Philadelphia, Pennsylvania--Lion Heart Boxing Productions, in association with Damon Feldman, will host Former World Champion Bruce Seldon (35-6) in his final comeback attempt.   The fight is the first fight to be held in North East Philadelphia and a Philadelphia Jewish Community Center.  Lion Heart Boxing Productions’ Northeast Philly Fight Night, a live Professional Boxing event, will be held at the Klein Branch of the Philadelphia Jewish Community Center in North East Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (the Klein JCC) on February 10, 2007.

New Jersey’s Bruce Seldon will face veteran Marcus Rhode (32-31).  Bruce Samuel Seldon (born January 30, 1967) was the World Boxing Association Heavyweight champion from 1995 to 1996. Seldon lost his WBA Heavyweight Championship when he was stopped in the first round by Tyson.  It was after the fight between Seldon and Tyson that Tupac Shakur was murdered in a drive-by shooting.

Known as "The Atlantic City Express", Seldon began his career on October 4, 1988 with a first round knockout of Joel McGraw and won his first 18 fights without a blemish. During his winning streak he defeated notables: Ezra Sellers (future world cruiserweight title challenger), Ossie Ocassio (former cruiserweight champion and heavyweight title challenger), David Bey (former world rated contender) and Jose Ribalta (former world title contender).

On April 18, 1991 future WBC world heavyweight champion Oliver McCall handed Bruce his first defeat. Seldon was clearly ahead on the scorecards entering the ninth round when he was unable to continue due to insufficient conditioning. The bout was stopped via the three knockdown rule when a visibly fatigued Seldon went down for the third time. In his next start Bruce was defeated by future undisputed World Heavyweight Champion Riddick Bowe.

Bruce went 13-1 over the next nearly four years, a streak which included a decision loss to former World Champion Tony Tubbs and a TKO victory over former World Champion Greg Page. On April 8, 1995 Bruce faced former World Champion Tony "TNT" Tucker for the vacant WBA Heavyweight Title. George Foreman was stripped of the title for fighting Axel Schulz instead of the organizations top contender, Tucker. Seldon was the WBA's second ranked heavyweight contender at the time. Bruce stopped Tucker at the end of round seven to claim the vacant title. It was the first stoppage loss of Tucker's career (his two previous losses were decisions to Mike Tyson and Lennox Lewis). In the lone defense his title Bruce stopped number 4 ranked contender Joe Hipp in the tenth round. Thirteen months after the Hipp bout, Seldon lost his title to Tyson at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The fight against Tyson was very short, lasting only about 90 seconds. The loss came on a knockdown where it seemed as though Tyson landed only a very light hit, prompting the crowd to chant "Fix!" repeatedly.

Bruce retired for 7 1/2 years before returning to the ring on March 6, 2004 when he registered a third round knockout over Otis Tisdale and one month later he dispatched Lenzie Morgan in two rounds. The third bout of his comeback was May 15, 2004 versus undefeated prospect Gerald Nobles. Bruce knocked Nobles down in round two and was up on the official scorecards after 8 rounds. Early in round 9 Bruce was thumbed in the eye and was unable to continue.  Nobles was awarded a 9th round TKO victory.  In his most recent fight on October 28, 2005, an out of shape Seldon was stopped in the second round by Tye Fields.

This comeback is Seldon’s last one and Seldon is training as if his life depends on it according to his manager Jim Kurtz.  Say Kurtz,  “Seldon knows that he has just one more bite at the apple.  He was always a gym rat and always trained hard.  However, I do not think that I have ever seen him train as hard.  We thank Edward Mendy and Lion Heart for believing in Bruce and giving us a chance.”

Lion Heart’s Edward Mendy says, “We are honored to host Seldon’s comeback.  Many questioned Seldon’s resolve after the Tyson Fight.  His valiant effort in the Nobles fight erased all those doubts.  Seldon took the Field fight out of shape and overconfidence.  Seldon deserves another chance and Lion Heart Boxing Productions is the champion of second chances.”

In a feature bout undefeated Light Heavyweight Prospect Charles “Italian Bull” Cavallo (13-0) takes on Ron Boddie for Tri-State bragging rights.  Also on the undercard are Malcolm “The Showstopper” Tann (22-2), Philadelphia Welterweight Prospect Troy Browning (19-0), Victor Vasquez (2-0), David Williams (5-0), Reuel Williams (3-1) and Juan Nazario (2-0), all against opponents to be announced. 

Rounding out the undercard is the overdue return of Lion Heart’s own Frederic “Big Fred” Kassi (6-0) of New Orleans, Louisiana.  An undefeated heavyweight prospect with incredible raw talent, Kassi is coming back after a layoff of almost three years.

Tickets are reasonable priced at $30.00 General Admission; $45 for Reserved seats and $55.00 for Ringside.  Tickets may be purchased at the venue.  VIP tables are available only on a first-come-first-serve basis by calling 917-605-0250.