Boxing Insider Promotions is bringing old school club boxing back to Atlantic City, New Jersey, at the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom on May 11.

There was a time when Atlantic City was the center of the boxing universe, and the Tropicana was one of the real hot spots along the Boardwalk. 

The hope is that those days are set to return with boxing back at the Tropicana Showroom for the first time in seven years.

Larry Goldberg, CEO of Boxing Insider, is an Atlantic City native, so he knows those glory days as a boxing mecca well. He’s been honing his promotional craft in Manhattan’s Times Square district with regular shows at the legendary Sony Hall. Those cards brought some of the best young talent in the New York City area together. 

“For our first show in Atlantic City,” Goldberg said, “it was important to keep tickets reasonably priced, starting at $60. We have a full slate of top prospects from New Jersey and New York in a throwback to club fight cards from the past generation. I hope everyone in the area who enjoys watching live fights will be at The Tropicana on May 11th to support the next generation of fighters.” 

Atlantic City junior middleweight Justin Figueroa (8-0, 6 KOs) is in one of the featured bouts. Local fans may remember Figueroa’s days as a football star at Holy Spirit High School, and he also proved himself to be the best in South Jersey as an amateur. Beaming with confidence, he recently returned from San Antonio, where he registered his eighth straight pro win, a decision over Christian Aguirre, and as usual, he celebrated by dancing “The Worm” across the ring.

The charismatic Figueroa, who’s also put in several years as a lifeguard, is a local boy through and through. He says his mission is to “put Atlantic City on my back” and he can take another step toward that objective on May 11.

Junior featherweight John Leonardo (10-1-1, 4 KOs) is in an eight-round bout and he brings a healthy contingent of fans with him. Hailing from nearby Manalapan Township in the Garden State, he’s a former New Jersey Golden Gloves champ who goes by the nickname “Bodyshot.” 

Leonardo went eight rounds in his last fight, winning a decision over Dominique Griffin. But that was back in August, so he’s hungry to get back into the ring again. He’ll do so against Frank Gonzalez (12-5, 6 KOs), of Tampa, who has gone eight rounds in each of his last two fights. 

Brooklynite Pryce Taylor (3-0, 2 KOs), an intriguing heavyweight prospect, will also be in action on this show in a four-rounder. Taylor is one of the participants on this card who has also competed on the Boxing Insider shows at Sony Hall, winning a decision over Antonio Torres on March 7.

Another May 18 contestant who’s been at Sony Hall is middleweight Jacob Solis, who debuted there back in December, and is now 3-0 with all the victories coming by knockout.

There are other great prospects in action. Junior welterweight Dwyke Flemmings (6-0, 6 KOs) is a powder keg out of Paterson, NJ, who has recorded four one-round knockouts and will be in a scheduled six-rounder; middleweight Famous Wilson (4-0, 2 KOs) is a former New York Golden Gloves champ who is in a four-rounder. Other four-round contestants include super middleweight Joel Telles (2-0, 2 KOs), of Brooklyn, and lightweight Koby Williams, also of Brooklyn, a NY Golden Gloves and Metro champ who will make his professional debut.

Tickets are on sale and may be purchased at Ticketmaster.com and at the Tropicana Box Office. 

Bouts begin at 7:30 pm ET, doors open at 6:30 pm ET. This exciting event will be streamed live and free of charge at BoxingInsider.com.

Boxing Insider Promotions to showcase local favorites and promising prospects on its May 11 card on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City