Mike Nixon vs. Mike Avans (1st meeting)

Mike Nixon 157 lbs beat Mike Avans 153 lbs by UD in round 10 of 10

• Date: 1976-03-10
• Location: Silver Slipper, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
• Judge: Hal Miller 49-42
• Judge: Bill Kipp 50-40
• Judge: Johnny Mangiaracina 50-40

"Mike Nixon, fighting for the first time in seven months, kept his left jab in Mike Avans' face all night and won convincingly. Nixon fought a smart fight. He was on his toes and moved well all 10 rounds, and had no hesitation about following the left jab with the combination. When the head wasn't available, he went to the body. Nixon did get cut, however. He had a small nick under his left eye in the 3rd round, a cut on his left eyelid in the 6th and another small cut by his right eye later in the fight. they never caused any problems." -Las Vegas SUN

Post fight comments

• "It went 10 rounds. I needed that. I'll be fighting regular now." -Mike Nixon

• "He hurt me in the first round with an overhand right. I could have done a lot better if I hadn't got stoned with that right hand early." -Mike Avans

• "He fought a smart fight. Before, he always wanted to kill you. He never jabbed like that before. With the layoff, it's like starting all over. But he looked good." -Ralph Gambina, Nixon's manager