`STUMP' GETS READY TO RUMBLE : SMALL FOR FOOTBALL, BUFFO TURNS TO RING.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal Daily News Staff Writer

College football scouts gathered in the office of former Valley College coach Chuck Ferrero and were amazed at what they saw on film.

``Who's that kid?'' they asked. ``That kid can play.''

That kid, an All-American linebacker, was summoned to the coach's office. When the scouts saw him, they looked him up and down and walked out of the room without saying a word.

The problem? That kid, Jim Buffo, was 5-foot-5, an inescapable reality that dashed his dreams of becoming a professional football player.

More than a decade later, it's that height - or lack thereof - that figures to work to Buffo's advantage, only this time as a professional boxer.

Known as ``The Stump,'' his size is now his gimmick, a gimmick he hopes will generate the kind of attention - and money - Eric ``Butterbean'' Esch has with his blubbery belly and bald head.

Yes, Buffo hopes to be the next great four-round heavyweight - and lure the current king into the ring.

``I think I've set my goals realistically,'' said Buffo, who makes his pro debut against Lyle Barron tonight at the Country Club in Reseda.

``I'm not going to get into the ring with Evander Holyfield or Mike Tyson. I'm taking baby steps. My only goal right now is to get Butterbean into the ring.''

Buffo, 34, was born into boxing when he was born into the Goossen family of North Hollywood.

The Goossens were fighters, whether in the street or the ring. Pat and Dan Goossen started Ten Goose Boxing and, along with trainer Joe Goossen, remain in the business.

Buffo, a nephew, wasn't one to buck tradition. He swears he never looked for trouble but was never adverse to it. One example: He was expelled from Notre Dame High School when he exacted violent revenge - in the classroom - on a giggling classmate who placed a tack on his chair.

Fighting was only a diversion, though. His passion was football. From the time he played Pop Warner ball to a two-year career at Cal Lutheran University, he played with overwhelming intensity and toughness that dumbfounded detractors.

Another uncle Greg Goossen, an assistant coach at Hoover High in Glendale, where Buffo had transferred, said at one postseason football banquet:

``Now I know why God made Jim Buffo 5-5. If he were 6 feet, he'd be killing people.''

Still, Buffo never won that scholarship to a major program and he would never play professional football - the biggest disappointment of his life.

``Since I was 9, I was the MVP of every team I played on, all-league, all-conference, all that stuff,'' Buffo said. ``Then, I see guys I've played with make the pros. For me, not to make it was heartbreaking.

``I worked my whole life to play pro football. It's all I ever wanted.''

After football, Buffo never strayed too far from boxing.

He spent a lot of time in the gym of uncle Joe, one of whose champions, Rafael Ruelas, now is training Buffo. Buffo helped out, often working the corners of Goossen's fighters, and kept in shape by sparring and hitting the bags.

Then, in 1993, Buffo saw a ``Toughman'' competition on television and, itching for competition and a few bucks, dived in. The next thing he knew, he was in the ring with off-the-street, barroom-brawler types and back in action.

Last year, in the second of two Toughman tournaments, Buffo advanced to the finals - 16 of 4,000 who started the competition - but lost in a second-round bout.

It was at a regional competition that year, in Phoenix, Ariz., that he realized the marketing value of his stature. As he fought, the crowd repeatedly chanted, ``Stump! Stump! Stump!'' Clearly, he had become a crowd favorite.

``Mr. T told me he'd been involved in Toughman competitions for seven, eight years and he'd never heard the crowd scream for an individual fighter like that,'' Buffo said. ``Why do they like me? 'Cause I'm a freak of nature, I guess. Look at all the giants in sports today, look at the NFL.

``I guess I add a different dimension. They might think, `If a little guy can do it, maybe I have a chance.' Maybe I'm an inspiration to some people.''

Promoter Peter Broudy agreed.

``I'm positive people will like him. People love little guys,'' he said.

Buffo toyed with the idea of becoming a professional boxer but didn't want to subject his body to standard 10-round bouts. Ultimately, inspired by Butterbean's success, he decided to give four-rounders a try.

Finally, he'll have the chance to prove he isn't too small on the professional level.

``I've had feelings (of resentment) when people say that I'd be making millions in the NFL if I were six, seven inches taller. I've pretty much got football out of my system, though.

``I've worked hard for this, it feels good. I've missed the competition.''

COUNTRY CLUB BOXING

Who: Juan Lazcano faces Danny Lujan in a 12-round lightweight bout.

When: 7:30 p.m. tonight.

Where: Country Club in Reseda, 18419 Sherman Way.

TV: Fox Sports Americas (Spanish).

Background: Lazcano (14-1) was a hot prospect when he broke his hand during a bout - his only loss - and was unable to fight for two years. He's 6-0 in his comeback. He's only 21. Lujan (11-3-1) is also a capable young boxer.

Also fighting: Jeremy Williams vs. Louis Monaco, 10 rounds, heavyweights; Lance Whitaker vs. Marco Dixon, four rounds, heavyweights; Jim Buffo vs. Lyle Barron.

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

Photo: (color) Former Hoover High and Valley College football star Jim ``The Stump'' Buffo fights tonight at the Country Club in Reseda in his professional boxing debut.

David R. Crane / Daily News

Box: COUNTRY CLUB BOXING (see text)