2 South Jersey HS Grads Part of Atlantic City Summer Boxing Event

After a seven-year absence, Boxing returned to the Tropicana Showroom in Atlantic City on Saturday, May 11th. Boxing Insider Promotions' first event in Atlantic City was a such a success that a bigger event was lined up for the Summer of 2024.

Now the biggest boxing show of the Summer is just days away. On Friday, July 26th, the Tropicana Atlantic City showroom will see two of the biggest rising stars in South Jersey Boxing event in the ring along with one of the top Heavyweight Contenders in professional boxing.

What South Jersey Fighters Are Competing On Friday, July 26th?

Returning to the ring inside the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom is Undefeated Junior Middleweight from Atlantic City, Justin Figueroa. The man called by some "Mr. Atlantic City" is 9-0 in his professional boxing career with Seven Knockout victories.

Boxing Insider Promotions' Larry Goldberg spoke to 973 ESPN South Jersey about what makes Justin Figeroa a special fighter for everyone in the Atlantic City area to come out and support:

"Justin is the superstar that Atlantic City needs at this time. With all the negativity (in the world), Justin is a positive force both in Atlantic City and in boxing. (Justin Figueroa) is a good (guy), he is somebody that kids can look up to. - He's on the trajectory where he is going to get that phone call from one of those big promoters...and he's going to have a title opportunity on National Television.

(Justin Figueroa) potential is more than just a Boxer, this is somebody who...can do anything he wants in life. So he's not just a boxer, but he is a very good boxer. He is a local boxer who is a product of the Atlantic City Police Athletic League, a product of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, he is a product of Holy Spirit High School. When you think about (the local community), Justin is the poster boy of everything that is good that can come out of South Jersey"

While "Just In Time" Figueroa continues to rise up the ranks of the unbeaten in his weight class, another Boxer who graduated from a South Jersey High School is at the beginning of his professional journey.

Absegami High School Graduate Bruce Seldon Jr. made his professional boxing debut in June, scoring an early Knockout Victory inside Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall. Now several weeks later, the son of the former WBA Heavyweight Champion, will get his second professional fight inside Tropicana Atlantic City's Showroom.

Boxing Promoter Larry Goldberg spoke with 973 ESPN's Josh Hennig about what makes Seldon Jr. a must-see on Friday, July 26th:

"If you ever want to (see a boxer who looks like a) comic book hero, this is a guy who looks the part. (Seldon Jr) is jacked, he's got that knockout punch....This guy for the next couple of years is going to be a human-wrecking crew, his management team is going to build him into a force. - Bruce Seldon (Jr) is someone to look (forward to seeing) and you have another local (fighter) story to watch because of who his father was and who he is."

But Bruce Seldon Jr. is actually not the biggest name on this fight card. Former Lineal World Heavyweight Title Challenger Otto Wallin from Sweden will put his 26-2 record on the line in the Main Event of the evening.

A Heavyweight whose only losses in his professional boxing career are to Heavyweight Champions Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua, Wallin is looking to reascend back up the rankings for another Linear Title Fight.

"Otto (Wallen) fought Tyson Fury back in 2019, (Fury) was cut and (Wallen) was so close, they would have stopped that fight in other states and Otto should have been champion," says Boxing Insider Promotions Larry Goldberg. " I know Otto Wallen from Mendez Boxing Gym in New York City and he's a great guy.
He just fought Anthony Joshua, who is regarded as one of the top Heavyweights in the world. (Wallen) lost to Anthony Joshua in Saudi Arabia and (July 26th) is his bounce-back fight.... Otto (Wallen) has fought for the Heavyweight Title before and he will fight for the title again."

The boxing event of the Summer in Atlantic City will include the following scheduled fights:

*Two New York Junior welterweights will faceoff in a battle of young fighters: Jason Castanon (1-0, 1 KO) versus Arvontae Dukes (2-0)
*19-time National Amateur champion Marco Romero will take on Undefeated Super Middleweight Victor Pradis.
*Undefeated Middleweight Jacob Solis (4-0, 4 KOs) will contend with James Abraham in a showdown of two New York City fighters.
*The former Number Two Ranked Women's Amateur Lightweight Boxer in the United States, Stacia Suttles, will make her pro debut against Kalindria Faria from Sao Paulo, Brazil

Also on Friday, July 26th, people who attend this boxing showcase will have the chance to meet Boxing Legend “Irish” Micky Ward. The former WBU Light Welterweight Champion is best known for his epic boxing trilogy with Arturo Gatti. Ward will be available to sign autographs and take pictures with fans.

Make sure you do not miss the Boxing Event of the Summer at Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom on Friday, July 26th. Purchase your tickets now at ticketmaster.com.

South Jersey has produced some great athletes who earned the opportunity to play in the NFL. Here is our list of the High School Football Players from the Atlantic City region who played in the National Football League:

Check Out Greater Atlantic City, NJ Area Athletes Who Played Games In NFL

Many people are not aware of the number of athletes from the Greater Atlantic City Region who have played in the National Football League. Football players who played at high schools in Cape May, Atlantic, Cumberland, and Ocean Counties have a strong representation in the NFL over the last few decades.

One of the most difficult accomplishments in sports is to make a Professional Sports Roster and earn the opportunity to play in a game at the highest level of the sport. Check out some of the great South Jersey Athletes who have played in games in the NFL:

Gallery Credit: Joshua Hennig/Townsquare Media