Eduardo Garcia got nervous when he heard his fight was decided on a split decision.

But then, the Mainland Regional High School sophomore heard his name called.

Garcia, 15, of Somers Point, was one of about 30 young boxers who got to get in the ring at the Tropicana on Sunday.

    Atlantic City's Eduardo Garcia celebrates taking the split decision.  

"He was strong," Garcia said of his opponent. "He was big, tall. He was unpredictable."

He said he was especially happy to take the win at home.

"I feel like I did good in the ring," he said. "I’m proud."

Boxing Insider hosted Battle at the Shore, benefiting Atlantic City’s PAL a day after bringing a full professional card to the casino’s boxing showroom.

“I had a great time watching the kids of Atlantic City and (other) local kids fight in the amateur fights today,” said professional boxer Justin Figueroa, who also is known as Mr. Atlantic City. “It was a great event and fundraiser also for the kids of A.C. PAL.”

The three-round bouts brought lots of cheers and some heavy hitting.

    Police Lt. Willie Santiago, who has been with the PAL for 11 years, lays out the belts and medals before the first bell.  

The winner of each fight got a belt, but first presented their opponent with a medal, highlighting the sportsmanship the young boxers also are taught as part of their training. 

The home club started out with the first win of the day, as 14-year-old Muhammad Henderson got his win just 31 seconds into the first round.

One of the fights that got the most attention put Pleasantville’s Julio Sanchez, 23, against Atlantic City’s Thomas Ortega, the eldest boxer Sunday at 32.

Sanchez took the win in the third round.

    Pleasantville's Julio Sanchez with his father and coach for whom he's named.  

The youngest boxers on the card were 12 years old, but an even younger PAL member got to step in the ring.

Isa Chapman, 8, did not put on the gloves, but still was awarded a belt by Figueroa.

“Justin Time presents a future champ,” Figueroa read, using his other nickname.

“This kid trains hard. He listens to his coaches. He spars hard,” the professional boxer said. “And hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.”

    Isa Chapman, left, got a belt from boxer Justin Figueroa. With him is Atlantic City PAL Coach Osnel Charles and Charles' grandson, Carter Wilkins.  

The award was well-deserved, Isa’s coach, Osnel Charles, told BreakingAC. But that doesn’t mean the young boxer isn’t sometimes a challenge.

“I get at least one gray hair every day from him,” Charles joked. “The last month and a half he’s been working very, very hard.”

Charles, 41, has been with the PAL since moving to Atlantic City in 2001 from his native Haiti.

He went from amateur boxer to professional and now coach.

His grandson, a fourth-grader at New York Avenue School, also wants to box but says Charles won’t yet let him.

“He knows I’ll beat him,” a confident Carter Wilkins, 9, said.

“One day,” Charles replied. “But not today.”

Young boxers entered the ring for the event benefiting the Atlantic City PAL.