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Long Island native and resident knockout specialist, Cletus “Hebrew Hammer” Seldin, is getting set for his HBO boxing debut this Saturday, Nov. 11, at the newly renovated Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.
Seldin, who lives in Bay Shore and is undefeated in his professional career with 20 wins, has knocked out 16 of his opponents.
But his skills will be put to test against Roberto “Massa” Ortiz, who holds a record of 35-1-2 with 26 KOs of his own.
“It is going to be an amazing event,” said the 31-year-old Seldin. “It is pretty cool to go there now and fight in front of everyone [from home].”
The super lightweight bout has many ramifications for Seldin. If he wins in spectacular fashion, he could be in the running for a title shot.
“This fight is my coming out party,” he said. “I’m the strongest 140 pounder in the division.”
Hebrew Hammer’s Long Island roots
Seldin was born in Shirley where he attended Longwood High School and helped his varsity football team win the Long Island Championship in 2004.
After high school, he was interested in mixed martial arts so he joined a local jiu jitsu gym in his hometown.
“My brother loves to tell the story how I tapped out on my first day,” Seldin said laughing.
It wasn’t until he was in his early 20s that he started boxing. And now he says he wants to continue to box for at least another five years. He trains locally at Long Island gyms such as Maximus Impact Boxing Gym in Riverhead.
“I want to show the kids handwork really pays off,” he said.
the card
Aside from Seldin, there are two intriguing fights Nov. 11, in former WBA middle weight champion Daniel Jacobs (32-2, 29 KOs) taking on Luis Arias (18-0, 9 KOs), and undefeated heavy weight Jarrell Miller (19-0, 17 KOs) fighting against Mariusz Wach (33-2, 17 KOs).
Top: Cletus “Hebrew Hammer” Seldin in the ring. (courtesy photo)
