Rising Promotions Signs Seldon, Johnson, Murray, Sparks, Holden

Rising Promotions is proud to announce the signings of super middleweight Isiah Seldon, super lightweights Marvin Johnson and Dan Murray, bantamweight Dallas Holden, cruiserweight David Sparks and featherweight Dion Sparks to exclusive promotional contracts.

They join undefeated heavyweight Quian Davis (3-0-2, 2 KO’s) as the first group of fighters to ink contracts under the Rising Promotions banner.

Davis is coming off a 28 second knockout this past Saturday night in Trenton, New Jersey, over Jonathan Hafley. Seldon, of Atlantic City, New Jersey, has a record of 9-1 with three knockouts.

The 28 year-old son of former WBA Heavyweight champion Bruce Seldon turned professional in 2010 and won his first seven bouts. Following his lone blemish, Seldon has won two fights in 2016, which includes his latest outing, a six-round unanimous decision over Eddie Edmond on May 27 in Atlantic City.

“I am happy and excited,” said Seldon. “I know they will keep me busy and they are bringing boxing back to Atlantic City. It’s a blessing.”

Johnson has a record of 1-0-1. The Bridgeton, New Jersey, native is had a long amateur career of 211-31. He was a 2007 National PAL in 2007 and six time Florida PAL champion. Johnson was a three time time Ringside World Championship runner-up and three time National PAL Runner-Up.

Johnson, 24 years-old, turned professional in 2014 and is is coming off a four-round unanimous decision over Lamont White on July 22 in Atlantic City.

“It’s a blessing and great opportunity in my career,” said Johnson. “It puts my family in a better position. It gives me a good opportunity to fight in front of my hometown fans. I want to thank Debbie LaManna, Thomas LaManna and Vinny LaManna. It has effected and changed my family lives. I was on the shelf for a year and now I get the opportunities to show my skills.”

Murray, 24 years-old from Barnegat, New Jersey, was 26-7 as an amateur. He was a New Jersey Golden Gloves and New Jersey Diamond Gloves champion. Murray trains at the Atlantic City PAL.

“I am very excited and ready to go out and show the world what I have to offer, I am glad to sign with Rising Promotions and I will show everyone what I am all about,” said Murray. “I worked very hard and hard work pays off.”

Holden, 20 years-old from Atlantic City, was a highly regarded amateur who amassed 50 fights. Holden fought in the Philadelphia Golden Gloves. He has a professional record of 1-0. Holden turned professional on July 22 with a four-round unanimous decision over Kevin Asmat in Atlantic City.

“I have known Thomas for a long time and its going to be a good thing,” said Holden. “It’s going to open a lot of doors. Because of my amateur career, people know me and now they want to see me fight as a professional.”

David Sparks of Brooklyn, New York, has a record of 2-0. The 31 year-old turned professional in 2014 and in his latest outing, he won a four-round unanimous decision over Marcellus Yates on March 28, 2015 in Queens, New York.

Before turning pro, Sparks competed in 80 amateur fights and amassed three National championships, Golden Gloves and Ringside world championships.

“Signing came at a great time,” said Sparks. “We needed a break in our career. We have been going through some difficult things. I expect to fight a lot. Hopefully every month or two. I am always in the gym. Hopefully eight to ten fights.

Dion Sparks, 19 years old, had 135 amateur fights. He won three national championships and two world championships, and at one point was ranked number-one in the United States.

“This is every exciting,” said Sparks. “I can do really great with Rising Promotions. I am young and talented. We have been all over – including at [the] Mayweather Gym. I am always in shape and I am ready to fight. I have great expectations.

“I would like to fight 8 to 10 times and just stay active. I think within two or three years, we can get the right fights and fight for a championship. They set them up and we will knock them down. We appreciate Rich Masini and all he has done for us.”

“We are very excited to announce our first signings,” said Thomas LaManna of Rising Promotions. “When we started the promotion, one of our missions was to give local fighters opportunities to showcase their abilities.

“So to have signed five fighters from New Jersey and two from New York is a great start for us. I think because of the success of our series at The Claridge has and will continue to attract top talent from this area. We will continue to look for and sign the best fighters and continue to put on the top-notch shows that we have over the past year.”