By MATT OVERS
Boxing Insider Promotions is back for round two at the Tropicana in Atlantic City on Friday.
After a successful inaugural show in May, Larry Goldberg brings his group back with Swedish heavyweight Otto Wallin headlining the card.
Wallin, who is ranked No. 11 by the International Boxing Federation and No. 16 by the World Boxing Council, brings a record of 26-2 into the fight.
His opponent, Onoriode Ehwarieme, is 20-4, with 19 knockouts. That equates to a 95 percent knockout rate.
Ehwarieme stands 6-foot-7, hence the nickname Godzilla.
He competed in the 2008 Olympics, representing Nigeria as a super heavyweight. Expect to see fireworks.
Wallin has been to the top of the heavyweight division.
He has only tasted defeat twice, losing to Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua. He is looking to notch a win and get back into title contention.
Wallin is trained by the steady hand of former three division world champion Joey Gamache. With a win, Wallin could find himself only one or two victories away from a big money fight.
Goldberg has known Wallin for years.
“I’ve seen what he can do up close and I’m excited to have him on this card,” Goldberg said. “I got to know Otto when I was training at Mendez Boxing Gym in New York. We used to watch fights together.
“It’s the first place I was able to connect with people and make friends in New York. I didn’t know anyone when I moved there, and that gym holds a special place in my heart,” he added. “For such a tough sport, it has a unique way of connecting people.”
Return to old A.C.
Goldberg, Boxing Insider’s chief executive officer, said it was “the thrill of a lifetime working with Larry Hazzard” on the first show May 11.
“Growing up when Atlantic City was at its peak, with fights every week, major fights, Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis, you name it they fought in A.C.,” he recalled. “New Jersey and New York have the best boxing commissions in the world. With their pre-fight medicals, including MRIs and CAT scans, they are literally saving lives and making the sport of boxing as safe as humanly possible. As a promoter, you couldn’t ask for a more professional commission.”
“I love A.C.,” he continued. “I wasn’t sure what to expect when we opened the doors for the first show. We invited the AC PAL, friends and family, some people I haven’t seen in years.
“The fights were exciting. It was a success all the way around. The people from the Trop were great to work with, the crowd was electric. We aim to put on competitive fights and be a place where up-and-coming fighters can build their careers and established veterans can showcase their skills at the top of the card,” he said.
Since the first show, Goldberg said he has learned he will be named promoter of the year by the New York State Boxing Hall of Fame at their upcoming awards dinner.
“It’s such an honor,” he said. “I’m looking forward to establishing the same kind of record here in Atlantic City. We were one of a small group who helped bring boxing back to New York after the pandemic.”
‘The Fighter’ comes to Atlantic City
They have added a real treat for the fans this time around.
Irish Micky Ward will make a special guest appearance. The brawler from Lowell, Mass., had an illustrious career that spanned two decades and culminated with his mythical trilogy with the late Arturo Gatti.
Two of those fights were named fight of the year by The Ring magazine. The second and third installments were held in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall.
The fights were so great, HBO made a documentary, “Legendary Nights: The Tale of Gatti-Ward.”
It didn’t stop there. Ward’s life was made into a major motion picture called, “The Fighter,” starring Mark Wahlberg as Ward. It went on to gross more than $100 million at the box office.
The lineup inside the ring is just as exciting.
Hometown fight
Two Atlantic City natives will be competing on the card.
Returning for his second fight with Boxing Insider is Mr. Atlantic City, Justin Figueroa, a junior middleweight who brings a 9-0 record. He’s coming off a win over Antoni Armas.
Heavyweight prospect Bruce Seldon Jr., 1-0, is coming off a spectacular debut a little more than a month a ago, when he knocked out Terrick Maven in the first round.
All action Jacob Solis, 4-0, 4KO’s, is back and national Golden Gloves Champion Marco Romero will be competing.
The 19-year-old won the most renowned amateur championship back in May and decided to turn professional. He won his debut by TKO in June. He had an outstanding amateur career, holding a record of 136-5.
