Bruce Strauss (Ruben Bardot)
Born
Bruce Strauss

(1952-02-06) February 6, 1952 (age 72)
Omaha, Nebraska, United States
NationalityUnited States American
Other namesThe Mouse
Statistics
Weight(s)Middleweight
Height5 ft 8.5 in (1.74 m)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights135
Wins77
Wins by KO55
Losses53
Draws5
No contests0

Bruce Strauss (born February 6, 1952, in Omaha, Nebraska)[1] is an American retired boxer who is more known for his losses than for his wins. His nickname is The Mouse or simply Mouse. He achieved notoriety in the 1970s and 1980s after fighting, and generally losing, to a wide variety of opponents, with him also being known for his cheery, easy-going personality. His life was made into the well-received 1997 comedy-drama film The Mouse, in which he was portrayed by actor John Savage.[2]

Generally a middleweight using a "colorful" fighting style, Strauss opened his career on June 1, 1976, with a four-round decision win over Gary Maize (also listed as "Gary Maiza") in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He has estimated that he has fought over 300 times over the years, with most matches taking place through using aliases and other forms of subterfuge to get around rules. His long career took him to multiple continents and saw him facing a large group of opponents.[3]

Career and personal life

First dubbed "Mousie" during his school years in New Milford, New Jersey, Strauss began intensive bodybuilding while in high school. From his early boxing days, he was often described as a "journeyman", a title given to fighters who typically fight anyone and anywhere, often on short notice. Nevertheless, he became famous around boxing circles because of the number of fights he lost by knockout.[3] Officially, he lost 28 fights by knockout out of a total of 53 losses,[1] but it has been estimated that, combined with his fights using the Ruben Bardot alias, he might have actually lost more than 150 fights by knockout. He himself has made mockery of his knockout loss number, stating that he is "probably the only boxer in history that has lost by knockout on every continent."

He once joked that the only reason that he hadn't fought and lost in Antarctica was that he hated being cold. In a 1990 Kayo boxing cards set, he posed while sitting on the canvas, with black make-up covering his eye, as he held on to a ring rope. As stated before, he would sometimes use the alias of "Ruben Bardot" to obtain fights.[citation needed]

Strauss has revealed that he got around rules forcing boxers to wait a certain amount of time, over a month, before fighting again by measures such as donning disguises and filling his pockets with lead to change his weight class.[2] The book Boxing in America: An Autopsy labeled him a "colorful" fighter that became "something of a legend". It remarked as well that he "made a habit of doing whatever it took to survive at times", noting how Strauss once quipped to a referee upset with Strauss' unfair low blows that "Well, it ain't fair that he's better than me, neither."[3]

A 1997 article in The New York Times described Strauss as a "tireless but inept 'professional opponent'", while also comparing him to "the stock caricature of the cuddly loudmouthed palooka." The newspaper also stated, "For Bruce, losing isn't just a reliable way of make a living, it's his personal philosophy."[2] Strauss has declared that most of his matches weren't done in his own name, having fought (and mostly lost) more than three hundred times in his long career in his estimation.[3]

His career began on June 1, 1976, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, when Strauss debuted as a professional boxer. Outpointing Gary Maize (also listed as 'Gary Maiza') after four rounds, he soon set off on the road.[3] His first official knockout defeat came at the hands of Mauricio Aldana on January 10, 1979, fighting in Las Vegas.[1] Strauss also lost fights by knockout in Africa (Cameroon, South Africa), Europe (France, Germany, and Italy), South America (Peru), and Oceania (Fiji). It is unclear whether he actually lost a fight by knockout in Australia or Asia under the "Ruben Bardot" alias.

Strauss fought a number of top challengers and world champions in the middleweight division, including Charlie Weir, Bobby Czyz, Eckhard Dagge, Al Ford, Billy Collins, Mike McCallum, Marlon Starling, David Braxton, and Davey Hilton, among others. He also fought former World Lightweight Champion Harry Arroyo.

His last official fight was a six-round decision win over Terry Jesmer on November 24, 1989. The match took place in Bismarck, North Dakota inside the city's Civic Center.[1]

Strauss officially has a record of 78 wins, 53 losses, and 6 draws (ties),[3] although it has also been reported as 77 wins compared to 53 losses and 6 ties. He is additionally reported to have, officially, 55 knockout wins and 28 knockout losses. As remarked before, he typically fought as a middleweight and used an orthodox stance.[1]

In 1997, a movie was released based on his career entitled The Mouse, in which actor John Savage portrayed him. Written and directed by Dan Adams, the comedy-drama film also starred actress Angelica Torn as Mary Lou Strauss, the Mouse's wife. The movie received praise from publications such as The New York Times.[2] Also featuring comedian Rip Torn, the film featured a number of cameo appearances from well-known boxers such as Randall "Tex" Cobb, Ray Mancini, Vito Antuofermo, and Sean O'Grady.

Professional boxing record

77 wins (55 knockouts, 22 decisions), 53 losses (28 knockouts, 25 decisions), 6 draws[1] Result Record Opponent Type Round Date Location Notes Win 13-22-2 Terry Jesmer UD 6 24/10/1989 Bismarck, North Dakota, United States Win 0-7 Dave Reynolds KO 3 27/05/1989 Bismarck, North Dakota, United States Win -- Howard Stern KO 6 04/03/1989 Bismarck, North Dakota, United States Loss 37-5 Harry Arroyo TKO 2 26/01/1989 Rochester, New York, United States Loss 5-39 Wayne Grant SD 6 13/08/1988 Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States Win 5-35 Wayne Grant UD 6 09/04/1988 Joplin, Missouri, United States Win 0-4 Dave Reynolds TKO 6 04/03/1988 Bismarck, North Dakota, United States Win -- Ron Falk KO 6 02/11/1986 Macy, Nebraska, United States Win 3-18 Wayne Grant KO 8 01/11/1985 Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win 3-17 Wayne Grant UD 8 01/10/1985 Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, United States Win 0-1 Al Bell KO 4 14/06/1985 Louisville, Kentucky, United States Loss 22-1-1 Danny Ferris UD 8 16/03/1985 Troy, New York, United States Win -- "Diamond" Jim McLean PTS 4 22/02/1985 Hammond, Indiana, United States Win 11-13-1 Clyde Beattie UD 8 01/02/1985 Troy, New York, United States Loss 8-0 Ken Snider UD 8 23/01/1985 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Loss 5-0 Jeff Silva UD 6 09/11/1984 Peoria, Illinois, United States Loss 7-0 Ken Snider PTS 6 30/10/1984 Evansville, Indiana, United States Loss 17-1 Mike Hutchinson KO 3 27/10/1984 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, United States Loss 5-0 Jack Callahan UD 6 23/10/1984 Highland, Lake County, Indiana, United States Win 13-8 Pete "Polish Hammer" Podgorski SD 8 10/07/1984 Highland, Lake County, Indiana, United States Draw 19-0 Danny Ferris PTS 8 06/06/1984 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States 5-3, 4-4, 3-4. Win 0-12 Billy Doyle KO 6 16/05/1984 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Win 12-7 Billy Turner KO 3 23/03/1984 Rapid City, South Dakota, United States Draw 10-5-2 Mike Pollitt PTS 6 13/03/1984 Highland, Lake County, Indiana, United States Loss 9-5-2 Mike Pollitt PTS 5 07/02/1984 Highland, Lake County, Indiana, United States Loss 13-0 Brian Brunette TKO 6 08/12/1983 Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Loss 16-0 Dave Hilton, Jr. KO 3 29/07/1983 Cornwall, Ontario, Canada Loss 30-1-3 Fernando Rocco Castro KO 4 30/04/1983 Lima, Peru Draw 9-4-1 Mike Pollitt PTS 6 12/04/1983 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Loss 7-0 Monte Oswald KO 3 05/03/1983 Bay City, Michigan, United States Loss 7-0-1 Helier Custos KO 2 24/02/1983 Paris, France Loss 19-2-1 Wilbert Johnson KO 2 25/01/1983 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Strauss knocked out at 2:25 of the second round. Win -- Richard Thomas KO 6 08/01/1983 Davenport, Iowa, United States Win 8-3-1 Mike Pollitt TKO 5 08/12/1982 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Loss 7-3-1 Mike Pollitt PTS 5 03/11/1982 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win -- Fred Morris KO 4 27/10/1982 West Fargo, North Dakota, United States Loss 4-5 Harlen Holden TKO 7 13/10/1982 Chicago, Illinois, United States Referee stopped the bout at 1:55 of the seventh round. Loss 8-26-2 Lester Groves SD 8 07/10/1982 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Loss 51-4-1 Maurice Watkins KO 3 17/08/1982 Lafayette, Louisiana, United States Loss 37-5-2 Sakaraia Ve KO 3 03/07/1982 Suva, Fiji Win 12-5 Billy Turner KO 7 24/05/1982 Deadwood, South Dakota, United States Loss 4-0 "Irish" Billy Collins, Jr. KO 3 20/05/1982 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Win 0-11 Nick Wills KO 6 20/04/1982 Fargo, North Dakota, United States Loss 36-6 Dale Hernandez PTS 10 06/04/1982 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Loss 21-7 Jean-Andre Emmerich PTS 8 26/03/1982 Kiel, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany Win 0-3 Pete Susens UD 6 18/03/1982 Dodge City, Kansas, United States Win 3-19 Larry Puchta PTS 10 17/03/1982 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win 0-1 Charlie Keller KO 7 25/02/1982 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Loss 54-16 Al Ford UD 10 12/02/1982 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 96-98, 95-99, 98-99. Loss 16-1 Jean-Marie Emebe KO 3 30/01/1982 Yaounde, Cameroon Win 4-1 Willie Dean KO 5 31/12/1981 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Dean knocked out at 1:40 of the fifth round. Draw 11-2 Ghyslain Deroy PTS 10 10/12/1981 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 96-97, 99-94, 98-98. Loss 26-13-2 Larry Stanton KO 3 30/11/1981 Richmond Hill, New York, United States Loss 22-4 Danny Long PTS 8 25/11/1981 Boston, Massachusetts, United States Win 8-26-2 Charlie Peterson TKO 4 05/11/1981 Merrillville, Indiana, United States Referee stopped the bout at 0:49 of the fourth round. Win 0-2 Pete Susens TKO 6 24/10/1981 Dodge City, Kansas, United States Win 0-2 Darrell Miller KO 4 10/10/1981 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Loss 20-4 Gary "Hammer" Holmgren PTS 10 07/10/1981 Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Loss 25-4-1 Eckhard Dagge PTS 8 25/09/1981 Cologne, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany Win -- Tommy Degen PTS 8 20/09/1981 Grand Island, Nebraska, United States Loss 5-2-2 Gordie Lawson KO 5 04/09/1981 Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Win -- Nicky Jefferson KO 4 28/08/1981 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Jefferson knocked out at 2:27 of the fourth round. Win 4-3-1 Ken Reed KO 5 23/08/1981 Grand Island, Nebraska, United States Loss 4-2-2 Gordie Lawson PTS 8 07/08/1981 Port Alberni, British Columbia, Canada Win 0-1 Charlie Powell TKO 4 23/07/1981 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Loss 7-0 Mike "Bodysnatcher" McCallum TKO 3 19/07/1981 Warren, Ohio, United States Win 0-7 Nick Miller KO 4 13/06/1981 Gary, Indiana, United States Win 12-29-2 Billy Goodwin SD 10 06/06/1981 Amery, Wisconsin, United States 97-95, 96-99, 97-95. Win 12-28-2 Jo Jo Jackson SD 6 08/05/1981 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Loss 22-10-1 Bobby Plegge PTS 8 26/04/1981 Canton, Ohio, United States Loss 13-1 David Braxton TKO 4 23/04/1981 Detroit, Michigan, United States Win 3-3 Mark Hughes KO 8 06/04/1981 Bloomington, Minnesota, United States Win 5-0-1 Jimmy Baker PTS 6 28/03/1981 Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss 2-3 Mark Hughes SD 6 19/03/1981 Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States Loss 13-0 Marlon "Magic Man" Starling KO 2 09/02/1981 Hartford, Connecticut, United States Strauss knocked out at 1:20 of the second round. Loss 35-7 Tony McMinn KO 5 31/01/1981 Miami, Oklahoma, United States Win -- Rowan Johnson KO 5 11/01/1981 Saint Louis, Missouri, United States Win 4-6 Ernie Davis PTS 8 11/12/1980 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win 0-1 Pete Susens KO 6 01/11/1980 Wichita, Kansas, United States Win -- Darrell Ned Miller KO 5 30/10/1980 Louisville, Kentucky, United States Win -- Malcolm "X" Gordon TKO 2 28/10/1980 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Loss 13-1 Danny Paul TKO 4 30/09/1980 Niles, Illinois, United States Referee stopped the bout at 2:34 of the fourth round. Loss 10-0 Johnny Compo UD 8 23/09/1980 Edmonton, Alberta, Canada 36-38, 36-38, 35-36. Win -- Charlie Keller KO 10 06/09/1980 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Win -- Dave Holmgren KO 6 30/08/1980 North Platte, Nebraska, United States Win -- Dave Gordon KO 5 29/08/1980 Grand Island, Nebraska, United States Win 0-1 Dave Grant KO 5 24/07/1980 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Grant knocked out at 0:52 of the fifth round. Win 0-5 Nick Miller KO 4 18/07/1980 Grand Island, Nebraska, United States Loss 4-0 Bobby Czyz KO 4 17/07/1980 Totowa, New Jersey, United States Win 12-4 Billy Turner KO 5 28/06/1980 Rapid City, South Dakota, United States Win 0-2 Billy "The Kid Evans KO 3 20/06/1980 Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States Win 0-9 Nick Wills KO 3 18/06/1980 Struthers, Ohio, United States Loss 4-0-1 Charles LaCour SD 8 13/06/1980 Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada Win 6-14 Dave Bolden PTS 8 06/06/1980 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win -- Rodney Foster KO 3 13/05/1980 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win -- Ron Madsap KO 3 26/04/1980 Hastings, Iowa, United States Loss 27-8-1 Ralph Racine KO 5 24/04/1980 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win -- Darryl Springer KO 4 19/04/1980 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Loss 13-1 Nino Gonzalez TKO 8 01/04/1980 Totowa, New Jersey, United States Loss 75-5-4 Juan Jose Gimenez KO 5 29/03/1980 Rome, Lazio, Italy Win -- Ralph Jackson TKO 2 16/03/1980 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win 4-1 O'Dell Willis PTS 6 07/03/1980 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Loss 7-1 Dave Simmonds PTS 10 29/02/1980 Nanaimo, British Columbia, Canada Loss 16-2 Charlie Weir TKO 1 09/02/1980 Johannesburg, South Africa Win -- Frank Patterson TKO 4 20/12/1979 Wichita, Kansas, United States Win -- "Tiny" Tim Ellis KO 2 14/12/1979 Evansville, Indiana, United States Win -- Dave Reynolds TKO 3 08/12/1979 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Referee stopped the bout at 1:30 of the third round. Win -- Billy Evans TKO 3 02/12/1979 Muncie, Indiana, United States Draw -- Macon Davis PTS 4 27/11/1979 Miami Beach, Florida, United States Loss 21-7-1 Eddie Marcelle TKO 7 16/11/1979 Mucurapo, Trinidad and Tobago Win 0-1 Tim Mullens TKO 4 01/11/1979 Wichita, Kansas, United States Win -- Tim Mullens TKO 5 27/10/1979 Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada Win -- Bryan Thompson TKO 3 09/10/1979 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Referee stopped the bout at 1:17 of the third round. Loss 19-1 Pat Hallacy UD 10 18/09/1979 Wichita, Kansas, United States Loss 1-3 Charlie Peterson PTS 8 18/07/1979 Indianapolis, Indiana, United States Win 1-3 Cicero Blake TKO 6 25/06/1979 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Draw 3-8 Terry Jesmer PTS 6 14/06/1979 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win 4-2 Floyd Pearson UD 6 11/06/1979 Chicago, Illinois, United States Win 0-1 Ali Ayub TKO 8 31/05/1979 Brandon, Manitoba, Canada Referee stopped the bout at 2:59 of the eighth round. Win 4-3 Larry Mayes TKO 6 12/05/1979 Wichita, Kansas, United States Win 0-5 Larry Puchta PTS 5 04/05/1979 Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Win 7-6-2 Clyde Spencer TKO 5 28/04/1979 Omaha, Nebraska, United States Win 2-3 Ossie Quast UD 6 20/04/1979 Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada 29-27, 30-26, 29-26. Loss 2-0 Steve Kruger PTS 5 16/03/1979 Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Win -- Nick Miller TKO 4 14/03/1979 Marshalltown, Iowa, United States Win 1-3 Roy Taylor PTS 4 08/03/1979 Wichita, Kansas, United States Win -- Dave Grant KO 5 28/02/1979 Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Win 2-2 Ossie Quast PTS 6 14/02/1979 Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States Loss 16-5 Ivy Brown KO 1 19/01/1979 Overland Park, Kansas, United States Loss 2-2 Mauricio Aldana TKO 1 10/01/1979 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win 0-1 Bill Thompson TKO 3 29/11/1978 Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States Win 0-17 Nino Cosmo PTS 6 21/09/1978 Jersey City, New Jersey, United States Win 5-2-1 Clyde Spencer KO 3 15/11/1977 Oklahoma City, United States Loss 5-5 Hank Gregory PTS 6 26/08/1976 Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win 1-0 Tony McMinn KO 3 02/06/1976 Topeka, Kansas, United States Win 0-2 Gary Maiza ('Gary Maize') PTS 4 01/06/1976 Oklahoma City, United States

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Bruce Strauss". BoxRec. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d Holden, Stephen (November 14, 1997). "FILM REVIEW; With Lead in His Pockets And Heart on His Sleeve". The New York Times. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Hudson Jr., David L. (Jun 21, 2012). Boxing in America: An Autopsy. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 9780313379734.

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