Appreciating alphabet champions: Bruce Seldon - the man who threw too much

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by themostoverrated, Feb 18, 2024.


  1. themostoverrated

    themostoverrated Active Member Full Member

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    When Mike Tyson got out of jail, Don King had some real plans for him. In an era stacked with top class heavyweights, the WBA decided to make a faded Tony Tucker as their mandatory challenger for champion 'Big' George Foreman. And when Foreman refused, the title was stripped off him and a fight was arranged to determine the new champion between Don King fighters Tucker and lesser-known Bruce Seldon. Seldon won, defended his title against some Joe Hipp and was scheduled to defend next against Mike Tyson.

    In the fight, Seldon threw himself to the mat just as Tyson's punches could barely make contact. The fight was over, and Seldon's career faded into obscurity.

    Let's take a moment to appreciate Bruce Seldon who could have had a HOF career had he chosen a different sport - diving.
     
    themostoverrated, Feb 18, 2024
    themostoverrated, Feb 18, 2024
    #1
  2. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Dude had very good tools. His problems were above the shoulders. First rate jab.
     
    Seamus, Feb 18, 2024
    Seamus, Feb 18, 2024
    #2
    Pat M likes this.
  3. ikrasevic

    ikrasevic Our pope is the Holy Spirit Full Member

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    Whichever scenario happened, it is unacceptable for Seldon to be champion in the competition: Bowe, Lewis, Moorer, Holyfield, Bruno, Mercer, Tua, Holmes... without defeating any of these boxers :)
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2024
    ikrasevic, Feb 18, 2024
    ikrasevic, Feb 18, 2024
    #3
    dmt likes this.
  4. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    I remember when he was just coming up, getting some good reviews. Then he faced Big Daddy and it went to pieces.
     
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2024
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2024
    #4
  5. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    The previous bout with McCall was the exposure event. A really good, competitive match with Seldon actually rocking McCall, hurting him pretty badly if I remember and ahead on the cards, but then wilting under the pressure and gassing out. Never seemed to regain his stride after that.
     
    Seamus, Feb 19, 2024
    Seamus, Feb 19, 2024
    #5
    Cobra33, Fergy and greynotsoold like this.
  6. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Who was the guy that knocked him down a couple of times earlier on in his career and Bruce jumped up like a jack in the box?
    The guys name escape me.
     
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2024
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2024
    #6
  7. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    You mean, this?

    This content is protected
     
    Seamus, Feb 19, 2024
    Seamus, Feb 19, 2024
    #7
    Fergy likes this.
  8. Fergy

    Fergy Walking Dead Full Member

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    Ahh that's the one, mate.
    I thought I'd dreamt it!
    Cheers
     
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2024
    Fergy, Feb 19, 2024
    #8
  9. Glass City Cobra

    Glass City Cobra H2H Burger King

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    The circumstances in boxing where a guy like Seldon became a legitimate "champion" are downright hilarious and don't happen in any other sport.

    How Tony Tucker became a WBA mandatory in the first place is puzzling. He lost to Lennox Lewis then beat a few complete nobodies. Tucker was 36 years old and was way past his prime fighting weight tipping the scales at 243 lbs.

    Seldon didn't exactly have a very convincing run up to his title contention either. He also beat mostly bums and unknowns aside from stopping an undefeated Popov (who sorely lacked experience with only 11 fights) and beat an old Greg Page who was coming off a loss. This was apparently more than enough to get him a fight with a fat old Tucker for the vacant belt.

    Crazy that boxers like Seldon can walk into any barbershop in America proudly announcing he used to be heavyweight champion.
     
    Glass City Cobra, Feb 19, 2024
    Glass City Cobra, Feb 19, 2024
    #9