Bruce Seldon Jnr, son of former WBA heavyweight titleholder Bruce Seldon, returns to the ring for the fourth fight of his professional career on November 16 at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The 30-year-old Seldon of Smithville, New Jersey, is set for another four-round bout, adding to a career that has seen only one fight go past the opening round.
Seldon understands that when he enters the ring he isn’t just judged on his own merit, it is the footsteps that he follows in.
His father had a brief run with the WBA belt in 1995-1996 before a quick loss to Mike Tyson, who was making his return from his three-year prison.
“You know, it definitely brings extra attention,” he said of following in his father’s path. “But other people’s expectations, it doesn’t really affect me. I have to carve my own lane, just like every other boxer out there. I have to go to the gym every day, train hard, and perform just like everybody else.”
While the Seldon name is etched in history, Seldon Jnr’s path to boxing was far from straightforward. Before turning to boxing, Seldon Jnr pursued a different sport. “Life after high school was about chasing the football dream,” he said. “I played fullback, running back, linebacker, defensive end, nose guard, and kick return. I was all over the field.”
Yet a key oversight altered his future. “I could have had a scholarship, but I was very stupid and never took my SATs,” he said. “Just a dumb kid not knowing the importance of education.”
His journey to the ring might have begun early, but was inconsistent to start with.
“It’s been on and off pretty much my whole life,” Seldon Jnr said. “I started as a kid in Atlantic City, then stopped, went back, and later chased football. In Las Vegas, I picked up boxing again at City Boxing and trained seriously.”
After the loss of his trainer in Las Vegas, Seldon Jnr returned to New Jersey, where he continued his career.
As for his father, Seldon Jnr explained his relationship with the man who wasn’t in the house with him growing up. “We had a decent relationship,” Seldon Jnr said. “Lately, our relationship has been mending, which I’m very happy about.”
His father’s influence remains subtle but supportive as Seldon Jnr negotiates the beginnings of his own career.
“He doesn’t want me to be in his shadow,” Seldon Jnr said. “He wants me to carve my own path, so our relationship is more about us than boxing.”