Tag Archives: Sampson Boxing

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Sampson Boxing Signs Welterweight Nicklaus Flaz to a Promotional Contract

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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 (March 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 Boxing Sampson 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. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.
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Sampson Boxing Signs The Cuban Menace, Pablo Vicente, to a Promotional Contract

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Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of power-punching Cuban super featherweight Pablo “The Cuban Menace” Vicente to an exclusive promotional contract.


Vicente, currently residing in Panama City, Panama, but originally hailing from Havana, Cuba, is currently ranked #10 in the world by the WBC. A former decorated amateur on the vaunted Cuban National Team, Vicente (17-1, 15 KOs) turned professional in 2016 and has gone on to stop all but three of his professional opponents.


The 28-year-old will make his Sampson Boxing debut on Friday, October 29, at the Centro de Convenciones Vasco Nunez de Balboa, Bella Vista, in his adopted home of Panama City in a 10-round showdown against Argentina’s Javier Herrera (17-4-1, 8 KOs) for the WBC Continental Americas Super Featherweight Championship.


“I am very happy to have gained a promoter who can properly move my career in Sampson,” said Vicente. “Our plan is to begin fighting in the US and start climbing up the ladder to a world championship. I am going to train like never before because I know I have been given the opportunity of a lifetime to reach all my dreams as a fighter.”


Lewkowicz, boxing’s premier talent scout, says Vicente will make a great addition to his ever-growing stable of contenders, prospects and champions.


“The Cuban Menace will be a world champion,” said Lewkowicz. “He is a very strong fighter with excellent power in his combinations and the skill level you would expect from an elite fighter. We will continue his development and move him into the fights he needs to become another great champion from the Island of Cuba.”







About Sampson Boxing
 
Sampson 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. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.
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Sampson Boxing Signs a Pair of Undefeated Dominican Prospects, Edwin De Los Santos and Luis Reynaldo Nunez, to Promotional Contracts

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Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of a pair of undefeated 21-year-old Dominican prospects, super featherweight Edwin De Los Santos and super bantamweight Luis Reynaldo Nunez to promotional agreements.


A crow-pleasing puncher with tremendous will, the southpaw De los Santos (9-0, 8 KOs), from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, started boxing at the age of eight and went on to win numerous national amateur championships in his boxing-rich homeland. At age 14, he joined the Dominican’s prestigious National Boxing Team and, at 18, made the move to professional ranks. De Los Santos has already captured the WBA Fedecaribe and WBC Latino Super Featherweight Championships in his young career.


“It motivated me seeing how so many other great Dominican fighters have reached places they never dreamed of under the guidance of Sampson Boxing,” said De Los Santos of the signing. I am committed to bringing another world championship home to my country, defending it with pride and courage as many times as possible and improving the economic situation of my family.”


Also a decorated amateur in the Dominican, Puerto Plata’s Luis Reynaldo Nunez started boxing at age six and went on to win a number of national and international championships all over the world as a member of the elite Dominican national team. A fan-friendly pressure fighter with heavy hands, Nunez turned professional at 18 under the guidance of manger Antonio Tineo and trainer Vicente De La Cruz, best known as the trainer of former unified world champion Jeison (el Banana) Rosario. Nunez won the Dominican Republic Super Bantamweight Championship in 2019 and has successfully defended it once. He added the WBA Fedelatin Super Bantamweight Title in December of last year with a fourth-round stoppage of Nicaragua’s Giovanni Gutierrez. Gutierrez had previously gone the 10-round distance with top contender Mike Plania.


“I am grateful to Mr. Antonio Tineo, who is like a father to me. I’m also excited to work with Sampson Boxing and all the opportunities he wins for his fighters. I will be a proud world champion from the Dominican Republic. I also want to improve the economic situation of my family (grandparents and parents) who have given everything to me without asking for anything in return.”


A staunch advocate of Dominican boxing, Lewkowicz has expertly guided the careers of esteemed Dominican champions Jeison “Banana” Rosario, Javer “El Abejón” Fortuna, Jonathan Guzman, Dahiana Santana and Katy Wilson Castillo. He was introduced to Tineo through his long-time Dominican talent scout Cesar “Manguita” Mercedes.


Lewkowicz says he’s looking forward to working with the two young talents and to partnering with Tineo on several more promising fighters in the future.


“I have always supported Dominican boxers and have helped several of them become world champions,” said Lewkowicz. “I thank Cesar Mercedes for introducing me to Mr. Tineo and I look forward to helping establish several more Dominican champions during our work together. Both Nunez and De Los Santos are elite-level fighters who will be contenders in their divisions in the near future.”







About Sampson Boxing
 
Sampson 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. For more information, visitsampsonboxing.com.
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KOROBOV CAMP DEMANDS INVESTIGATION

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To view the letter and attached evidentiary exhibits, click HERE.


The team representing WBC #14-rated middleweight Matvey Korobov have sent a letter to the Attorney General and Governor of Virginia, requesting they open an investigation into Korobov’s controversial majority draw last Saturday (May 11) against Virginia-based fighter Immanuwel Aleem and several relevant “surrounding incidents.”




Leon Margules, attorney for Team Korobov, sent the letter on behalf of the fighter, along with several supporting pieces of evidence, to Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring and Governor Ralph Northam.


In it, Margules points out what he alleges is a conflict of interest in that the two Virginia-based judges, Mark D’Attilio and Brian Costello who both questionably ruled the bout a draw at 95-95, are members of the state’s Boxing, Martial Arts, and Professional Wrestling Advisory Board responsible for selecting each fight’s judges and licensing fighters.


Costello, in fact, is the Board’s Chairperson.


And thus, two members of the body responsible for appointing a fight’s judges appointed themselves and a relatively inexperienced referee (Michelle Myers) from Virginia to officiate a nationally televised bout featuring a fighter from their home state, against Korobov, a Russian living in Florida.


It then questions why, of the three televised fights, this was the only one carried out like this, with non-neutral officials.


The letter also references the original scorecard provided to media, that showed Korobov as a majority decision winner, as well as the same scorecard 20 minutes later, with D’Attilio’s round 10 Korobov score scratched out and changed from a 10 to a 9, transforming the outcome to a majority draw.


A further point of contention is the judging performance of the two Virginia-based judges, who scored the fight a draw when a Korobov victory was almost universally agreed upon by the boxing media and fans, post-fight.


To most, Korobov appeared to win the first seven rounds handily and hurt Aleem badly in round six before Aleem mounted a minor comeback in the last two or three rounds. At the final bell, Korobov enjoyed a sizeable advantage in landed punches (according to CompuBox statistics, Korobov landed 154 punches out of 417 thrown (37%), while Aleem landed 119 shots out of 630 [19%]).


Respected boxing official and unofficial judge for the contest, Larry Hazard Sr., scored the fight 97-92.


A long list of fans on social media voicing suspected corruption is also attached.


Margules’ letter also points out what many consider a missed knockdown by Referee Myers in round four, when Korobov sent Aleem down with a counter right hand only to have her rule it a foul incorrectly.


Team Korobov say they are hoping the state will find a solution for this unfortunate situation to prevent another black eye for boxing and a “chilling effect” on fighters coming to fight in Virginia. 


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About Sampson Boxing
 
Sampson Boxing has promotional partners all over North and South America, Africa, Asia, New Zelaland, Australia, Europe and Central America. Sampson Boxing events have been televised on such premiere networks as HBO, Showtime, ESPN, VS., FOX and several international networks. For more information, visit sampsonboxing.com.
Bare Knuckle Boxing, Bellator, boxing, FNU Combat Sports Show, mixed martial arts, MMA, Rich Bergeron, Tom Padgett, Tony Penecale, UFC, UK Boxing

Maia vs. Usman Recap, New ESPN Deal, Boxing Promotional Battles are topics of discussion on this week’s FNU Combat Sports Show

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This week on the FNU Combat Sports Show, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss a wide variety of topics. We start out with the ESPN/UFC broadcast rights deal for five years, 30 fight cards and $1.5 billion. We also discuss the infighting among boxing promoters lately with both Bob Arum and UK upstart Eddie Hearn scrambling to sign free agents while trying to fill slots for slated shows in the United States over the coming year. We go on to recap last week’s combat sports action, highlighting the Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack majority draw and the Usman vs Maia 5-round snoozefest headlining last Saturday night’s UFC Fight Night card. We of course also preview this weekend’s boxing matches and the UFC and Bellator cards coming out of England. We even touch on the regulation of bareknuckle boxing and Bobby Gunn’s claim of no fatalities recorded in the sport. Finally, we wrap up with  a reminder of what this weekend is all about: saluting our servicemen and women.  Listen to the whole show at the link below:

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/v8zi5h9j4j7t07e/tonytomandrichmay262018.mp3?dl=0

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Sampson Boxing Inks Promotional Deal with Panamanian Rising Star Jose ‘El Magnifico’ Nunez

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Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of undefeated Panamanian lightweight Jose “El Magnífico” Nunez. 
 
19-year-old Nunez is considered one of the most exciting Panamanian prospects to watch.  He was awarded the title of “Prospect of the year 2017” by his homeland’s press and the Panamanian Boxing Commission.
 
Originally from Curundu Panama, Nunez started fighting at the early age of 10, holds an undefeated record of 5-0 as a professional.
 
“I am very grateful that Mr. Sampson is going to promote my career as a professional fighter. Now is my turn to demonstrate him and everybody else that I came to this sport to be the best and beat the best,” said Nunez. 
 
Manager and trainer José Murillo says he’s also happy with his young fighter’s new deal.
 
“We are well aware of who Mr. Lewkowicz is and what he is able to accomplish for Nunez and we can´t be more confident that he is in the best hands possible.  What Sampson promises, Sampson delivers. We have full confidence that we have taken the right decision signing this deal.”
 
“It is a great honor to work with another Panamanian, as I did with ex world champions Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno and Roberto “La Arana” Vasquez,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “I am confident that Jose will become another world champion of their quality.”
 
Nunez is scheduled to appear in his first international fight on February 9, in Santa Fe, Argentina, against Lucio Alberto Ayala from Buenos Aires. The fight is being promoted by Sampson Boxing, Tello-Box and JEB Boxing and will be televised trough TyC Sports and VTV Uruguay.
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MELIAN DEMOLISHES SANTILLAN IN ‘LOMACHENKO STYLE’ PRO DEBUT; NOW WANTS ARGENTINE NATIONAL TITLE 

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Last Saturday night, two-time Argentinean Olympian Alberto “Impact” Melian turned professional the “Lomachenko way” by knocking out the former world title challenger Diego Ricardo Santillan in the fifth round.
Fighting in front of a sold out F.A.B. Stadium in his hometown of Buenos Aires, Melian hit Santillan (now 23-3, 15 KOs) with a sizzling right hand that dropped him for the 10 count.
Promoted by Sampson Boxing, in association with Tello Box and JEB Boxing and with the sponsorship of Abitab and Asociación Atlética Argentinos Juniors, “Night Of High Impact” and was broadcast live by TyC Sports for all of Latin America and a large part of the United States.
Next up, the Argentinean super bantamweight phenom will face Julián “Chispita” Aristule for the Argentinean championship.
“Alberto is the newest star in boxing,” said promoter Sampson Lewkowicz. “He is the Argentine Lomachenko. In his first fight, he knocked out a world title challenger and will be world champion by next year.”
On the same fight card, the Buenos Aires native Tomás “The Cobra” Reynoso won by disqualification in the fifth round to Sebastian “The Promise” Papeschi and snatched the super middleweight WBC Latin title.
The referee Rodolfo Stella punished Papeschi after his repeated dangerous use of the head, a situation that had already earned him a one point discount in the second episode.
Reynoso (12-2-1, 3 KOs) gets the belt and he broke the unbeaten record of “The Promise”, who has now a pro record of 12-1, with 6 KOs.
In an international special attraction, the undefeated Californian Sebastian “The Infernal Tower” Fundora (8-0, 4 KOs) won by points in unanimous decision after six rounds to the local idol David Ezequiel “Horseshoe” Romero (11-7-1, 5 KOs). Fundora is getting famous for his extraordinary size of 1.98 m. which makes him the tallest super welterweight boxer in the history of his weight class.
In another six-rounder, the Dominican middleweight, Felix “Jay Jay” Vargas (7-2, 2 KOs) won in split decision to the now former unbeaten Julián Isaias “The Diamond” Gómez (3-1, 3 KOs) from Buenos Aires.
In addition, the former national Argentina amateur team member, the undefeated light flyweight Anyelén “La Peke” Espinosa (5-0) won by unanimous decision after six rounds to María Laura Cano (1-3).

And in a four-rounder, Federico Rodríguez (1-0) makes his pro debut with a victory by points in split decision over Matías Díaz (2-4).
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SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPION DAVID BENAVIDEZ RENEWS PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT WITH SAMPSON BOXING

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Sampson Lewkowicz proudly announces that budding superstar, and WBC World Super Middleweight Champion, David “El Bandera Roja / Red Flag” Benavidez has renewed his exclusive Sampson Boxing promotional agreement.
20-year-old Benavidez (19-0, 17 KOs), became the youngest super middleweight world champion in boxing history by winning a split decision over Romania’s Ronald Gavril last September. The Phoenix-based slugger says he’s happy to continue his promotional relationship with Lewkowicz.
“Sampson is a great promoter and he’s done a lot for me,” said Benavidez. “He’s always treated me and my team with respect and I was eager to re-sign with him. I can’t wait to defend my title against the best and become the great fighter I am with Sampson on my team.”
Father, co-manager and trainer Jose Benavidez says signing with Sampson was an easy decision for Team Benavidez.
“We are all really happy and excited,” he said. “We started with Sampson and he’s done a tremendous job. We are super satisfied with what he’s done and where we are at. We didn’t even think twice about it. I think when this contract ends, we’ll sign another one with him.”
Co-manager David Garcia says continuing with Sampson Boxing means more big fights are on the horizon for the young champion.
“Sampson has been good to work with and David became a world championwithin two years of signing with him, so we’re very excited to be able to continue that. Davis is a phenomenal talent. He is eager to take on the best in the division and then move up or down in weight and continue to dominate other champions.”

“I’m very proud to continue working with this wonderful team,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “David, Jose Sr. and David Garcia are always gentlemen and very easy to work with. David has a long, distinguished career ahead of him and it’s an honor to be a part of his rise to the top of boxing.”
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Sampson Boxing to Donate Proceeds from Second Event in One Week to Victims of Mexico Earthquake

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This Saturday, September 30, Sampson Boxing, Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino, TyC Sports and Holmes Boxing proudly present “Mexico vs. Argentina: Countries Collide,” a night of world-class professional boxing from the Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
And once again, Sampson Boxing President, Sampson Lewkowicz, with his partner, Pat Holmes of Holmes Boxing, will be donating $1 from every one of the 1500 tickets to the already sold-out show to victims of the recent Mexico City Earthquake. The donated funds, to be distributed by Mauricio Sulaiman of the World Boxing Council, will once again be matched X5 by world-renowned philanthropist and Mexican businessman Carlos Slim’s Foundation.
“Mexico vs. Argentina: Countries Collide” will be televised around the world by TyC Sports and headlined by a 10-round battle for the WBC Latino Welterweight Championship between Baja California, Mexico’s Juan Garcia “Tortas” Mendez (19-2-2, 12 KOs) and Buenos Aires, Argentina’s Juan Jose “The Pitbull” Velasco (19-0, 9 KOs).
Last Tuesday night in Las Vegas, Lewkowicz’s “Cuba vs. Mexico” event was able to raise close to $7000 for Mexico City and this event is projected to contribute another $9000 between ticket proceeds and Carlos Slim Foundation’s welcome assistance.
“I am very proud to be able to help the victims of this terrible disaster in Mexico City,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “I want to thank my wonderful partners in New Mexico, Brandon Holmes and Pat Holmes Jr., from Holmes Boxing, for agreeing to do this with me. They are a class act and great people to work with. The fights in New Mexico are sold out and this is looking to be a sensational competition between some of the two countries’ best fighters.”
“Holmes Boxing is happy to be helping to put on this fantastic event and the fact that it is going to a great cause makes it that much better,” said Pat Holmes. “We have an evening of great fights for the fans in Santa Fe and around the world to enjoy. The sellout before the first bell says what a great night it’s going to be. Countries collide in the ring Saturday night, but countries also come together to help one another.”

On Saturday night, doors open at 5 pm MT and the first fight is at 6 pm MT/8 pm ET. The Buffalo Thunder Resort & Casino is located at 20 Buffalo Thunder Trail, in Santa Fe, NM.
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SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS UNDEFEATED LIGHTWEIGHT BRYAN FIGUEROA TO A PROMOTIONAL CONTRACT

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Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of explosive Mexican lightweight Bryan “The Kid” Figueroa to a promotional contract.

Before turning professional in 2014, undefeated Figueroa (12-0, 5 KOs) had an accomplished amateur career in his hometown of Tijuana, Mexico. A highly skilled boxer with matinee-idol good looks, Figueroa is trained by Coach Joe Vargas at The Arena Gym in San Diego, California and managed by Gregorio Ambriz.
He joins an ever-growing stable of Sampson Boxing Mexican and Hispanic fighters that includes boxing’s hottest fighter, super middleweight top contender David Benavidez, former WBC World Super Bantamweight Champion Hugo Ruiz, top super featherweight contender Jorge Lara, former multiple-time world champion Javier Fortuna, and WBC Latino welterweight Champion Cesar Miguel Barrionuevo.
“I am honored by this opportunity to join the Sampson Boxing stable,” said Bryan Figueroa. “It is my dream to be world champion and he is the promoter who can get me there. We have seen what he’s done for other fighters like David Benavidez and this is the right move for me. I will work very hard to become another of his champions.”
Promoter Lewkowicz says he has high hopes for Figueroa.
“Bryan is a good-looking fighter with world-class skills. He can make a big splash in the lightweight division with his star potential. I am happy he and manager Gregorio Ambriz have chosen to work with me and my company. I look forward to plotting out his road to the title.”