By: Jim Amato

He was from Parma, Ohio and he only had twenty one fights in a career that spanned from 1971 to 1979. Still he fought tough completion and he fought well enough to be ranked by the ” Bible Of Boxing “, Ring Magazine.

Casey Gacic started his career with a draw against rugged Gary Summerhays of Canada. He would then beat Summerhays over eight rounds in a rematch. Also in 1972 Casey won decisions over veteran light heavyweights Harold Carter and Joe Cokes. In 1973 Casey lost two key decisions to crafty Vinnie Curto and a rubber match to Summerhays. Casey would not fight again for over two years.

On returning to the ring in 1976 Casey created a stir when he drew with hot prospect and future world light heavyweight champion Mike Rossman. In his next fight Gacic went to Madison Square Garden and again held a highly regarded prospect Christy Elliot to a ten round draw. Casey had now served notice that he deserved a world ranking.

In his next bout Casey took on another touted prospect, unbeaten middleweight Mike Colbert. The speedy and flashy Colbert outboxed Casey over the ten round route. In his next fight Gacic traveled into the lion’s den of Philadelphia to take on the slick Bobby ” Boogaloo ” Watts. In a heartbreaking loss, Casey was stopped on cuts in round seven. Gacic bounced back with two decision wins and then he outfought rugged Leo Saenz as part of the controversial United States Tournament. Eight months later Casey was outscored by another undefeated prospect Edgar ” Bad News ” Wallace.

In 1978 Casey returned to Cleveland as he won a points verdict over Charles Carey. Then it was back to Madison Square Garden where Casey took on contender Mike Baker. Gacic was stopped in the sixth round in a bout that tuned out to be his final ring appearance. Although he did not have a stellar record ( 12-6-3 ), he mixed it up with an array of rough and tumble fighters and earned his place in the rankings.