranked was due to the stigma of his past as a Toughman competitor. Gannon's fight was entertaining to watch with very few, if any, dull moments. His relentless attack and in your face fighting style kept the fans chanting "Rocky... Rocky... Rocky" during most of the rounds.

Gannon feels fans are important and deserve to be treated with respect. The modern practice of professional athletes charging fans for their autograph rubs him the wrong way. "One thing I'll never do is charge for my autograph, no matter how much money I make or how famous I become. To me, that's wrong," said Gannon. "I'm still the same person. The only difference is I have a little more money now. The fans pay their hard-earned money to support boxing, baseball. whatever sport and shouldn't have to pay lo get an autograph.