Undefeated heavyweights Bruce Seldon Jr. and Josh Popper will headline a seven-bout professional boxing event at the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Boxing Insider Promotions confirmed the “Tri-State Showcase” will feature a main event pitting Smithville’s Seldon Jr. (8-0, 6 KOs) against Egg Harbor Township’s Popper (7-0, 6 KOs) in a six-round clash. The first bell is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
The matchup brings a rare neighborhood rivalry to the professional stage, moving away from the cautious matchmaking typically seen with rising prospects. Both fighters have established strong ties to the venue; Seldon Jr. has secured five of his eight career wins at the Tropicana, while Popper has claimed two of his seven victories in the same showroom. Together, the two heavyweights have accounted for 13 knockouts in 15 combined fights, promising a volatile atmosphere for local fans.
Promoter Larry Goldberg noted the significance of the pairing, emphasizing that such high-stakes local fights are difficult to finalize in the current era. He described the participants as “daring to be great” by risking their perfect records in front of their home crowd. This approach to competitive matchmaking mirrors the recent growth seen in other divisions, such as how women’s boxing has embraced emerging prime talent to elevate the sport’s profile.
Heavyweight local rivalry at the Tropicana showroom
Bruce Seldon Jr., 31, enters the ring with a 75% knockout ratio and the lineage of his father, the former heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon. Standing at 6’0″, the orthodox hitter from Smithville has expressed that he has been waiting for a challenge of this nature since his professional debut. He face a physical disadvantage against the 6’3″ Josh Popper, who is 32 years old and holds an even higher knockout percentage of 85.71%.
Josh Popper, a resident of Egg Harbor Township born in Somers Point, has stopped six of his seven opponents. While some fighters might wait for major promotional backing or stalled negotiations similar to the Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua contract talks, Seldon and Popper have chosen a more direct route to regional supremacy. The winner of this June 13 bout will likely move toward national contention in the back half of 2026.
Co-feature and deep undercard lineup details
The co-feature of the evening is an eight-round super lightweight contest set at 142 lbs between Philadelphia’s Daiyaan Butt and Willmank Canonico Brito of Mexico. Butt is regarded as the most seasoned professional on the card, providing a veteran counterpoint to the younger prospects. He faces a significant threat in Brito, who brings 11 knockouts on his resume and a reputation for durability on the road.
Beyond the top two fights, the card includes several multi-round matchups focusing on New Jersey talent. Damian Tinnerello of Berlin, New Jersey, brings a record featuring four stoppages in five wins into a six-round super middleweight bout against Abdalla Nagy. Kahshad Elliott of Plainfield also returns to action; though frequently cited for his power, Elliott has fought seven times, securing six knockouts in those seven appearances as he faces Scottie Stockman.
The undercard is further bolstered by a four-round lightweight fight between Pleasantville’s Julio Sanchez III and Shawn Rall, while John Leonardo Jr. (13-1-1) takes on Brooklyn’s Daniil Platonovschi. Rounding out the extensive lineup are Jahanzeb Rizwan, John Gjini, Yoel Angeloni, Koby Khalil Williams, and David Malul. This volume of local talent serves the promoter’s goal of revitalizing Atlantic City’s standing as a boxing hub, much like how Andy Ruiz Jr. reportedly nearing a comeback generates renewed interest in the heavyweight landscape.
Regional implications for the Atlantic City boxing scene
Boxing Insider Promotions is leveraging the historical boxing heritage of Atlantic City to draw interest in the tri-state area. By pairing two undefeated heavyweights who share a high school rivalry and local pride, the event seeks to capture an audience often ignored by global mega-fights. Goldberg noted that the work required to make this fight happen was substantial, as both men are taking a genuine risk at home.
For Seldon Jr. and Popper, the six-round duration suggests a high-paced encounter where power will likely be the deciding factor. Unlike more tactical weight classes, the heavyweight division allows for a single punch to shift the trajectory of a career. On June 13, one of these local favorites will walk away with his first professional blemish, while the other will emerge as the new face of South Jersey boxing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main event for the June 13 boxing card in Atlantic City?
The main event features two undefeated heavyweights from South Jersey: Bruce Seldon Jr. (8-0, 6 KOs) and Josh Popper (7-0, 6 KOs) in a six-round bout. The fight will take place at the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom.
Which other fighters are featured on the Tri-State Showcase undercard?
The card includes a co-feature between super lightweights Daiyaan Butt and Willmank Canonico Brito. Other confirmed fighters include Damian Tinnerello, Kahshad Elliott, Julio Sanchez III, John Leonardo Jr., Jahanzeb Rizwan, John Gjini, Yoel Angeloni, Koby Khalil Williams, and David Malul.
What time does the event begin at the Tropicana?
The professional boxing event is scheduled to start with the first bell at 7:30 PM ET on Saturday, June 13, 2026. Fans can watch the seven-bout card live in the Tropicana Atlantic City Showroom.
