For 30 years, Atlantic City was the center of the East Coast battle. From child prodigies to champions, everyone took the time to show off their skills as prize fighters at the grounds along the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
The list of great boxers who fought in Atlantic City is extensive, but to name just a few:
-Mike Tyson
-Roberto Duran
– Evander Holyfield
-Floyd Mayweather Jr.
-Arturo Gatti
-Bernard Hopkins
-Roy Jones Jr.
But it's been almost a decade since the sport of boxing hosted an event at Atlantic City's Tropicana. After a seven-year hiatus, his Tropicana showroom once again welcomes his boxing events from one of South Jersey's top up-and-coming fighters.
On Saturday, May 11, Boxing Insider Promotions will host a professional boxing event showcasing the future of the sport. Promoter Larry Goldberg, from Margate, had six boxing events in New York state in 2023 and was looking to return to his roots for his next fight card.
“I've always said Atlantic City is known for a few things, and one of them is boxing. Atlantic City has a history of boxing, with two boxing matches on Saturday night. There was a time when there was one (fight card) in the afternoon, and there might be another card the next day. Goldberg told Josh Hennig on 973 ESPN.
“Atlantic City doesn't have consistent boxing, and we aim to change that…We're bringing what's called 'club boxing' (to Atlantic City). They're on the rise. These are some kids, some young fighters, and it would be a good move.”
One of the young fighters who will be showing off his skills May 11 at Tropicana Atlantic City is junior middleweight Justin Figueroa. The undefeated fighter from Atlantic City has six of his eight wins as a professional fighter, all by knockout.
Justin “Just in Time” Figueroa joins Game Night with Josh Henning 973 ESPN South Jersey talked about what boxing fans can expect from him in the ring when they visit the Tropicana Showroom on May 11th.
“When I go into a fight, I want to win with a great performance and get a knockout. – I want to get a knockout win in front of the people (in Atlantic City). … You are “I would like to see a lot of skill and a lot of calmness, but having fought eight fights as a professional (boxer), I have developed a lot of calmness and learned to take my time and choose my shots.” It has expanded. ”
“So you're going to see some really sharp skills, great footwork, great hand speed, power shots, great defense, great punch placement. (The audience) is coming for a great show, great entertainment. I know the audience.'' It's very lively. ”
Figueroa will face Venezuelan boxer Antoni Armas in a six-round bout. This will be a unique test for Figueroa as Armas has a 13-7 record as a professional boxer, but eight of his 13 wins have come by knockout. It should be an action-packed battle on Saturday night.
Another New Jersey fighter competing in the boxing event on Saturday, May 11th inside the Tropicana Atlantic City is John Leonard. As an amateur boxer, Leonardo won the New Jersey Golden Gloves title and has a 10-1 record as a professional fighter. Leonardo, who came to Atlantic City from Manalapan Township, will face Frank Gonzalez from Tampa Bay, Florida.
Boxing legend and former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes will also be a special guest as part of the Boxing Insider Promotions Show inside the Tropicana Showroom. From 1978 until his 1985, Holmes dominated boxing's heavyweight division, and the title of World Heavyweight Champion he held for over seven years.
Holmes fought three times in Atlantic City during his professional boxing career and had a record of two wins and one loss. The Easton, Pennsylvania, native defended his title with a TKO over Scott Frank in 1983, but lost his WBA, WBC and IBF heavyweight belts to Mike Tyson in 1988. His last fight in Atlantic City was a unanimous decision victory over Ray Mercer. In 1992.
Tickets are still available for Boxing's return to the Tropicana Atlantic City on Saturday, May 11th. Tickets can be purchased at his Ticketmaster.com. For more information on Saturday's boxing card, visit the Boxing Insider Promotions website here.
For decades, one of Atlantic City's sports centers was Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Here are some of the biggest sporting events that have been held inside historic arenas over the years.