Boxing Insider Promotions is bringing old-school club boxing back to Atlantic City on Saturday, May 11th at the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom.
There was a time when Atlantic City was the center of the boxing world and the Tropicana was one of the really popular spots along the Boardwalk.
Boxing returns to the Tropicana Showroom for the first time in seven years, and we hope those days return.
Boxing Insider CEO Larry Goldberg is from Atlantic City, so he's no stranger to the city's boxing mecca. He has honed his promotional skills, playing regular shows at his legendary Sony Hall in Manhattan's Times Square area. These cards attracted some of the best young talent in the New York City area.
“For our first show in Atlantic City, it was important to us to keep ticket prices affordable, starting at $60,” Goldberg said. Going back to previous generations of club matchups, this lineup features top prospects from New Jersey and New York. We hope everyone in the area who enjoys watching live shows will come to the Tropicana on May 11th to support the next generation of fighters. ”
Atlantic City junior middleweight Justin Figueroa (8-0, 6 KOs) is in one of the hottest fights. Local fans may remember Figueroa from his days as a star football player at Holy Spirit High School. He also proved to be the best player in his state of South Jersey during his amateur days. Bursting with confidence, he recently returned from San Antonio, where he snapped an eight-fight pro win with a decision over Christian Aguirre, and celebrated with his customary in-ring rendition of “The Worm.”
The charismatic Figueroa has been a lifeguard for several years, but is a local boy through and through. He said his mission is to “stand with Atlantic City on his back,” and May 11 will allow him to take another step toward that goal.
Junior featherweight John Leonard (10-1-1, 4 KOs) is going into an eight-round bout, and he's bringing a healthy following of fans with him. A native of nearby Manalapan Township in the Garden State, he is a former New Jersey Golden Gloves champion known by his nickname “Bodyshot.”
Leonardo won a decision over Dominic Griffin in his last fight, going eight rounds. But that was in August, and he was hungry to get back in the ring. He will face Tampa's Frank Gonzalez (12-5, 6 KOs), who has won his past two fights by eight rounds.
Brooklyn native Price Taylor (3-0, 2 KOs) is also a hot heavyweight contender and will fight in four rounds on the show. Taylor was one of the participants on the card and also competed on the Boxing Insider Show at Sonny Hall, where he won a decision over Antonio Torres on March 7th.
Another contestant competing at Sonny Hall on May 18th was middleweight Jacob Solis. He made his debut in December and is currently 3-0 with all of his wins coming by knockout.
There are other wonderful prospects as well. Junior welterweight Dweke Flemings (6-0, 6 KOs) is a powder keg from Paterson, New Jersey with four first-round knockouts and will compete in a scheduled six-round bout. . Middleweight Famous Wilson (4-0, 2 KOs) is a former New York Golden Gloves champion and is in the fourth round. Other four-rounders include super middleweight Joel Telles (2-0, 2 KOs) from Brooklyn and lightweight Coby, a New York Golden Gloves and Metro champion who is also from Brooklyn and is making his pro debut. -Includes Williams.
Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and at the Tropicana Box Office.
The game begins at 7:30 PM ET and doors open at 6:30 PM ET. This exciting event will be streamed live for free on BoxingInsider.com.
Boxing Insider Promotions to showcase local favorites and prospects on May 11 card at Atlantic City's Boardwalk