Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, April 16, 1991                   TAG: 9104160064
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: JACK BOGACZYK SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

GASTINEAU LAUNCHING NEW CAREER IN SALEM

Mark Gastineau, the former New York Jets' All-Pro defensive end, is scheduled to make his pro boxing debut June 8 on a card at the Salem Civic Center.

Civic center manager Carey Harveycutter said Jim Westmoreland, manager and co-owner of the new Four-Star Boxing Gym in Martinsville, has asked to have that date held for a boxing show.

Westmoreland said Monday that the promoter of the card is Rick Parker of Daytona Beach, Fla., who is Gastineau's manager. Westmoreland said Gastineau would likely fight a scheduled heavyweight six-rounder against an opponent to be determined on the undercard.

Westmoreland said he expects Gastineau, now living in Texas, to arrive in Martinsville soon to begin training for the Salem bout.

Gastineau, 34, spent 10 seasons with the New York Jets and still owns the NFL's single-season sacks record of 22, set in 1984. Gastineau ranks second all-time in NFL sacks, behind Lawrence Taylor of the New York Giants.

Gastineau's football career ended last season when he was cut by the British Columbia Lions of the Canadian Football League.

Gastineau also has made headlines off the field for his relationship with - including matching tattoos - and marriage to actress Brigitte Nielsen.

Westmoreland and his Martinsville partner, Jimmy Adams, are headed to Atlantic city, N.J., this week for Thursday's ESPN heavyweight telecast bout between unbeaten Bruce Seldon and Oliver McCall (17-4).

McCall, managed by Adams and Westmoreland, could fight on the Salem card.

Westmoreland said another potential June 8 participant is heavyweight Buster Drayton.