Bruce Seldon

Last updated
Bruce Seldon
Bruce Seldon.jpg
Seldon (left) and son Isiah (right), 2010
Born
Bruce Samuel Seldon

(1967-01-30) January 30, 1967 (age 57)
Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Other namesThe Atlantic City Express
Statistics
Weight(s) Heavyweight
Height6 ft 1+1⁄2 in (187 cm)
Reach78 in (198 cm)
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights48
Wins40
Wins by KO36
Losses8

Bruce Samuel Seldon (born January 30, 1967) is an American former professional boxer and current boxing trainer, 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.

Contents

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.[ citation needed ]

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 Seldon 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. Rapper Tupac Shakur attended the fight and was shot on the journey home, leading to his death six days later.

Legal problems after first retirement The Independent reported on the 23rd May 1998 "Seldon is currently on $50,000 bail in Camden, New Jersey, awaiting sentence after pleading guilty to supplying a 15-year-old girl with marijuana and having unspecified sexual activity with her at his house. He faces a maximum of 10 years in jail, the sentence to be delivered on 26 June".[4] According to the New York Times/Associated Press dated 27th June 1998 "The former World Boxing Association heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon was sentenced to five years' probation and 364 days in jail by a Camden, N.J., judge yesterday for smoking marijuana with a 15-year-old girl and taking part in sexual activity with her last year. I'm terribly sorry for everything that happened, Seldon said. I'm not a criminal. I'm not a bad person. I didn't mean for any of this to happen. Seldon pleaded guilty last month to two counts of endangering the welfare of a child. In exchange, prosecutors dismissed a more serious charge of sexual assault as well as drug and weapons offenses.[5]

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.[ citation needed ]

Professional boxing record

48 fights40 wins8 losses
By knockout367
By decision41
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
48Loss40–8 Fres Oquendo KO9 (10), 2:35Jul 24, 2009 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.For vacant WBA–NABA interim heavyweight title
47Win40–7Gabe BrownTKO5 (8)May 15, 2009Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
46Win39–7Brad GregoryTKO2 (8), 2:01Nov 7, 2008Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
45Loss38–7 Kevin Johnson TKO5 (10), 0:28Sep 5, 2008 Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
44Win38–6Livin CastilloTKO5 (8), 0:57May 31, 2008Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
43Win37–6Jay SweetmanKO2 (8), 1:56Mar 10, 2007Best Western Banquet Hall, Winchester, Virginia, U.S.
42Win36–6Marcus RhodeTKO1 (6), 1:05Feb 10, 2007Klein Jewish Community Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41Loss35–6 Tye Fields KO2 (10), 1:14Oct 28, 2005 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40Loss35–5 Gerald Nobles TKO9 (10), 0:41 May 15, 2004 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
39Win35–4Lenzie MorganTKO2 (6)Apr 9, 2004Drexel Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
38Win34–4Otis TisdaleKO3 (6), 3:00Mar 6, 2004 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37Loss33–4 Mike Tyson TKO1 (12), 1:49 Sep 7, 1996 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Lost WBA heavyweight title
36Win33–3 Joe Hipp TKO10 (12), 1:47 Aug 19, 1995 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Retained WBA heavyweight title
35Win32–3 Tony Tucker RTD7 (12), 3:00 Apr 8, 1995 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBA heavyweight title
34Win31–3Bill CorriganKO1Dec 17, 1994 Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador
33Win30–3Tui ToiaTKO3 (10)Jul 2, 1994 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
32Win29–3 Nathaniel Fitch TKO4 (12)Feb 19, 1994 Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S.Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
31Win28–3 Greg Page TKO9 (12), 0:49Aug 6, 1993 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto RicoRetained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
30Win27–3Mike RobinsonKO2Apr 17, 1993Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
29Win26–3Al ShoffnerTKO7Feb 15, 1993 McGonigle Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28Win25–3Alexander PopovTKO2 (12), 3:00Jan 24, 1993Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
27Loss24–3 Tony Tubbs UD10Oct 14, 1992Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26Win24–2Percell DavisTKO3, 2:38Sep 18, 1992Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25Win23–2Mike DixonUD10Jul 9, 1992Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24Win22–2Larry GivensTKO2Jun 22, 1992 Greensburg, Indiana, U.S.
23Win21–2Jimmy TaylorTKO1Apr 16, 1992Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
22Win20–2Dion BurgessTKO1Feb 9, 1992 Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21Win19–2 Jesse Ferguson RTD5 (15), 3:00Jan 19, 1992Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
20Loss18–2 Riddick Bowe KO1 (10), 1:48Aug 9, 1991Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19Loss18–1 Oliver McCall TKO9 (10), 2:37Apr 18, 1991Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18Win18–0Percell DavisTKO1 (10), 1:07Mar 22, 1991Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17Win17–0 Jose Ribalta RTD3 (10), 3:00Jan 11, 1991Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16Win16–0 David Bey TKO10 (10), 0:38Nov 1, 1990 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15Win15–0John MortonTKO7, 1:44Aug 16, 1990 Sheraton Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
14Win14–0Tom SandnerRTD2 (8), 3:00Jun 24, 1990Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13Win13–0 Ossie Ocasio UD8May 18, 1990 San Jose, California, U.S.
12Win12–0Danny WoffordUD6Apr 7, 1990Flea Market, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
11Win11–0Jerry JonesTKO8 (8), 0:42Mar 23, 1990Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10Win10–0Amos Lisboa-CasillasKO1 (4), 0:45Feb 18, 1990 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9Win9–0Lorenzo CanadyRTD2, 3:00 Jan 15, 1990 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8Win8–0Hassan ShabazzTKO5 (6), 0:08Nov 28, 1989 Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
7Win7–0Isaac PooleKO1 (4)Sep 15, 1989 Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
6Win6–0 Ezra Sellers TKO2 (4)Aug 22, 1989 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5Win5–0Warren ThompsonTKO3 (4)Jun 25, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4Win4–0Jesse McGheeUD4May 30, 1989Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3Win3–0Mike RobinsonTKO3 (4)Mar 21, 1989 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2Win2–0Tyrone BarwellKO1 (4), 1:34Nov 23, 1988 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1Win1–0Joel McGrawTKO1 (4)Oct 4, 1988 Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.Professional debut

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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.

4. https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/boxing-express-ride-to-oblivion-1157792.html 5. https://www.nytimes.com/1998/06/27/sports/plus-in-the-news-seldon-sentenced-to-a-year-in-jail.html

Sporting positions
Regional boxing 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 boxing titles
Vacant
Title last held by
George Foreman 		WBA heavyweight champion
April 8, 1995 – September 7, 1996 		Succeeded by
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