Bruce Seldon
Seldon (left) and son Isiah (right), 2010
Born
Bruce Samuel Seldon

(1967-01-30) January 30, 1967
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)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights48
Wins40
Wins by KO36
Losses8

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 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.

Professional boxing record

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 Fres Oquendo KO 9 (10), 2:35 Jul 24, 2009 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. For vacant WBA–NABA interim heavyweight title
47 Win 40–7 Gabe Brown TKO 5 (8) May 15, 2009 Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
46 Win 39–7 Brad Gregory TKO 2 (8), 2:01 Nov 7, 2008 Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
45 Loss 38–7 Kevin Johnson TKO 5 (10), 0:28 Sep 5, 2008 Bally's, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
44 Win 38–6 Livin Castillo TKO 5 (8), 0:57 May 31, 2008 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
43 Win 37–6 Jay Sweetman KO 2 (8), 1:56 Mar 10, 2007 Best Western Banquet Hall, Winchester, Virginia, U.S.
42 Win 36–6 Marcus Rhode TKO 1 (6), 1:05 Feb 10, 2007 Klein Jewish Community Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
41 Loss 35–6 Tye Fields KO 2 (10), 1:14 Oct 28, 2005 The Orleans, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
40 Loss 35–5 Gerald Nobles TKO 9 (10), 0:41 May 15, 2004 Mandalay Bay Events Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
39 Win 35–4 Lenzie Morgan TKO 2 (6) Apr 9, 2004 Drexel Armory, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
38 Win 34–4 Otis Tisdale KO 3 (6), 3:00 Mar 6, 2004 The Blue Horizon, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
37 Loss 33–4 Mike Tyson TKO 1 (12), 1:49 Sep 7, 1996 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Lost WBA heavyweight title
36 Win 33–3 Joe Hipp TKO 10 (12), 1:47 Aug 19, 1995 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Retained WBA heavyweight title
35 Win 32–3 Tony Tucker RTD 7 (12), 3:00 Apr 8, 1995 Caesars Palace, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBA heavyweight title
34 Win 31–3 Bill Corrigan KO 1 Dec 17, 1994 Coliseo General Rumiñahui, Quito, Ecuador
33 Win 30–3 Tui Toia TKO 3 (10) Jul 2, 1994 The Mirage, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
32 Win 29–3 Nathaniel Fitch TKO 4 (12) Feb 19, 1994 Coliseum, Charlotte, North Carolina, U.S. Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
31 Win 28–3 Greg Page TKO 9 (12), 0:49 Aug 6, 1993 Coliseo Rubén Rodríguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
30 Win 27–3 Mike Robinson KO 2 Apr 17, 1993 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
29 Win 26–3 Al Shoffner TKO 7 Feb 15, 1993 McGonigle Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
28 Win 25–3 Alexander Popov TKO 2 (12), 3:00 Jan 24, 1993 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Retained IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
27 Loss 24–3 Tony Tubbs UD 10 Oct 14, 1992 Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
26 Win 24–2 Percell Davis TKO 3, 2:38 Sep 18, 1992 Fernwood Resort, Bushkill, Pennsylvania, U.S.
25 Win 23–2 Mike Dixon UD 10 Jul 9, 1992 Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
24 Win 22–2 Larry Givens TKO 2 Jun 22, 1992 Greensburg, Indiana, U.S.
23 Win 21–2 Jimmy Taylor TKO 1 Apr 16, 1992 Central Plaza Hotel, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
22 Win 20–2 Dion Burgess TKO 1 Feb 9, 1992 Broadway by the Bay, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
21 Win 19–2 Jesse Ferguson RTD 5 (15), 3:00 Jan 19, 1992 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Won vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title
20 Loss 18–2 Riddick Bowe KO 1 (10), 1:48 Aug 9, 1991 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
19 Loss 18–1 Oliver McCall TKO 9 (10), 2:37 Apr 18, 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Percell Davis TKO 1 (10), 1:07 Mar 22, 1991 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
17 Win 17–0 Jose Ribalta RTD 3 (10), 3:00 Jan 11, 1991 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
16 Win 16–0 David Bey TKO 10 (10), 0:38 Nov 1, 1990 Etess Arena, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
15 Win 15–0 John Morton TKO 7, 1:44 Aug 16, 1990 Sheraton Hotel, Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
14 Win 14–0 Tom Sandner RTD 2 (8), 3:00 Jun 24, 1990 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
13 Win 13–0 Ossie Ocasio UD 8 May 18, 1990 San Jose, California, U.S.
12 Win 12–0 Danny Wofford UD 6 Apr 7, 1990 Flea Market, Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
11 Win 11–0 Jerry Jones TKO 8 (8), 0:42 Mar 23, 1990 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
10 Win 10–0 Amos Lisboa-Casillas KO 1 (4), 0:45 Feb 18, 1990 Steel Pier, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
9 Win 9–0 Lorenzo Canady RTD 2, 3:00 Jan 15, 1990 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
8 Win 8–0 Hassan Shabazz TKO 5 (6), 0:08 Nov 28, 1989 Alumni Arena, Buffalo, New York, U.S.
7 Win 7–0 Isaac Poole KO 1 (4) Sep 15, 1989 Jai-Alai Fronton, Miami, Florida, U.S.
6 Win 6–0 Ezra Sellers TKO 2 (4) Aug 22, 1989 Showboat, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
5 Win 5–0 Warren Thompson TKO 3 (4) Jun 25, 1989 Convention Hall, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
4 Win 4–0 Jesse McGhee UD 4 May 30, 1989 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
3 Win 3–0 Mike Robinson TKO 3 (4) Mar 21, 1989 Trump's Castle, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S.
2 Win 2–0 Tyrone Barwell KO 1 (4), 1:34 Nov 23, 1988 Convention Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
1 Win 1–0 Joel McGraw TKO 1 (4) Oct 4, 1988 Atlantis Hotel and Casino, Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S. Professional debut

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

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