Tag Archives: Sampson Lewkowicz

ONE OF BOXING’S MOST EXCITING FIGHTERS, WBA SUPER FEATHERWEIGHT CHAMPION JAVIER FORTUNA, TO MAKE SECOND DEFENSE AGAINST HARD-PUNCHING JASON SOSA IN BEIJING CHINA, ON FRIDAY, JUNE 24

 

On Friday, June 24, at the 18,000-seat Beijing Capital Gym in Beijing, China, one of boxing’s most exciting fighters, Javier “El Abejon” Fortuna (29-0-1, 21 KOs) will make the second defense of his WBA World Super Featherweight Championship against hard-punching WBA #8 contender Jason Sosa (18-1-4, 14 KOs). The potential war between the two sluggers will be also be seen by an audience of nearly 100 million Chinese via cctv5 channel live broadcast.
Fortuna vs. Sosa was officially announced at a press conference in Beijing today as the first in an ongoing series of four high-profile events per year that will be put on by the co-promotional partnership of Mr. Min Du Modoson and Mr. Liu Gang of Max Power Promotions “MPP” and Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing.
26-year-old Fortuna, of La Romana, Dominican Republic, has been a standout in boxing since his days as a decorated amateur who participated in the inaugural Pan American Junior Championships in 2003. Considered one of the most exciting fighters in the sport, Fortuna won his current title with a unanimous decision over Bryan Vasquez in May 2015. He defended it successfully in September of last year with a TKO 10 over Carlos Ivan Velasquez. Fortuna previously won the Interim WBA Featherweight Championship by beating formerly undefeated Patrick Hyland in December 2012. The powerful southpaw is also known for scoring highlight reel knockouts over formidable opponents including Yuandale Evans (TKO 1) and Miguel Zamudio (KO 1). Fortuna is promoted by Sampson Boxing.
28-year-old Sosa, of Camden, New Jersey, is of proud Puerto Rican descent. He earned his title shot and caught the eyes of the boxing world in December of last year by fighting to a surprise draw with one of the sport’s top fighters, two-time world champion Nicholas “Axe Man” Walters of Jamaica. The fight was televised on HBO Boxing After Dark. A powerful puncher, Sosa was riding a 13-fight knockout streak before facing Walters. Sosa is also known for his aggressive style and iron chin. He has been called the best fighter to come out of Camden since former world champion Dwight “Camden Buzzsaw” Muhammad Qawi. Sosa is promoted by Peltz Boxing.
Here’s what the promoters, participants and their trainers had to say:
Javier Fortuna
I feel great. I am honored to be fighting in China.
He’s a strong fighter and he is always thinking in there. Nevertheless, I feel that I’m more talented and have more ability. I also have the stronger punching power.
I have been waiting for this opportunity. I am looking forward to this fight for my team and my country.
I’ve fought punchers before and I box them until their power starts to dissipate and then I rumble with them.
I appreciate all the love I get from the fans, worldwide. That’s why I train hard: to gain fans and to make myself the best fighter I can be.
Jason Sosa
It’s a great opportunity. This is what every fighter dreams of: to fight for a world title.
It depends on what kind of fight Fortuna wants. I’ll be in there fighting smart and just see what kind of fight he wants to bring. We can go to war, or we can box. It’s up to him.
He’s a little aggressive. A little wild. Just another guy.
I’m not really doing anything different training for him. Everything I’m doing is working, so I don’t fix anything that’s not broken.
I’m excited and nervous to fight in China. It’s my first time out of the country for me. I can’t wait to go there and I know it’ll be a beautiful experience.
 
Mr. Min Du Modoson
We are happy to be partnering with international matchmaker and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz to bring world-class boxing to the county of China.
Javier Fortuna has what it takes to become a star in China. He and his worthy opponent will be greeted with open arms by our people.
Mr. Liu Gang
This event will be huge in the country of China. Our company, MPP, is excited to work with Sampson Lewkowicz and to be able to bring such a great fight to the people.
China is a boxing-rich country. Boxers here are heroes to the people. Both fighters will be treated like celebrities and the fight will be watched by millions and millions of people.
Sampson Lewkowicz
I am happy to be helping to put on this event in the beautiful country of China and looking forward to a long and prosperous co-promotional partnership with Mr. Min Du Modoson and Mr. Liu Gang of MPP.
We have plans to feature many of the world’s best fighters in terrific match-ups like this one.
Javier Fortuna will be facing a fighter with almost as much power as he has, and he will have to be at his best to get another victory.
Russell Peltz
It’s going to be a great fight and Sosa is looking forward to winning the world title.
Sosa just held his own and fought to a draw with one of the top junior lightweights in the world, Nicholas Walters, and it boosted his confidence level even higher.
Fortuna and Sosa are the same size, so I think that’s good. Sosa also has great sparring with another very good left hander, Tevin Farmer. They’re stablemates. Tevin is the perfect imitation, size wise, not style wise, of Fortuna.
Hector Bermudez (Fortuna Trainer)
I think it’s going to be an excellent fight for Fortuna to show off his talents internationally.
Sosa is a great opponent that we’ll have to train hard for and be focused against. It won’t be easy but Fortuna is training hard and it should be a great fight.
Sosa is a pressure fighter and a big puncher with the left hand. He’s rugged and throws combinations.
Me, as a trainer, I have already picked Sosa apart. He lunges a lot. He’s definitely aggressive and has a huge left hook.
 
Raul Rivas
It’ll be an interesting fight.
Fortuna is very talented, but I do believe that this is a good time for Jason to take this fight. He’s fought the better opposition.
Fortuna is a fighter that comes to fight, and we come to fight, so I believe it’ll be a very exciting fight, with two guys doing what they do best out there.
I believe we have the better and stronger fighter, so I like our chances.
I’ve never been to China, neither has Jason. We’re looking forward to the experience as a team; to be in a different country and experience something different. I know the Chinese population loves boxing, and combat sports. We are expecting a great show.
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.
Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz Ordered to Begin Negotiating Guzman vs. Wake Fight for Vacant IBF Super Bantamweight Title

Sampson Boxing Fighters Score Four Impressive KOs in One Weekend
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has been given the go-ahead to begin negotiating a world-title fight between his fighter, explosive KO punching Dominican Jonathan Guzman, and the promoters for Japan’s Shingo Wake.
As per their rules for vacant championships, Lewkowicz, representing Guzman, the IBF #2 super bantamweight, and Kyoei Promotions representing IBF #1 Wake were ordered to begin negotiations immediately and have them completed no later than June 2 of this year.
Guzman (21-0, 21 KOs) is hot on the heels of a sensational eight-round stoppage victory over Daniel Rosas last Friday, April 29, in Atlantic City, in a voluntary eliminator for the #2 spot in the ratings.
Wake (20-4-2, 12 KOs) earned his number one spot by scoring a unanimous decision victory over Thailand’s Mike Tawatchai last June.
Also per IBF rules neither boxer may compete in another match until they face each other.
“Any boxer who is contracted with a promoter, a network, or a state, tribal or national commission to take another fight, or who is ill, injured, under a legal impediment which could prevent the bout from taking place in the opinion of the IBF/USBA, or on suspension at the time the Championships Chairman and the President order a bout under this rule shall be considered unavailable. We would then move to the next available contender. Neither fighter can take another fight until this fight for the vacant title is concluded.”
In the event the camps cannot reach an agreement by June 2, the IBF will call for purse offers to be held to determine who will promote the bout, when and where it will be held.
The Guzman vs. Wake fight is more good news for Sampson Boxing, who had four different fighters score sensational victories over the weekend.
In addition to the aforementioned Guzman TKO, Sampson Boxing’s Jorge “Pilon” Lara scored a jaw-dropping KO 1 over former world champion Fernando Montiel at the StubHub Center in Carson, California, on Saturday. Lara had the formidable Montiel on the deck four times in a brutal beatdown that only lasted 1:37.
The same night in the same venue, future world champion and boxing prodigy David “El Bandera Roja/Red Flag” Benavidez destroyed capable New Yorker Phillip Jackson Benson by KO 2. Benavidez, now 14-0, 13 KOs, had way too much firepower for Jackson, who entered the ring a respectable 16-2, 15 KOs. The end came at 2:07 with Jackson down and ruled unable to continue without a count being needed. A star on the near horizon in boxing, high network demand means that Benavidez will be back in action in July.
And in his professional debut on Friday night, on the Guzman undercard in Atlantic City, highly decorated amateur star Abraham “Super” Nova turned professional the right way by levelling Delaware’s also debuting Weusi Johnson by KO 1.
Nova, of Braintree, Massachusetts, began his professional career undefeated by putting Weusi to sleep at 2:56 of the first.
“I am looking forward to getting my superstar KO artist Jonathan Guzman his first title shot later this year,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “And I give my congratulations to all my other fighters who won by knockout this past weekend. Jorge Lara is back in a big way and headed for a world championship after beating Montiel. David Benavidez is going to become the youngest Mexican super middleweight champion in boxing history and Abraham Nova let the world know he’s here with his power punching. I am proud to be promoting every one of these fighters.”

Lewkowicz Congratulates Oscar Escandon for Title-Winning Victory

Knockout Over Robinson Castellanos Makes Escandon the Second Sampson Boxing World Champion in Two Weeks
 
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate his fighter, Oscar Escandon, for his title-winning victory on Saturday night in at the DC Armory in Washington, DC.
Escandon (25-2, 17 KOs), from , stepped up a weight class and picked up the interim WBC World Featherweight Championship with a KO 7 over Mexico’s Robinson Castellanos. A powerful uppercut from Escandon ended matters at the 2:59 mark.
With the victory, Escandon became the second Sampson Boxing fighter to win a world championship in the last two weeks. Mexico’s Hugo Ruiz won the WBC World Super Bantamweight title with a KO 1 over Julio Ceja.
“I did this for my country of Colombia,” said Escandon. “I am proud to be fighting for them and it was their support that helped carry me though this tough fight.”
“First of all, my warmest congratulations to Oscar Escandon and his team, Ruben Guerrero and family,” said Lewkowicz. “Oscar has made his entire country of Colombia proud by winning his second world championship for them.”
Escandon also held the WBA World Super Bantamweight Title in 2014.

“We will let Oscar enjoy his new belt for a little bit, but will soon go to work preparing him to meet the winner of the fight between full WBC Champion Gary Russell Jr. and Ireland’s Patrick Hyland on April 16. We would love for that fight to be in New York City, in front of the huge Colombian community.”

Lewkowicz Congratulates New WBC Super Bantamweight Champ Hugo Ruiz

Team Ruiz Sets Sights on Carl Frampton
 
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing wishes to congratulate the fighter he co-promotes (along with Oswaldo Kuchle of Promociones Del Pueblo), Hugo “Cuatito” Ruiz, for his title winning victory on Saturday night.
Fighting on the Showtime-televised co-main event last Saturday (February 27) at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, Ruiz (36-3, 32 KOs) gained revenge against Julio Cesar Ceja and took back his WBC World Super Bantamweight Championship via TKO 1 (:51 seconds).
“Hugo was the fighter I knew he was tonight,” said a happy Lewkowicz. “In the first fight, he gave this guy too much respect. This time he came out looking to destroy him and he did.”
Ruiz and Ceja met for the first time last August. A big left hook in the third round had Ceja nearly out, but Ceja landed his own hook in the fifth and ended up with a TKO victory, seconds later.
In the rematch on Saturday, Ruiz dropped Ceja with one of his first few punches, sending him down hard and injuring his ankle. Ceja rose but the follow-up barrage ended matters for good.
Lewkowicz says the future is now bright for his 29-year-old fighter from Los Mochis, Mexico.
“Ceja is crying for a third fight, but we are not looking at that,” said Lewkowicz. “Except for one lucky punch in the first fight, Hugo has dominated him every round. We are more interested in one of the other super bantamweight champions in this exciting division.”
Lewkowicz says there’s a unification fight he wants above all the rest for Ruiz. “I enjoy a good working relationship with the team behind now-unified champion Carl Frampton. We would be willing to travel to Europe to make that sensational fight happen.”

SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS UNDEFEATED SUPER LIGHTWEIGHT JUAN RUIZ TO PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing is proud to announce the signing to a long-term exclusive promotional agreement of undefeated Venezuelan super lightweight Juan El Niño” Ruiz.
29-year-old Ruiz (16-0, 10 KOs) from Santa Teresa del Tui, has suffered long layoffs due to promotional and managerial problems in the past, but says his problems are now behind him with the addition of promoter Lewkowicz to the team.
A well-rounded boxer puncher who fights at distance and on the inside equally well, Ruiz had 220 amateur fights before turning professional in 2006. He held the WBC FECARBOX super lightweight title in 2011 and was once world rated by the WBA and WBC.
“I’m happy about this deal and really looking forward to showing the world what I can do,” said Ruiz. “I want to get in with top guys right away. I’m better than everybody out there, I just needed the opportunity to shine.”
Ruiz’s co-manager Ben Lieblein (along with Alfredo Rodriguez) says his fighter was always a future champion who needed the right team to get him there.
“Were excited and looking forward to getting him ranked and fighting for a world title, hopefully this year. All he needs is exposure. He’s a talented kid who had a lot of time wasted by bad manager and promoters. He will provide exciting fights first chance he gets.”
Ruiz is training in San Diego with Carlos Barragan, who also works with undefeated super welterweight Miguel Sanchez and undefeated welterweight Antonio Orozco, among others. He will compete in the super lightweight or welterweight divisions, depending on opportunities that arise.

“This is a very talented fighter who just needed a break,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “I will work hard to find him the right fights, so he can go to the top of the 140/147 divisions quickly. I am happy to be working with him and his team. This is going to be a big year for his boxing career. All he has to do is win.”

About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.
Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Sampson Boxing Wins Right to Promote McJoe Arroyo vs. Jerwin Ancajas IBF Super Flyweight Championship Fight

 

A purse bid procedure was held today in the IBF offices in New Jersey and promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing has won the right to promote the IBF Super Flyweight Champion McJoe Arroyo’s first mandatory defense, against Jerwin Ancajas
Sampson Boxing now has 15 days to submit the executed contracts (no later than February 17, 2016) and the fight must take place within 90 days or by May 2, 2016. Lewkowicz says Ancajas’ home country of the Philippines is the probable location for the fight.
Arroyo (17-0, 8 KOs), from Fajardo, Puerto Rico, is a 30-year-old southpaw. He won the championship last July with a 10-round technical decision over Arthur Villanueva. Ancajas (24-1-1, 16 KOs), nicknamed “Pretty Boy” is a 24-year-old southpaw.

Sampson Boxing Signs Promotional Agreement with Undefeated Featherweight Mario Munoz

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of undefeated featherweight Mario “Yayo” Munoz to a promotional contract.
25-year-old Munoz, from Guadalajara, Mexico, currently sports a record of 16-0-1, 10 KOs and has been a professional since 2011. He will make his promotional debut under the Sampson Boxing banner onFebruary 19 at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City when he takes on fellow unbeaten Adam Lopez (14-0, 7 KOs).
The fight against Lopez will be Munoz’s first outside Mexico. To prepare for this tough assignment, Munoz is working hard with trainer/manager Rafael Guzman and world-class Sampson Boxing stablemates Hugo “Cuatito” Ruiz (35-3, 31 KOs) and Jorge “Pilon” Lara (27-0-2, 19 KOs) in Guadalajara.
“I am proud to have a great promoter like Sampson helping me now,” said Munoz. “It will make me fight that much harder knowing I have the backing to become a world champion behind me. I will train to the top of my ability for February 19and for every fight I have with my new promoter. Together we will become world champion.”
“Sampson is my trusted friend and I feel this agreement will help Mario very much,” said Rafael Guzman. “Mario is very talented and determined and will go far in the sport. We needed the right promotional backing to take the next step and we now have it.”
“I am very happy to be adding another proud Mexican warrior to my stable of fighters,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “Along with Mario and Cuatito Ruiz and Pilon Lara I have the Red Flag, David Benavidez. Those are four very talented fighters and it makes me proud to be their promoter. Mario Munoz has a bright future in boxing if he keeps working as hard as he does and it’ll be a pleasure to help him with his career. It is my vision to continue to find new Mexican stars like him and welcome them to the Sampson Boxing family.”
About Sampson Boxing
After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.
Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

‘Kid Pacquiao’ Training in Cebu City, Waiting on U.S. Work Visa

Undefeated lightweight Jonel “Kid Pacquiao” Dapidran (6-0, 3 KOs) will continue to train in Cebu City, Philippines, while waiting on a work visa to the United States.
Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz is moving the entire camp from Las Vegas to Cebu City to work with the 17-year-old slugger, including top trainer Jun Agrabio.
“Agrabio is going there to help this kid get to the next level,” said Lewkowicz.
Lewkowicz says that Dapidran will have one or two fights in the Philippines while awaiting the proper visa.
“I want to keep him active so that when he makes his US debut he will be ready to put on a great show,” explained Lewkowicz.
ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.

Lewkowicz Signs Jonel ‘The Kid Pacquiao’ Dapidran, Second Cousin of Manny Pacquiao, to a Promotional Contract

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz, the man credited with discovering an unknown talent named Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines in 2000, proudly announces the signing of Pacquiao’s second cousin, Jonel “The Kid Pacquiao” Dapidran to a long-term promotional contract.
17-year-old Dapidran (6-0, 3 KOs) is an undefeated lightweight prospect from Digos City in the Philippines. Manny Pacquiao’s maternal grandfather and Junel’s father are brothers.
“A San Francisco attorney named Sydney Hall brought Manny Pacquiao to my attention 15 years ago,” said Lewkowicz. “None of the major promoters paid attention, but we saw what a talent he was. I was working as a matchmaker for (then promoter) Murad Muhammad, and I convinced him to sign Manny and bring him to America. Now, as a promoter, I am bringing his close family here for the first time and I strongly believe this young man will make a big statement in our sport.”
Dapidran is in good hands. As soon as his visa is finalized, he will live in Las Vegas, sharing a beautiful apartment with former multiple world champion and fellow Filipino, Jonriel Casimero. He will also share a trainer with Casimero and join the stable of trainer Jun Agrabio.
“Jonel has the talent to become a star. I see it in him like I did with his cousin. He is coming here to prove to everyone he is a Pacquiao for the new generation of boxing. I am very happy to be his promoter and will work hard to help him rise through boxing the right way.”

Lewkowicz Signs Ceferino Rodriguez to a Co-Promotional Contract

 

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of welterweight Ceferino “Ferino V” Rodriguez (19-1, 10 KOs) to a co-promotional agreement, along with former champion Sergio Martinez’s Maravilla Box Promotions.

 

26-year-old Rodriguez, from Las Palmas, Islas Canarias, Spain, will be trained by well-known Madrid-based trainer, Gabriel Sarmiento. The five-year pro has already won the Spanish Welterweight, European Union Welterweight, and WBC Latino Welterweight Championships.

 

Lewkowicz, who has previously worked with Spanish champions Kiko Martinez, Gabriel Campillo and Javier Castillejo, says Rodriguez will make a fine addition to his stable.

 

“Ceferino Rodriguez has the talent to become another great champion from Spain and I am happy he chose to let Sergio Martinez and I help guide his career,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “He will be training with one of the best in the sport in Gabriel Sarmiento, so everything is now in place for his career to explode.”

 

Rodriguez hasn’t ventured out of his homeland to fight often, a fact Lewkowicz says is about to change.

 

“He is at the international level as a fighter and I will be looking to make moves with him on the world stage,” said Lewkowicz of Rodriguez. “Sergio and I believe he has what it takes to become a champion.”
ABOUT SAMPSON BOXING

After a very successful run as a matchmaker and adviser, Sampson Lewkowicz switched over to the promotional side of professional boxing in January 2008.

Sampson Boxing has grown into one of the world’s most prestigious promotional firms, representing many of the world’s best fighters and most promising young contenders.

Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America and Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS. and several international networks.