Jeff Lentz’s proclivity for punching led him to a unique and fast-growing sport Saturday night.
The 36-year-old Mays Landing resident earned a first-round TKO victory as part of the Bare Knuckling Fighting Championship (BKFC)’s first-ever card in New Jersey.
Lentz, a former mixed martial arts regional champion and standout boxer, defeated New York’s Elijah Harris (2-1) at Newark’s Prudential Center before an announced crowd of 10,444.
“I’ve been wanting to try it for a while and when the opportunity came, I jumped on it,” Lentz said. “It was a great night and the atmosphere was incredible.”
Lentz has been fighting professionally since 2009. He’s one of the top local MMA fighters of the last 20 years, having won titles in two weight classes in Atlantic City-based Ring of Combat and another in Cage Fury Fighting Championships.
He’s also enjoyed some success as a boxer. He’s 5-2 in that ring, with his only losses coming to former IBF world super-welterweight champion Jarrett Hurd and current unbeaten super-welterweight Justin Figueroa (13-0, 10 KOs) of Atlantic City.
“I’m an MMA fighter at heart,” Lentz said. “But if an another opportunity comes in boxing or BKFC, I’m ready.”
About six weeks ago, he decided to try his hand(s) at bare-knuckle fighting.
Founded by Philadelphia’s David Feldman, the BKFC held its first event in 2018 and has steadily grown in popularity.
The New Jersey State Athletic Control Board, the state’s governing body for combative sports, just sanctioned it a few months ago.
“Our research indicated that it’s actually safer than boxing,” Control Board commissioner Larry Hazzard said. “People do suffer cuts, but you don’t see serious concussions and dangerous injuries like you have in boxing. I didn’t feel any of the tension at Saturday’s card like I do in boxing.
“I was very impressed with Saturday’s show.
The BKFC is a well-run organization and the crowd was outstanding.”
Lentz sought out local help for his prefight training regimen at his gym in Egg Harbor Township.
Margate trainer Rob Fishbein, a Holy Spirit High School graduate, supervised Lentz’s cardio workouts. Former Atlantic City boxer Antowyan Aikens and Figueroa served as his primary sparring partners.
The hard work paid off.
The bout was scheduled for five, two-minute rounds, but didn’t last that long. Lentz registered three knockdowns in the opening round. Referee Eric Dali then stopped the fight on the advice of ringside physicians after Harris reportedly vomited in his corner as the result of a concussion.
“It was a tough fight,” Lentz said. “I got cut a few times and I broke a knuckle on my right hand. But I was able to do what I went there to do.”
Lentz, who sold over 100 tickets for the fight, would draw an even bigger crowd in Atlantic City.
Hopefully, the next time he fights, it will be on the boardwalk.
“I’m hoping they bring an event to Atlantic City in the near future,” Hazzard said. “We’d welcome them back with open arms.”
Local boxing update
Figueroa is among five local boxers slated to fight in Atlantic City in the next six weeks.
Margate promoter Larry Goldberg will bring another card to Tropicana Atlantic City on November 7, featuring Figueroa and unbeaten Smithville heavyweight Bruce Seldon Jr. (7-0, 6 KOs).
Mays Landing heavyweight Rodney Brooks (4-0, 3 KOs), Pleasantville lightweight Francisco Rodriguez (7-0, 7 KOs), and Pleasantville super-lightweight Jamil Simmons (0-2) will be in action at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on November 22 as part of card staged by promoter Alex Barbosa.
Two other professional cards are scheduled for Atlantic City this year.
North Jersey-based promoter Eduana Edmonds will hold her first Atlantic City show at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Phillips Ballroom on October 25.
Millville-based Rising Star Promotions will close the year out on December 7 at Bally’s Atlantic City. Middlweight Thomas LaManna, who co-owns Rising Star with his mother, Debra, will fight for the final time in the show.
LaManna (39-6-1, 19 KOs) will end his career where it started. He made his pro debut 14 years ago at Bally’s during his senior year at Millville High School, earning a first-round TKO on February 11, 2011.
Local NFL update
Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (Bridgeton) made one tackle in a 37-22 victory over the New York Jets last Sunday.
Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton (Cedar Creek) missed the Cards’ 22-21 loss to the Tennessee Titans with a hamstring injury.
Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Austin Johnson (St. Augustine Prep, Galloway Township) registered two tackles in the Jaguars’ 31-28 win over the Kansas City Chiefs Monday night. Rookie running back LeQuint Allen (Millville) played special teams for the Jaguars.
Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco (Vineland) rushed for 36 yards on seven carries (5.1 yards per carry) and had three receptions for 20 yards.
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.
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