Saturday, May 11, 2024 | The Showroom at Tropicana Atlantic City, Atlantic City, NJ
Broadcast: Facebook (streamed live)
Promoter: Larry Goldberg, Boxing Insider Promotions
Boxing Insider Promotions brought professional boxing back to Tropicana Atlantic City for the first time in seven years — a massive seven-fight card that drew approximately 900 fans to the Showroom. Former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes was a special guest in attendance. Larry Goldberg, who once served drinks as a beverage server at Diamond Jim’s at the Tropicana, was now promoting live events at the venue. Only one bout went the distance all night.
MAIN EVENT
John Leonardo (11-1, 5 KOs) def. Frank Gonzalez (12-6, 6 KOs)
Junior Featherweight — 8 Rounds
Result: TKO Round 6
The Manalapan Township, New Jersey product and former New Jersey Golden Gloves winner steadily wore Gonzalez down over eight scheduled rounds. Leonardo was notably bigger and stronger, constantly on his man in short range, mixing it up and wearing the Hialeah, Florida fighter down until the referee stopped it in the sixth. A riveting contest with steady action throughout.
CO-FEATURE
Justin “Mr. Atlantic City” Figueroa (9-0, 7 KOs) def. Antoni Armas (13-8, 8 KOs)
Junior Middleweight — 6 Rounds
Result: RTD after Round 4 (corner stoppage — shoulder injury)
The hometown hero got the win, but not without a scare. Figueroa stalked the southpaw Venezuelan in the first before increasing pressure in the second — where Armas caught him with a counter right uppercut that put Figueroa on a knee. The officials ruled it a knockdown, though it appeared more like a slip from losing balance. Figueroa regrouped and dominated the third and fourth rounds before Armas’ corner pulled the plug, citing a shoulder injury. Figueroa celebrated with his trademark worm dance as 900 fans roared. Atlantic City had a new star.
Avious Griffin (14-0, 13 KOs) def. Lesther Espino (8-6, 6 KOs)
Welterweight — 8 Rounds
Result: KO Round 5
Arguably the best fight of the night. After a steady first round, Espino — fighting out of Miami via Nicaragua — blitzed Griffin in the second round in an all-out assault. Griffin survived and both fighters traded big combinations in a thrilling third. Griffin took control in the fourth, then got the referee stoppage in the fifth. An all-out pitched battle between two fighters who came to fight.
Dwyke Flemmings Jr. (7-1, 7 KOs) def. Jonathon Hampton (3-5, 1 KO)
Junior Middleweight — 6 Rounds
Result: TKO Round 4 (2:55) — Referee Eddie Claudio
New Jersey’s own Flemmings out of Paterson took control immediately, showing poise and solid punching with both hands, especially the left hook. Hampton tried to show some offense in the third but only ate more punishment. In the fourth, Flemmings’ left hook to the body, right to the head combination clicked steadily until Claudio stepped in. Flemmings told fans afterward he let the fight go on a little longer so they could see more of him.
Pryce Taylor (4-0, 2 KOs) def. Lawrence King Jr. (2-2, 1 KO)
Heavyweight — 4 Rounds
Result: Unanimous Decision
The only fight to go the distance. Brooklyn’s Taylor used his size and strength to steadily walk King down. King circled away and worked a good jab, but Taylor’s pressure turned it into a rear-guard action. Taylor stayed unbeaten in his first appearance outside Sony Hall.
Jacob Riley Solis (4-0, 4 KOs) def. Brandon Martinez (1-4, 1 KO)
Middleweight — 4 Rounds
Result: KO
Solis kept his perfect knockout streak alive, stopping Martinez to remain 4-0 with four stoppages.
Koby Khalil Williams (1-0, 1 KO) def. Kevin Hicks (1-3, 1 KO)
Lightweight — 4 Rounds
Result: TKO (pro debut)
Brooklyn’s Williams made an impressive professional debut, stopping Hicks to open the card and set the tone for an action-packed evening.
Boxing Insider Fight Night 10 marked the promotion’s expansion to Atlantic City, bringing boxing back to the Tropicana Showroom for the first time in seven years. For more results and upcoming events, visit Boxing Insider Promotions.
