Seldin's Fight Canceled

Cletus Seldin was scheduled to face Victor Vazquez tomorrow at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York, USA. But the fight was canceled today. The promoter, Star Boxing, initially explained the cancellation was due to "a medical issue" concerning Vazquez. During the pre-fight physical, Vazquez apparently failed the eye exam, which caused NYSAC to deny him a boxing license.

Though the cancellation of Seldin-Vazquez is surely disappointing for all involved, this is a case of the system, eventually, working. The eye issue was caught late in the game, but Vazquez could very well have been saved from irreparable harm had he been allowed to fight.

This comes in the wake of two cases in which the system did not work. Jeanette Zacarias Zapata, an 18 year old from Mexico, died from the punches she took to the head in her fight in Montreal last Saturday. Her wellbeing was repeatedly disregarded along the way. Ahead of his September 10 fight date, Oscar Valdez tested positive for phentermine, a substance banned by VADA (the Voluntary Anti-Doping Association). Despite both his A and B samples testing positive, his fight is currently still scheduled to take place. Defanging organization like VADA invites cheating and will eventually lead to tragedy. The health of the fighters must be the primary concern for all those involved in boxing.

Seldin (25-1, 21 KOs) last fought on February 28, 2020. His eighteen-month layoff will extend a bit longer. News of an upcoming fight will be released shortly.