Larry Goldberg (left) and Andy Dominguez after their match on the Boxing Insider Promotions card. Photo credit: Stephanie Trapp
Growing up in Atlantic City, Larry Goldberg found himself immersed in the thriving boxing scene that was unfolding in the boardwalk towns during the late 1980s and early ’90s. While his peers were attending baseball and football games, Goldberg and his friends were captivated by the boxing matches held at Atlantic City venues like the Trump Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, featuring legendary bouts such as Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks and Tommy Morrison vs. Ray Mercer.
Attending these events, Goldberg noticed the empty seats reserved for A-list celebrities invited by Donald Trump, who rarely showed up. Fearing the wasted opportunity, Goldberg decided to take matters into his own hands.
Instead of sneaking into boxing shows, Goldberg now orchestrates them as a prominent figure in New York City’s club show boxing scene through his company, Boxing Insider Promotions. Goldberg aims to provide a platform for rising talents with quality matchups typically seen on the undercards of televised main events. In 2023 alone, he plans to host six shows featuring competitive prospects and exciting fights.
Goldberg’s passion for boxing extends beyond promotion; it’s about cultivating a positive environment for fighters to transition from amateurs to professionals. He envisions his role as a promoter as a stepping stone for emerging talents like Jacob Solis and Price Taylor, as well as a second chance for established names like Cletus Seldin and Heather Hardy.
Despite his recent foray into professional fight promotion, Goldberg’s roots in the boxing world trace back to his founding of BoxingInsider.com in 1997—an early online platform dedicated to the sport. Over the years, he has been actively involved in the media side of New York’s boxing landscape, managing fighters and contributing to the industry’s growth.
Goldberg’s journey into event promotion was sparked by a wrestling event he assisted with, leading him to venture into boxing promotion in 2021. His collaboration with industry stalwarts like Sonya Lamonakis and Lou DiBella has been pivotal in his evolution as a promoter.
Matthew Gonzalez (left) and Terrell Bostic, Goldberg and Lou DiBella look on before a game last June.Photo credit: Stephanie Trapp
Goldberg’s commitment to non-traditional matchmaking and his advocacy for fighters’ well-being set him apart in the boxing landscape. He prioritizes fair competition over profit-driven matchmaking, aiming to preserve the sport’s integrity.
His dedication to ethical promotion and genuine support for boxers reflect his desire to redefine the boxing industry’s norms and champion a more transparent and athlete-centered approach.
As Goldberg steers clear of the unsavory aspects of boxing promotion, his focus remains on elevating fighters, preserving the sport’s legacy, and fostering a community of integrity and excellence within the boxing world.
Ryan Songalia has written for ESPN, the New York Daily News, Rappler, and the Guardian, and is a 2020 graduate of the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism. Contact details are as follows: [email protected].
