David Weinberg
His son's athletic build, agility, strength and even his voice evoke memories of his father.
And as he steps through the ropes at the Pleasantville Recreation Center, throws a devastatingly quick jab and a powerful hook, the crowd is transported back to nearly 30 years ago, to April 8, 1995, the day Bruce Seldon became the WBA heavyweight champion.
His glory didn't last long. A year later, a loss to Mike Tyson ended his reign. He made an unsuccessful comeback after an eight-year hiatus, and retired in 2009 with a record of 40-8 with 36 knockouts. He now works for the North Jersey Department of Public Works.
Now Bruce Seldon Jr. is looking to launch his boxing career. The 29-year-old Smithville resident is scheduled to make his pro debut Saturday night in the Adrian Phillips Ballroom at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall in a four-round heavyweight bout against Vineland's Terrick Maven.
“I do feel that presence and that expectation, and it's something I've had to deal with my whole life,” said Seldon Jr. “I definitely feel the pressure to be successful, but I don't think it's because of my father. I'm doing this for myself.”
The desire to find his place in the world kept him away from boxing for a long time, and away from Atlantic City. Bruce Jr. was a standout football player at Absegami High School.
He graduated from college in 2012 and played running back and defensive end for the Braves under then-coach Dennis Scuderi.
Bruce Seldon Jr.
“I tried other sports,” he says, “I played lacrosse, I tried rowing, but it wasn't very successful. I wanted to do my own thing, so I stayed away from boxing for a while.”
He too left the area for a few years and moved to Las Vegas in 2017 to work as a security guard. He soon joined a boxing gym and realized that this might be his destiny.
“Growing up in this area, after a while it gets boring,” he says. “So when the opportunity came up to go to Las Vegas, I jumped at it. It was a great experience. Not only did I have fun, but I also grew into a man.”
He returned home a year ago and sought out Jim Kurtz, a Holy Spirit High School graduate who serves as an executive at Harrah's Atlantic City and also manages a group of fighters with partner David Dubinsky through DKO Boxing.
When Bruce Jr. contacted him, he didn't hesitate. Kurtz had previously served as the manager and advisor to Bruce Seldon Sr. and several years ago guided Bruce Jr.'s younger brother, Isaiah Seldon, to a record of 14 wins, 6 losses, and 1 draw, with five knockouts, at middleweight.
“We started talking about six months ago,” Kurtz said. “He got off to a slow start, but it's not like 20 years ago. Most of the top heavyweights now are in their mid-to-late 30s, but I wanted to make sure he was in this for the right reasons. I told him he should give it his all, and he has. I've been very impressed with his dedication and work ethic.”
His trainer, Julio Sanchez, agrees. Sanchez, a former Pleasantville firefighter, rekindled a struggling boxing program at the Pleasantville Recreation Center, once a hotbed of boxing in the area like Atlantic City PAL, led by trainers including the late Mike Hall.
Sanchez is well known in local boxing circles for his ability to get the best out of his fighters with his patient yet determined approach.
“Jim showed me some tape and I was intrigued,” Sanchez said. “He's still raw and has some areas to improve on, but he's got the talent to be great.”
“Obviously, you never really know until a fighter faces adversity, but he works hard, he listens and he's very teachable. He's 29 years old but the potential is endless.”
Like any fighter, he dreams of greatness. He wants to reach the same heights as his father, hold his arms high and wear a championship belt around his waist.
But for now, he's content to forge his own path and make a name for himself.
Even if it's the same name as his father.
