Bruce Seldon

Bruce Seldon

Seldon (left) and son Isiah (right), 2010
Statistics
Real name Bruce Samuel Seldon
Nickname(s) The Atlantic City Express
Rated at Heavyweight
Height 6 ft 1 12 in (187 cm)
Reach 78 in (198 cm)
Nationality American
Born (1967-01-30) January 30, 1967
Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 48
Wins 40
Wins by KO 36
Losses 8

Bruce Samuel Seldon (born January 30, 1967) is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1988 to 1996, and 2004 to 2009. He held the WBA heavyweight title from 1995 to 1996, most notably losing to Mike Tyson via knockout in his second defense.

Amateur career

Seldon compiled an amateur record of 20 wins and 4 losses, and won the New Jersey Golden Gloves in the super heavyweight division.

Professional career

Known as "The Atlantic City Express", Seldon began his career on October 4, 1988 with a first-round knockout of Joel McGraw and won his first 18 fights without a blemish. During his winning streak he defeated some notable boxers: Ezra Sellers (future world cruiserweight title challenger), Ossie Ocasio (former cruiserweight champion and heavyweight title challenger), David Bey (former world rated contender), and Jose Ribalta (former world title contender).

On April 18, 1991 future WBC heavyweight champion Oliver McCall handed Bruce his first defeat. Seldon was ahead on the scorecards but tired and was knocked down by McCall three times in the ninth. In his next fight Seldon was matched with future undisputed world heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe who defeated him.

Seldon returned in 1992 with a victory over Jesse Ferguson whom he stopped on an eye injury, but was knocked down and outpointed the same year by ex-champion Tony Tubbs. Seldon signed with promoter Don King in 1993 and boxed on a series of his undercards, most notably in August 1993 when he stopped ex-champion Greg Page in nine rounds.

WBA heavyweight champion

In 1995, world heavyweight champion George Foreman was stripped of the WBA title for declining to defend it against Tony Tucker. As Seldon was the second-ranked contender, a fight between him and Tucker was arranged for the vacant belt on April 8, 1995 in Las Vegas. Seldon, the underdog, used his jab to great effect and swelled Tucker's eye shut, to the point where the fight was stopped by the ringside doctor after seven rounds.[1]

On August 18, 1995, Seldon fought on the undercard of the Mike Tyson-Peter McNeeley fight that marked Tyson's return to boxing. In the first defense of his title, Seldon again used his jab to control Joe Hipp and stop him in the tenth round.[2]

Seldon vs Tyson

Seldon's next defense was scheduled against Tyson, who in early 1996 won the WBC title for a second time by knocking out Frank Bruno. The bout was originally to be a title unification fight, with both Seldon's WBA belt and Tyson's WBC belt at stake. However, the WBC mandated that Tyson defend his belt against former champion Lennox Lewis first. Since the fight with Seldon was already signed, Tyson vacated his belt and only Seldon's was on the line when the two fought on September 7, 1996.

The fight was marred by controversy as Seldon lost by knockout in the first round. His performance in the fight was vastly criticized, as he was knocked down twice on what appeared to be light or "phantom" punches from Tyson. Rumors started that Seldon had been paid to take a dive against Tyson, with the fans chanting "fix" following the decision. Although Seldon claimed in a post fight interview with Jim Gray that he did not take a dive, the criticism of his performance (including accusations that he took a dive) did not stop and Seldon elected to retire following the fight. The late rapper Tupac Shakur attended the fight on that night, and was shot on the journey home, leading to his death 5 days later

Comeback

Seldon attempted a comeback at age 37 in 2004.[3] He defeated two journeymen before gaining a high-profile fight on HBO with Gerald Nobles. Abandoning his jab and boxing style for a punch out, Seldon decked Nobles in the second and was ahead on points but ended up throwing in the towel due to an eye injury in the ninth. In his next bout, an overweight Seldon was stopped in two rounds by Tye Fields.

Seldon launched a second comeback in 2007, now into his 40s, and knocked out a series of journeymen before being knocked out himself by ranked contenders Kevin Johnson and Fres Oquendo. He was also KO'd in four during an exhibition with Alexander Povetkin.

Seldon is currently training his super middleweight son Isiah Seldon. While not officially 'retired', Seldon is more involved with his son's career at this time. Bruce Seldon's career record stands at 40 Wins and 8 losses, with 36 knockouts.

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
48 fights 40 wins 8 losses
By knockout 36 7
By decision 4 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
48 Loss 40–8 United States Fres Oquendo KO 9 (10), 2:35 Jul 24, 2009 United States UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. For vacant WBA–NABA interim heavyweight title
47 Win 40–7 United States Gabe Brown TKO 5 (8) May 15, 2009 United States Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
46 Win 39–7 United States Brad Gregory TKO 2 (8), 2:01 Nov 7, 2008 United States Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
45 Loss 38–7 United States Kevin Johnson TKO 5 (10), 0:28 Sep 5, 2008 United States Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
44 Win 38–6 Ecuador Livin Castillo TKO 5 (8), 0:57 May 31, 2008 United States Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
43 Win 37–6 United States Jay Sweetman KO 2 (8), 1:56 Mar 10, 2007 United States Best Western Banquet Hall, Winchester, Virginia, U.S.
42 Win 36–6 United States Marcus Rhode TKO 1 (6), 1:05 Feb 10, 2007 United States Klein Jewish Community Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41 Loss 35–6 United States Tye Fields KO 2 (10), 1:14 Oct 28, 2005 United States The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40 Loss 35–5 United States Gerald Nobles TKO 9 (10), 0:41 May 15, 2004 United States Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
39 Win 35–4 United States Lenzie Morgan TKO 2 (6) Apr 9, 2004 United States Drexel Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
38 Win 34–4 United States Otis Tisdale KO 3 (6), 3:00 Mar 6, 2004 United States The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37 Loss 33–4 United States Mike Tyson TKO 1 (12), 1:49 Sep 7, 1996 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBA heavyweight title
36 Win 33–3 United States Joe Hipp TKO 10 (12), 1:47 Aug 19, 1995 United States MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA heavyweight title
35 Win 32–3 United States Tony Tucker RTD 7 (12), 3:00 Apr 8, 1995 United States Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBA heavyweight title
34 Win 31–3 United States Bill Corrigan KO 1 Dec 17, 1994 Ecuador Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador
33 Win 30–3 Samoa Tui Toia TKO 3 (10) Jul 2, 1994 United States The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
32 Win 29–3 United States Nathaniel Fitch TKO 4 (12) Feb 19, 1994 United States Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
31 Win 28–3 United States Greg Page TKO 9 (12), 0:49 Aug 6, 1993 Puerto Rico Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
30 Win 27–3 United States Mike Robinson KO 2 Apr 17, 1993 United States Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
29 Win 26–3 United States Al Shoffner TKO 7 Feb 15, 1993 United States McGonigle Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28 Win 25–3 Russia Alexander Popov TKO 2 (12), 3:00 Jan 24, 1993 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
27 Loss 24–3 United States Tony Tubbs UD 10 Oct 14, 1992 United States Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26 Win 24–2 United States Percell Davis TKO 3, 2:38 Sep 18, 1992 United States Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25 Win 23–2 United States Mike Dixon UD 10 Jul 9, 1992 United States Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 22–2 United States Larry Givens TKO 2 Jun 22, 1992 United States Greensburg, Indiana, U.S.
23 Win 21–2 United States Jimmy Taylor TKO 1 Apr 16, 1992 United States Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
22 Win 20–2 United States Dion Burgess TKO 1 Feb 9, 1992 United States Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Win 19–2 United States Jesse Ferguson RTD 5 (15), 3:00 Jan 19, 1992 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
20 Loss 18–2 United States Riddick Bowe KO 1 (10), 1:48 Aug 9, 1991 United States Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Loss 18–1 United States Oliver McCall TKO 9 (10), 2:37 Apr 18, 1991 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 United States Percell Davis TKO 1 (10), 1:07 Mar 22, 1991 United States Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Cuba Jose Ribalta RTD 3 (10), 3:00 Jan 11, 1991 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 United States David Bey TKO 10 (10), 0:38 Nov 1, 1990 United States Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 United States John Morton TKO 7, 1:44 Aug 16, 1990 United States Sheraton Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 United States Tom Sandner RTD 2 (8), 3:00 Jun 24, 1990 United States Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Puerto Rico Ossie Ocasio UD 8 May 18, 1990 United States San Jose, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 United States Danny Wofford UD 6 Apr 7, 1990 United States Flea Market, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 United States Jerry Jones TKO 8 (8), 0:42 Mar 23, 1990 United States Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Puerto Rico Amos Lisboa-Casillas KO 1 (4), 0:45 Feb 18, 1990 United States Resorts International, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 United States Lorenzo Canady RTD 2, 3:00 Jan 15, 1990 United States Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 United States Hassan Shabazz TKO 5 (6), 0:08 Nov 28, 1989 United States Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 United States Isaac Poole KO 1 (4) Sep 15, 1989 United States Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 United States Ezra Sellers TKO 2 (4) Aug 22, 1989 United States Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 United States Warren Thompson TKO 3 (4) Jun 25, 1989 United States Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 United States Jesse McGhee UD 4 May 30, 1989 United States Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 United States Mike Robinson TKO 3 (4) Mar 21, 1989 United States Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 United States Tyrone Barwell KO 1 (4), 1:34 Nov 23, 1988 United States Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 United States Joel McGraw TKO 1 (4) Oct 4, 1988 United States Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Professional debut

Titles in boxing

Regional titles
Vacant
Title last held by
Mike Ronay Evans
IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight champion
January 19, 1992 – April 1995
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Obed Sullivan
World titles
Vacant
Title last held by
George Foreman
WBA heavyweight champion
April 8, 1995 – September 7, 1996
Succeeded by
Mike Tyson

References

  1. Beaver County Times. "Seldon wins heavyweight crown". April 9, 1995, p. B2. Retrieved on May 26, 2013.
  2. Dahlberg, Tim. "Seldon bloodies Hipp to retain title". Eugene Register-Guard, August 20, 1995, p. 1F. Retrieved on May 26, 2013.
  3. Lawrence Journal-World. "Seldon wants Tyson next". March 9, 2004, p. 2C. Retrieved on May 26, 2013.
This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the 11/4/2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.