Tej zaum 29, 2025– Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz proudly announces the signing of super featherweight prospect Oscar “La Bestia” Bonifacino, South America’s first openly gay male professional boxer.
Bonifacino (1-0, 1 KO), a 21-year-old from Maldonado on the Southern Coast of Uruguay, started boxing four years ago to escape the homophobic violence he was suffering and immediately began showing a talent for the sport.
“I had already been hurt a couple of times, and I was having problems on the street,” recalled Bonifacino. “Boxing was my way of channeling all my anger.”
Trained from the start by Coach Elizabeth Cabrera at Knockoutcentro Gym, Bonifacino is a counterpuncher with the ability to be explosive when needed. He made his successful professional debut last February with a second-round knockout over countryman Matias Agustin Gabrielli.
“Signing with Sampson was the best thing that could happen to me,” added Bonifacino. “Through my quest to be world champion, he can help my story reach all those who need it to be free and not judged. I fight for all those who at some point could not raise their voices and I will always be grateful to Sampson for giving me the opportunity.”
“I am very proud to be helping this young man fight for himself and for the bullied and oppressed people whose stories he knows only too well,” said Sampson Lewkowicz, known best for his ability to spot hidden fistic talent in uncommon places. “Oscar is a terrific role model for boxing with an incredible story of fighting your way out of hard times. I am proud to be his promoter.”
Bonifacino is currently in training camp in Montevideo, preparing for his next fight, on June 13, live on TyC Sports from Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of the WBA’s Annual KO Drugs Festival.
About Sampson BoxingSampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. Xav paub ntau ntxiv, sib ntsibsampsonboxing.com.
Sampson Boxing Signs Welterweight Nicklaus Flaz to a Promotional Contract
Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of streaking welterweight prospect Nicklaus “La Bestia” Flaz to a promotional contract.
Since suffering his second career defeat, a shock first-round knockout in October 2020, Flaz (12-2, 8 KOs), from Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, has gone on a tear, scoring three impressive upset victories; knocking out an established durable veteran and taking the undefeated 0 records from two promising up-and-comers along the way.
The 28-year-old Flaz started his remarkable winning streak by scoring a majority eight-round decision over then 13-0 Brian Ceballo in October 2022. Next came another eight-round majority decision over then 10-0 Jahi Tucker in July 2023. But Flaz really got the boxing world talking last Wednesday (Lub peb hlis ntuj 13) by becoming the first to knock out capable veteran Luke Santamaria in the co-main event of a globally streamed ProBoxTV event in Plant City, Florida.
Santamaria had previously beaten the likes of then 22-1 Mykal Fox, former world champion Devon Alexander and held the WBC Continental Americas Welterweight Championship with a victory over former world-title challenger Abel Ramos in February 2022.
Looking like a reborn version of himself, Flaz used his power and speed to drop Santamaria three times before getting the sixth-round stoppage. Flaz, who started boxing at age 16 and won 88 of his 95 amateur fights including two consecutive national titles, says he’s finally got everything he needs in place to become a serious player in the stacked 147-lb division.
“I feel great,” said Flaz of signing with Lewkowicz. “He was the promoter I wanted from the start of my career. He can take me to the next level and keep me as active as I need to be to be at my best.” Flaz adds that since losing by KO (to Janelson Bocachica), he has rededicated himself to training with head trainer David Oyola and assistant trainer/manager Belvin García in his native Puerto Rico and made tremendous gains in every aspect of his game.
The hard work was on full display against Santamaria, as Flaz dictated every aspect of the fight against a tough and well-respected veteran. “I don’t feel like boxing is a job,” said the confident Flaz. “It’s my passion and I love it. I’m ready to start climbing the rankings and get to the world championship and I have the team in place to do it.”
“Losing may have helped him,” said Lewkowicz of his latest signee Flaz. “He was over-confident, and it cost him. Now he doesn’t take anyone lightly and puts in the work it takes to become a champion. I am very happy to be part of his team and will be working hard to help him realize his boxing dreams.”
About Sampson BoxingSampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, ESPN+, DAZN, VS., FOX, Fox Sports and several international networks. Xav paub ntau ntxiv, sib ntsibsampsonboxing.com.
