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Friday, December 28, 2018

Seldin to Return in January

Cletus Seldin is scheduled to fight at the Mohegan Sun Casino in  Uncasville, Connecticut on January 26. Seldin is slated to face Adam Mate in a ten-round junior welterweight affair.

In his first fight back since his first career defeat, Seldin (22-1, 18 KOs) ran over journeyman Nelson Lara in 26 seconds to earn a first round stoppage victory last month. Seldin's trademark overhand right was on full display as he steamrolled past Lara. Lara (17-11-4, 9 KOs) has now been stopped seven times, but never before in the first round.

The bout against Hungarian pugilist Mate (28-13, 21 KOs) on January 26 signifies a tune up fight for Seldin. Mate is made for Cletus. Though Mate, nicknamed "Bad Boy," has primarily lost to quality opposition, he has been stopped ten times. Back in 2015, he lost to one of the best 140 pounders in the world currently, Josh Taylor, in Taylor's second pro fight. The following year Mate lost to prospect Juan Heraldez. Mate put up virtually no resistance to either Taylor or Heraldez.

Mate's "best" lost came in 2015 against the lanky DC-area prospect Mykal Fox. Mate managed to last the full six rounds with the then 19-year old. However, Mate didn't win around and Fox is not a puncher by any means. Mate has won nine fights against opponents with a winning record, but none of those opponents are noteworthy.

In his most recent fight, Mate was KOed on December 2 in the second round by former beltholder and Floyd Mayweather challenger Robert Guerrero, is making a comeback after retiring last year. Mate started his career as a super featherweight and fought as a lightweight as recently as 2017. Seldin has been as big as a junior middleweight during his career.

The 27 year old Hungarian does have a five year age, a half-inch height, and a 17 fight experience advantage. However, Adam Mate very well might be in for a short and painful night against Cletus Seldin on the 26th,