By Boxing Insider promotions

Tropicana Atlantic City, the longtime epicenter of boxing on the East Coast, returns with a bang in 2026. On Saturday, March 7, Boxing Insider Promotions returns to the Tropicana showroom with a stack of cards featuring female boxing and regional talent – representing one of the city’s busiest fight weekends in years, with Ring of Combat MMA packing into the same venue the night before on Friday.

March 7 Main attractions at Tropicana

“Mr. Atlantic City” Justin Figueroa, NABF junior welterweight champion, will claim his 15th professional victory in a soon-to-be-announced professional bout.

John Leonardo, who headlined Boxing Insider’s first professional event in May 2024 in Manalapan Township, Recent Jersey, makes his highly anticipated return to the ring on March 7 against veteran Edgar Joe Cortes of Millville, Recent Jersey.

Women’s boxing takes center stage as Lia Lewandowski clashes with Indeya Smith in a fight that has already caused quite a stir as one of the biggest women’s fights of the start of the year.

Bredwinners Boxing’s Josh Popper returns after a crowd-pleasing debut in Atlantic City in November, chasing victory number six with his trademark charisma and knockout power.

Local favorite Julio Sanchez (3-1) is targeting 4-1 against tough veteran Bababooey, encouraging the city of Pleasantville to root for this one-time soccer hero and second-generation boxer.

The rest of this loaded club card will be revealed soon – full breakdowns will appear in the next Notebook.

Tickets sell quickly. Get your copy at Ticketmaster.com and join us on Saturday, March 7 at Tropicana Atlantic City. Doors at 6:00 p.m., first bell at 7:00 p.m.

Quick hits from the boardwalk

• Just last night (January 23, 2026), Mike Tyson concluded his “Return of the Mike” tour with an energy-packed solo performance at Demanding Rock Live at Etess Arena. The boxing icon delivered raw stories, humor and reflections on his legendary career to a captivated audience – further proof that Atlantic City remains forever linked to Iron Mike’s heavyweight dominance.
• The 10th Annual Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame Awards Gala and Induction Weekend will be held September 25-27, 2026 at the Demanding Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.
• Promoted by Matchroom, the Jaron “Boots” Ennis vs. Eimantas Stanionis welterweight bout last April at Boardwalk Hall generated an economic impact of $1.59 million for the city, according to calculations by Visit Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Boxing Hall of Fame.
• Jackie Atkins presents the second annual East Coast Women’s Championship, February 7-8 at Showboat. Sanctioned by USA Boxing, the two-day women’s amateur tournament aims to develop and promote women’s boxing on the East Coast by offering championship belts, “best female boxer” awards and valuable experience for boxers, coaches and officials.
• The Team Boxing League (formerly Team Combat League) hosted the official national qualifiers for Season IV on January 16-18 at the Traymore Ballroom in Bally’s Atlantic City. The three-day event was attended by elite amateurs and professionals from across the country.
• Philadelphia promoter Rodney Rice has a Feb. 21 event at Showboat headlined by Atlantic City’s Francisco “Cisco” Rodriguez.
• Christian “Spazz” Figueroa – the younger brother of “Mr. Atlantic City” Justin Figueroa – makes his second professional walk Feb. 7 at Demanding Rock after a first-round knockout in his debut.

Remember when: Tyson destroys Holmes – January 22, 1988

On a frosty January night in 1988, one of the most crucial heavyweight fights of the era took place at the Atlantic City Convention Center (known as Trump Plaza): undefeated Mike Tyson versus former champion Larry Holmes.

Tyson, the youngest heavyweight king in history, put his WBA, WBC and IBF titles on the line against the 38-year-old Holmes, who was trying to make a comeback. The fight, dubbed “heavyweight history,” lasted four brutal rounds as Tyson’s speed and power overwhelmed Holmes, knocking him down three times in the fourth round before the break at 2:55. The hall was filled with over 20,000 fans.

Last call

The March 7 event will be Boxing Insider Promotions’ 20th showcase since October 2002 and seventh in Atlantic City since May 2024. We hosted six professional events in 2025 (three in AC, three in Recent York) and a PAL charity event in November, which earned us an Excellence Award from the Atlantic City Police Department and AC PAL.

Atlantic City Police Chief Sarkos praised promoter Larry Goldberg for taking action that makes a real difference in the lives of local children.

“Larry Goldberg showed what true community leadership looks like,” said Chief Sarkos. “His commitment to our PAL boxing program goes far beyond generosity – he invests his time, energy and heart to facilitate our youthful people realize their potential. Larry doesn’t just support these kids; he believes in them. And that belief creates opportunities that can change the course of their lives.”

We are especially proud to carry on the legacy of the delayed Don Elbaum, who made Tropicana the center of boxing on the East Coast in the 1980s with a legendary series of 196 fight cards – many on Tuesday nights in front of sold-out crowds. We honored him here last year, shortly before his death, and each time Boxing Insider is held here, we keep that tradition alive.

See you in the ring.

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