Bruce Seldon Jr., the son of former WBA heavyweight titleholder Bruce Seldon, is set to return to the ring for the fourth fight of his professional career on November 16 at the Tropicana Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Despite the weight of his family's legacy, the 30-year-old Seldon is determined to carve his own path in the sport of boxing.

Embracing the Seldon Name, Defining His Own Legacy

Carrying the Seldon Legacy

Bruce Seldon Jr. understands that his name carries a certain weight in the boxing world. His father, Bruce Seldon, had a brief but memorable reign as the WBA heavyweight champion in 1995-1996 before losing the title to Mike Tyson. While the Seldon name is etched in history, Seldon Jr. is aware that he must forge his own path."You know, it definitely brings extra attention," Seldon Jr. acknowledges. "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."

A Winding Road to the Ring

Seldon Jr.'s journey to the ring has been far from straightforward. Before turning to boxing, he pursued a different sport altogether – football. "Life after high school was about chasing the football dream," he recalls. "I played fullback, running back, linebacker, defensive end, nose guard, and kick return. I was all over the field." However, a crucial oversight derailed his athletic aspirations. "I could have had a scholarship, but I was very stupid and never took my SATs," he admits. "Just a dumb kid not knowing the importance of education."It was only later in life that Seldon Jr. found his way back to the sport of boxing. "It's been on and off pretty much my whole life," he says. "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 Jr. returned to New Jersey, where he continues to pursue his boxing career.

Mending Relationships, Forging His Own Path

Seldon Jr.'s relationship with his father has been a complex one. "We had a decent relationship," he says. "Lately, our relationship has been mending, which I'm very happy about." However, the elder Seldon is careful not to overshadow his son's journey. "He doesn't want me to be in his shadow," Seldon Jr. explains. "He wants me to carve my own path, so our relationship is more about us than boxing."As Seldon Jr. prepares for his upcoming fight, he is determined to make his own mark in the sport. "I have to go to the gym every day, train hard, and perform just like everybody else," he says. With the Seldon name as a backdrop, Seldon Jr. is focused on creating his own legacy, one fight at a time.