By David Weinberg
Back in the day, boxing promoter Don Elbaum was a major force in helping to put Atlantic City on the boxing map.
As the casino era took off on the boardwalk, virtually every property added boxing to its entertainment menu.
And it wasn’t long before it became the main course.
Fight fans could watch as many as four boxing cards in a given week during the 1980’s. Bally’s, Caesars, Playboy, Resorts, the Sands, Tropicana, Trump Plaza and others all hosted boxing in their showrooms while major bouts took place at what is now Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall.
From 1982-85, Atlantic City staged an incredible 521 boxing shows, including 139 in 1982 and 143 in 1985.
Elbaum and the late Ted Menas turned the Tropicana into a boxing hotbed, promoting near 200 shows over a five-year period through their widely popular “Tuesday Night Fights” series at the Trop’s Showroom.
“I went to Tropicana and asked them to give me the slowest night of the week and they gave me Tuesday,” Elbaum said. “I knew boxing would work there no matter what day of the week we did it.”
Now 93 years old, he was back at the scene on Saturday night.
Boxing Insider Promotions and promoter Larry Goldberg honored Elbaum during their show at the Trop by presenting him with a plaque and watch in recognition of his incredible achievement.
The brief ceremony was part of an outstanding card that served as a welcome return to legitimate boxing in the wake of the Mike Tyson-Jake Paul debacle in Dallas the night before.
A large, enthusiastic crowd filled the bleachers on the Showroom stage – the best seats in town for a boxing event – and the booths and chairs throughout the arena to see some of the region’s top fighters in action.
The biggest cheers were reserved for Atlantic City middleweight Justin Figueroa and Smithville heavyweight Bruce Seldon Jr., who both thrilled their fan bases by delivering impressive performances.
Figueroa (11-0, 9 KOs), a former football and wrestling standout at Holy Spirit High School and former member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, remained unbeaten with a fourth-round TKO over Houston’s Omar Rosales (9-5-1, 4 KOs) in a scheduled six-round middleweight bout.
Figueroa, 25, took command at the outset, punishing Rosales, 34, with combinations until referee Edgardo Claudio stopped it.
“I was so calm before this fight because I had over 100 rounds of sparring,” Figueroa said in the ring afterward. “I’ve got the talent and I’ve got the dedication. I’ve got an insane work ethic and that’s how I got here.”
Seldon (4-0, 3 KOs), the 30-year-old son of former WBA heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon, went the distance for the first time in gaining a four-round, unanimous decision over veteran Julio Mendoza (3-5, 3 KOs), of Palm Coast, Florida.
Seldon, a former football player at Absegami High School, turned pro five months ago without benefit of an amateur career, so each fight is serving as on-the-job training.
“That was a learning experience for me,” Seldon said in the dressing room afterward. “I’m just looking to grow as a fighter every time I’m in the ring.”
Notes: Saturday’s card was part of a boxing doubleheader at the Trop. It also hosted an amateur show on Sunday, with all proceeds benefitting the Atlantic City Police Athletic League’s boxing program.
Pro boxing returns to the resort on Saturday, November 30, when Danny Garcia’s Swift Promotions brings a card to ACX1 Studios at the Pier Shops at Caesars.
Pleasantville welterweight Anthony Young (23-3, 8 KOs) will be ending an 18-month layoff when he faces Windry Amadis Martinez (10-2, 5 KOs) of the Dominican Republic in a scheduled eight-rounder.
Local NFL update
Bills defensive tackle Austin Johnson (St. Augustine Prep, Galloway Township) had three tackles in Buffalo’s 30-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday.
Packers wide receiver Bo Melton (Cedar Creek High School) played special teams in Green Bay’s 20-19 win over the Chicago Bears. He has three receptions for 33 yards and two carries for 27 yards this season.
Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek), Bo’s younger brother, was on a bye this week. He has 37 tackles, three pass defenses and a forced fumble this season.
David is a nationally recognized sports columnist who has covered Philadelphia and local sports for over 40 years. After 35 years with The Press, he has served as a columnist for 973ESPN.com and created his own Facebook page, Dave Weinberg Extra Points.
Send comments to weinbergd419@comcast.net.
