Lossis Archives: Mauricio Sulaiman

WBC Grand Prix Phase 3: The Quarterfinals Recap and Results

Nyem qhovOS for Photos of Every Fight. Credit: WBC.

Nyem qhovOS for Results from Every Fight on the Grand Prix IG Page

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (Lub yim hli ntuj 13, 2025)  Phase 3: The Quarterfinals of theWBC Boxing Grand Prix delivered thrilling upsets and spectacular knockouts across nearly 9 hours of commercial free boxing on DAZN as the crowd at the Cool Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia saw 32 fighters from 15 different countries in four different weight classes attempted to stamp their ticket to the tournament semifinals.

“We saw a compilation of great talent from all over the world. The boxers that fought tonight will be local heroes when they come back home,” said WBC President and tournament organizerMauricio Sulaiman. “This is something that just keeps getting better. I can’t wait for the Semifinals in October, and then the Grand Finale in December.”

All 16 fighters who advanced will compete in October on a date to be determined.

Here is a recap of the night in Riyadh.

Fight of the Night: Middleweights Carlos Sinisterra (Colombia) 13-1 (10 KOs) KO Ephrem Bariko (France) 12-1 (6 KOs)

Bariko dominated the first two rounds and started the third with strong, precise combinations that were hitting the target. However, everything turned in an instant as the Colombian standout cornered Bariko and rained down blows that the Frenchman couldn’t withstand.

Sinisterra won by knockout will now face Canada’s Derek Pomerleau in a middleweight Semifinal clash that promises to be one of the best fights of the Grand Prix.

Pomerleau (14-0, 11 KOs) defeated Ukrainre’s Dmytro Rybalko with a devastating four punch combo that earned him the TKO win in round two and a spot in the Semis.

Upset of the Night: Featherweights Muhamet Qamili (Italy) 17-0 (7 KOs) vs Troy Nash (USA) 5-1 (1 KO)

The upset of the night was made possible by the WBC’s enhanced scoring system, which allows judges to gauge the decisiveness of each fighter’s performance in each round as a tiebreaker in the event of a draw. That was the case during the most anticipated fight of the night, which also delivered perhaps its most unexpected result in a battle between undefeated prospects.

The three judges scored the bout 58-56 in favor of Nash, 58-56 for Qamili and 57-57 respectively. In any other contest, the fight would have been declared a split draw. However, the enhanced scoring system revealed that two judges saw it 5-4 thiab 4-2 in favor of Qamili, who went down to his knees and hugged his team after having his hand raised.

              *For more information on the enhanced scoring system in place for the tournament, please visitthe following tutorial.

“Troy Nash is a future superstar. It was his fifth fight, and his opponent was very tough in a close fight. He will learn and come out better from it,” Sulaiman said after the fight.

Breakout of the Night: Heavyweight Kevin Ramírez (Argentina) (11-0-1, 4 KOs) UD over Piotr Lacz (Poland) (14-1-0, 10 KOs)

Argentina’s Kevin Ramirez, a natural cruiserweight fighting in the heavyweight division for this tournament, prevailed in a close enhanced scoring system decision over Poland’s Piotr Lacz, who outweighed him by 18 pounds after the official weigh-in on Tuesday.

Ramírez, who works as a trash collector to fund his boxing career, swept the judges off their feet with decisive rounds that showcased his effective combinations and an overall superior effectiveness in landing punches throughout the fight.

The Buenos Aires native will now face USA´s Dante Stone in what will be an even more daunting challenge in the semifinals. Stone weighed in at 257.9 pounds for his quarterfinal fight, while Ramírez did so at 204.

NOTES:

· USA went 1-3 during the quarterfinals. Stone was the only one who prevailed on the American side by unanimous decision over Morocco’s Youness Baalla.

· Mexico didn’t fare better with a 1-2 record as featherweight Brandon Mejia closed the night with a unanimous decision win over Ayubkhon Bakhtiyorov. Emiliano Aguillón lost to France’s Lancelot Proton de la Chappelle with an enhanced scoring system decision.

· The semifinals are set for October with 16 fighters, four in each weight class, left vying for a spot in the championship Finals. The October date is to be announced in the coming weeks. Visit theWBC´s official website for the latest updates.

FOR MORE INFORMATION on the WBC Boxing Grand Prix, please visithttps://www.wbcboxing.com

Canadian Cruiserweight Contender Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki Back in the gym, returning to ring October 25 in Nova Scotia

HAMILTON, Ontario, Canada (Lub Xya hli ntuj 23, 2025) World cruiserweight contender Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1-1, 19 KOs) has resumed training following a torn right bicep tendon sustained in April.

His promoter, Three Lions Promotions, has announced Rozicki will officially make his return to the ring on October 25th at home in Sydney, Nova Scotia. Rozicki will face South African Akani “Prime” Phuzi (14-3, 6 KOs) in the 10-round main event for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Continental Americas Cruiserweight Championship.

“We’re excited to bring Ryan Rozicki back home to Sydney, Nova Scotia, on October 25th for what promises to be an explosive matchup against South Africa’s Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi,” commented Daniel Otter, Managing Director of Three Lions Promotions. “This could very well be Ryan’s final fight in Cape Breton as he resumes his world title pursuit abroad, making it a special opportunity for local fans to witness him live.

Tickets are on sale this Friday (Lub Xya hli ntuj 25) tom 10 a.m. ET through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.ca) and the Centre 200 website (www.centre200.ca). We’re expecting a packed house.”

Canadian Super Middleweight Champion John Michael ‘JM’ Bianco (9-1, 4 KOs) will also be fighting on the Oct. 25th card versus an opponent to be determined. Undefeated Mexican native Meilyn Sanchez (3-0, 1 KO), now fighting out of Canada, will take on Costa Rican super bantamweight Silvia Duan (4-3, 3 KOs) in a 6-round bout, while Canadian middleweight Brett Beaton (6-3, 4 KOs) will be showcased against an opponent to be determined. Full card details will be announced shortly.

“I have trained my whole life for an opportunity like this,” Phuzi said. “I am coming to spoil Rozicki’s plan, take his ranking, and fight for the world title.”
Back on May 3rd, as the mandatory challenger, the hard-luck Canadian boxer had been scheduled to face World Boxing Council (WBC) Cruiserweight World Champion BadouThe RipperJack in Saudi Arabia. Unfortunately, the aforementioned injury forced him to withdraw from his third ordered world title fight. The 30-year-old native of Nova Scotia has since undergone successful surgery, and he plans to secure his long-awaited world title shot in 2026. third-ordered
“I was sparring for my fight with Jack,” Rozicki remembered. “I threw a right to the body and my tendon snapped. I certainly wasn’t expecting that, but I knew it when I heard it pop. I didn’t see it (damaged bicep) until I looked down and saw my bicep pulled up to my shoulder. At first, I was distraught, but after some time I believed everything happens for a reason and that will show in the near future. There have been some difficult moments. I just went back to the gym for the first time (since he suffered his injury) since it happened. I just keep thinking about the future and what’s coming.

After this layoff, I just want to get back in the ring, win this belt (WBC Continental Americas) in October and then, of course, fight for the world title.”

Rozicki earned his WBC No. 1 challenger position during the past two years but faced setbacks with two canceled title fights against Noel Mikaelyan. His injury cost him the world title fight with Jack on May 3lawm, he was replaced by Mikaelyan, who then lost a disputed decision. Mikaelyan’s petition for an immediate rematch was granted, and negotiations are ongoing.

Rozicki, of course, is due for a positive break after so many disappointing setbacks during his 9-year professional boxing career. He was just elevated to the No. 4 position in Ring Magazine’s independent world cruiserweight ratings, ahead of Jack, Mikaelyan, and Peralta.

Otter is confident in the process, as well as his fighter, in terms of becoming the first Canadian-born World Cruiserweight Champion. “We would also like to extend our sincere thanks to His Excellency Turki Alalshikh for his ongoing support, reflected in Ryan’s recognition by Ring Magazine,” Otter concluded. “Our appreciation also goes to WBC President Maurico Sulaiman thiab Alberto Leon of the WBC for sanctioning this bout. “While this may not be the title fight we originally had in mind at the start of the year, it’s the perfect comeback bout for Rozicki following his injury. His opponent is no slouch, and this will be a real test that fans won’t want to miss.”

Rozicki is preparing to take care of business on Oct. 25 to continue his championship dream. “I’m going to get that WBC World title belt,” Rozicki exclaimed.

INFORMATION:

Website: www.threelionspromotions.com
Facebook: /ThreeLionsPromotions /RyanRozickiBoxing
Instagram: @3LionsPromotions @Ryan_RozickiX: @RRozicki
LinkedIN: @DanielOtter

Unified Welterweight Champion Keith Thurman Relinquishes WBC title Due to Injury Rehabilitation

Will Remain WBA Champion and Fight for

WBC Crown Once He Has Fully Recovered

CLEARWATER, FLORIDA (Tim 24, 2018) Unified welterweight champion Keith Thurman has voluntarily relinquished his WBC title while he recovers from the effects of elbow surgery last year and a hand injury he suffered in training camp last month.

 

 

 

After speaking with WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman recently, Thurman decided that he would relinquish the title and open the way for former champions Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter, the two leading contenders for the WBC title, to fight each other for the championship while Thurman made a full recovery from his injuries.

 

 

 

Due to my rehabilitation from my injuries, I agreed to relinquish my WBC title at this time. I continue to rehab my hand and elbow and I look forward to getting back in the ring this summer. This is a temporary setback and I will be the unified champion once again and look forward to winning back my WBC title as soon as possible,” said Thurman.

 

 

 

Keith Thurman unfortunately has suffered two consecutive injuries that have kept him out of the ring after his sensational victory over Danny Garcia and he has graciously relinquished his title, and the WBC has mandated that Danny Garcia and Shawn Porter will fight for the title,” said Mauricio Sulaiman. “Keith will have a direct path to fight for the title once he has healed just as Vitali Klitshcko and other WBC champions have done in the past. Keith is a tremendous athlete, champion and role model. The WBC will support him completely during this difficult time. ”

 

 

 

Garcia (34-1, 20 KOs), a former unified champion at 140 pounds and the former WBC welterweight champion, lost the WBC title to Thurman by 12-round split decision in 2017. He bounced back with a knockout victory over former champion Brandon Rios in February. The WBC had made that fight a title elimination match, which put Garcia in line to fight Thurman again for the title.

 

 

 

Porter (28-2-1, 17 KOs), a former welterweight champion, lost a close 12-round decision to Thurman in 2016. He became the mandatory challenger for the WBC title when he knocked out Andre Berto last year. He maintained his status with a 12-round decision over Adrian Granados in November.

 

 

 

The 29-year-old Thurman (28-0, 22 KOs) has been plagued by a string of injuries the last two years.

 

 

 

Thurman injured his neck in a car accident in February 2016, which delayed his match against Porter by three months. When they met Thurman defeated Porter by unanimous decision on June 25.

 

 

 

He defeated Garcia by split decision in a welterweight unification match on March 4, 2017. A month later he had major surgery on his right elbow to remove bone spurs and calcium deposits. He is still in rehabilitation from that surgery.

 

 

 

Thurman injured his hand hitting the heavy bag last month and aggravated the injury sparring with some amateurs at his gym in St. Petersburg, Florida. An MRI revealed bruises to the metacarpal bones in the hand, which also has extensive swelling. Thurman can’t have any impact with the hand for at least 8 weeks, which added another delay to his ring return.

 

 

 

He now hopes to return to the ring in the late summer or early fall.

Sampson Boxing to Donate Proceeds of Upcoming Fight to Earthquake Victims in Mexico

Donation to be Matched X5 by World-Famous Philanthropist Carlos Slim’s Foundation
LAS VEGAS (September 21, 2017) – Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz is proud to announce he will be donating $1 from every ticket sold to his upcoming event in Las Vegas to help victims of the recent Mexico City Earthquake.
The donated funds, to be distributed by Mauricio Sulaiman of the World Boxing Council, will be matched X5 by world-renowned philanthropist and Mexican business man Carlos Slim’s Foundation.
Daim pib, starting at $29, are available by visiting www.ticketmaster.com or calling 800-745-3000.
Lewkowicz and Sampson Boxing, in association with Pochiro Boxing and the Cannery Hotel & Casino in North Las Vegas, are presenting aCuba vs. Mexico” installment of Premier Boxing Champions TOE-TO-TOE TUESDAYS on FS1 and BOXEO DE CAMPEONES on FOX Deportes on Hnub, September 26.
Televised live on FS1 and FOX Deportes beginning at 9 p.m. LI/6 p.m. PT, in the night’s 10-round featherweight main event, undefeated Leduan Barthelemy(13-0, 7 KOs) takes on also undefeated Eduardo Ramirez (20-0-2, 7 KOs). In the other televised bouts, hard-hitting prospect Alejandro Salinas (8-1, 8 KOs) matching up against unbeaten Duarn Vue (12-0, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super featherweight attraction plus a six-round showdown between unbeaten lightweight prospects Bryan Figueroa (12-0, 5 KOs) thiab Ivan Jimenez (7-0-1, 4 KOs).
Tuesday’s 7.1 magnitude quake killed at least 230 people in total, including at least 21 children and five adults at a primary school which collapsed in Mexico City.
Carlos Slim is one of the worlds most important philanthropists. He owns stock in more than 200 companies that employ more than 200,000 people in Latin America and beyond. He has used his resources to help develop the communities where his businesses are located. In his own country, Mexico, he has personally supported more than 165,000 young people in attending university, paid for numerous surgeries, provided equipment for rural schools and covered surety bonds for 50,000 people who were entitled to their freedom but could not afford. He recently created the Carso Institute for Health, and designed it to provide a new approach to health care in Mexico. He has four billion dollars of investments ready to promote education, health and other great challenges, and has recently announced an additional six-billion-dollar investment in several programs, including his Telmex Foundation.
Newly crowned WBC Super Middleweight Champion David Benavidez will be at the fight to support this endeavor and be part of the PBC broadcast team, together with announcer Ray Flores and former world champion RobertThe GhostGuerrero.
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Fans can live stream the fights on FOX Sports GO, available in English or Spanish through the FS1 or FOX Deportes feeds. The fights are available on desktop at FOXSportsGO.com and through the app store, or connected devices including Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, Xbox One and Roku. tsis tas li ntawd, all programs are also available on FOX Sports on SiriusXM channel 83 on satellite radios and on the SiriusXM app.
Ua raws li ntawm Twitter @PremierBoxing, @FS1, @FOXDeportes and @Swanson_Comm and become a fan on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/PremierBoxingChampions, thiab www.facebook.com/foxdeportes. Highlights available at www.youtube.com/premierboxingchampions.PBC on FS1 & FOX Deportes is sponsored by Corona Extra, La Cerveza Mas Fina.

Melson to meet with WBC at Convention in San Francisco!

 

New York, NY (Lub Xya hli ntuj 1, 2015) – WBC-USNBC junior middleweight champion Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson has been personally invited by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman to their NABF convention this weekend in San Francisco, CA.

 

A close friend and supporter of the WBC Cares Program long before capturing their title with a win over Mike Ruiz in May, Melson’s garnered attention throughout the boxing world for donating 100% of his purses to Team Fight to Walk in support of America’s first clinical trial to cure Chronic Spinal Cord Injuries.

 

While in the Golden Gate City, Melson will spend time with Sulaiman to discuss becoming an ambassador for the WBC’s Youth Amateur Program. In his potential role as an ambassador, Melson’s focus would be on amateur boxing in the military. Prior to turning pro, the 2003 West Point graduate captured the World Military Championship and defeated many fighters that became top pros such as Keith Thurman, Charles Hatley and DeAndre Latimore.

 

Between his humanitarian efforts, success in the ring and educational background, Melson believes he can be of great assistance to the WBC’s initiative and is excited to learn more.

 

“It’s an honor that the WBC has personally invited me to their NABF Convention in San Francisco,” said Melson. “All of the great fighters have honed the green belt and the fact that I am one of their titlists itself is a dream come true. I’d like to thank Jill Diamond for going above and beyond to help Team Fight to Walk. Mr. Sulaiman has a great heart and I know he really cares about our Veterans. I’m willing to do whatever it takes to help grow their emphasis on amateur boxing in the military.”

Sampson Boxing/WBC Announce ‘Jose Sulaiman CupSuper Welterweight Tournament to Honor Jose Sulaiman

Sampson Logo

Today, Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing, in conjunction with the World Boxing Council (WBC) and its President, Mauricio Sulaiman, proudly announcedThe Jose Sulaiman Cup: WBC Super Welterweight Tournament.

 

An eight-man, single-elimination tournament featuring top super welterweight contenders from eight different countries and three continents, “The Jose Sulaiman Cupis being held to honor the late WBC President, Jose Sulaiman.

 

The tournament will begin with two brackets of four fighters each. In bracket one will be WBC #8 John Jackson (19-2, 15 KOs) of the US Virgin Islands facing WBC #13 Dennis Laurente (49-5, 30 KOs) of The Philippines, and Cuba’s Yudel Jhonson (16-1, 9 KOs) taking on Mexico’s Jorge Cota (24-1, 22 KOs).

 

In the second bracket, WBC #5 Sergey Rabchenko (25-1, 18 KOs) will fight Argentina’s WBC #10 Luciano Cuello (35-3, 17 KOs), and the USA’s Domonique Dolton (15-0, 8 KOs) will face Poland’s Lukasz Maciec (22-2-1, 5 KOs).

 

The winners of these fights will then face each other in a semi-final and then those two winners will fight, for the right to have their name engraved on the inaugural Jose Sulaiman Cup.

 

Opening-round tournament participants will receive $50,000 each for their participation. Making it to round two will earn each fighter $100,000 and a trip to the finals will bring a purse of $200,000 to both participants. Making the finals will earn both fighters $350,000 in one year.

 

Every tournament match will be conducted under rules of the WBC, in conjunction with the local boxing commission. The first phase will be held in April/May and the fights will be scheduled for 10 muab suav txhua. The semifinals will be held in September 2015 and scheduled for 12 rounds and the final in February 2016, also over 12 muab suav.

 

This is a project that is near and dear to my heart,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “It was first the idea of the great Jose Sulaiman and had to be postponed when his health began to fail. And so I am honored to be working with Mauricio and the WBC to bring his father’s vision to life and honor him by doing so.

 

Dates and venues forThe Jose Sulaiman Cup: WBC Super Welterweight Tournamentwill be announced shortly.

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.