Larry Goldberg is embracing being an underdog among the big promoters.
His next foray comes this weekend. Goldberg’s Boxing Insider Promotions will return on Friday, in association with DiBella Entertainment and OTX Boxing, with a show headlined by a Kurt Scoby-Alex Martin eight-round junior welterweight bout at Sony Hall in New York City.
Goldberg, a former media member and founder of BoxingInsider.com, has enjoyed going from covering boxing to promoting it. He officially made the transition in 2022. Friday will mark his 18th show.
While many boxing promoters project grandiose, larger-than-life personalities, dressing in designer fashions or stirring the pot in front of the press, Goldberg is modest and genuine in his thoughts about where he fits into the sport.
“I love being the little guy in New York City,” Goldberg told BoxingScene. “What is different from me and the other big promoters is that I like being the stepping stone.”
Goldberg loves giving a platform to young fighters striving to make their way in the sport.
This series will be broadcast via delay on SNY, the network home to Major League Baseball’s New York Mets. Goldberg spoke with passion about each fight on the card, whether it was the main event or Josh Popper, a 4-0 (4 KOs) 31-year-old from Manhattan, New York, who the tabloids have linked to Madonna.
“We are just making good fights rather than looking at every fighter like a real estate deal,” Goldberg said. “It makes me a disruptor.”
Scoby, 17-1 (15 KOs), is on a four-fight knockout streak after being stopped by Dakota Linger in April 2024. Originally from California, the 30-year-old Scoby now lives in Pennsylvania.
In July, Martin, 19-8 (6 KOs), won a unanimous decision over Daiyaan Butt in an eight-round bout. A 36-year-old from Hammond, Indiana, Martin pulled off the upset over Butt, the hometown fighter, which led him to this fight.
Then there is Nadim Salloum, 13-2 (7 KOs), who is believed to be the only pro fighter from Lebanon. Salloum recently got his visa and is now back in America.
Super middleweight Donte Layne, 7-0 (6 KOs), one of boxing’s most exciting up-and-comers, fought in Sony Hall last December. Layne will fight for the second time in 2025.
Goldberg explained that what makes his shows unique is the small and intimate venue.
“The difference between Sony Hall and other venues is, it only holds about 500 people,” Goldberg said. “You’re right on top of the action. You feel every punch. You’re in a club atmosphere and you’re right on top of the ring.”
Lucas Ketelle is the author of “Inside the Ropes of Boxing,” a guide for young fighters, a writer for BoxingScene and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Find him on X at @BigDogLukie.
