Josh Taylor v Apinun Khongsong

[Nondescript]

Gotta love boxing, we're all getting excited about the prospect of a unification with Ramirez and it turns out he's defending against the BoxRec #95!

That's why I barely watch it anymore.

[Fightnight Scores]

This has to be up there as one of the most baffling mandatory defences of all time no?

[Autobarn]

What an absolute joke. Taylor could have a more difficult fight with somebody in his local gym. I agree he needs a routine fight before Ramirez/Postol but this is ridiculous. A complete money earner nothing more.
If the McGuigans had arranged this it would have caused an outrage.

He's mandatory so not much choice. IBF's rankings are pish poor.

Odd choice by the IBF

[Stuarty]

He's mandatory so not much choice. IBF's rankings are pish poor.

Odd choice by the IBF

They're a fuckin shambles mate. Dan and Bizier for Kell Brook were both mandatories.... Ocampo for same title against Spence

[Ruthless-RKO]

This has to be up there as one of the most baffling mandatory defences of all time no?

It’s IBF. Not baffling at all.

[Fightnight Scores]

They're a fuckin shambles mate. Dan and Bizier for Kell Brook were both mandatories.... Ocampo for same title against Spence

It’s IBF. Not baffling at all.

Fair points there gents

[THEBUTCH]

It there's one (loosely) positive thing about this match is that it clears the mandatory obligation, at least as far as the IBF are concerned. Other than that, it's very poor.

[Nightmare Roy]

He deserves an easy one IMO, then onto the big boys

[Stuarty]

He deserves an easy one IMO, then onto the big boys

When he wins i am heading out to slide tackle an Asian doorman

[Nightmare Roy]

He deserves an easy one IMO, then onto the big boys

When he wins i am heading out to slide tackle an Asian doorman

Be rude not to

[Stuarty]

When he wins i am heading out to slide tackle an Asian doorman

Be rude not to

[Twinkle Toes]

Quality fight this - Said no one ever

[brilo33]

iam assume it has to do with keeping taylor active while contact talks get sorted , but looking at it taylor ko in 3 rds not seconds but you never know , taylor is up there with everyone i doubt he fears anyone i cant see anyone beating him easy either

[Ruthless-RKO]

Sampson Lewkowicz’s Sampson Boxing has secured the rights to Taylor’s unified junior welterweight title defense versus Thailand’s Apinun Khongsong, outbidding Top Rank at Friday’s purse bid hearing at International Boxing Federation (IBF) headquarters in Springfield, New Jersey.

Sampson Boxing put up a massive bid of $1.32 million, just enough to edge out Top Rank’s offer of $1.26 million to gain control of the IBF-ordered mandatory title fight.

Taylor (16-0, 12KOs) will be entitled to 65% of the winning purse amount as the defending champion, which leads his side to split $858,000 for his second overall title defense and first as a unified titlist. Khongsong will collect the remaining 35% ($462,000) as the mandatory challenger.

Interestingly, Taylor’s signing came on the same day that Sampson Boxing inked Khongsong (16-0, 13KOs) to a promotional contract. A mere five days later came a request from Lewkowicz to order an immediate purse bid hearing—and another 10 days later, scoring an upset of sorts in the sanctioning body board room.

“It is what it is,” Carl Moretti, vice president of operations for Top Rank told BS.com of the purse bid outcome.

Boxing Scene

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is Sampson boxing affiliated with PBC?

[Stuarty]

Is Sampson boxing affiliated with PBC?

Never heard of him till today tbh?

[Ruthless-RKO]

Is Sampson boxing affiliated with PBC?

Never heard of him till today tbh?

Doesn’t he manage Benavidez? Similar name sounds familiar.

EDIT.

Just checked, he’s down as his promoter.

[KiwiRider]

From Sampson Boxing;
“I am honored to be promoting this fight between these two warriors and I want to make it clear I would not cheat UK fans of seeing this fight live,” said Lewkowicz. “It will be in Great Britain or Scotland. Please be patient, I will announce the full details very soon.”

Phew!

[KiwiRider]

I will be interested to see what Sampson Boxing come up with regarding the undercard. They have signed a couple of Dominican guys lately I wouldn't mind seeing

[3132DW]

I will be interested to see what Sampson Boxing come up with regarding the undercard. They have signed a couple of Dominican guys lately I wouldn't mind seeing

Will be interesting if the money or show ever happens - Taylor doesn’t sell that well to cover 1.5m straight off.

[JamieM]

Looks like josh taylor is training with adam booth seen hes with all their team tonight.

[Stuarty]

Looks like josh taylor is training with adam booth seen hes with all their team tonight.

Could be a good fit. Unless he does an Alex Arthur and doesn't listen to a thing anyone tells him

[Ruthless-RKO]

I will be interested to see what Sampson Boxing come up with regarding the undercard. They have signed a couple of Dominican guys lately I wouldn't mind seeing

Will be interesting if the money or show ever happens - Taylor doesn’t sell that well to cover 1.5m straight off.

He'll get some local lads on the card who can shift tickets.

I thought Taylor can shift tickets now?

Wonder who will even broadcast it in the UK.

He can't use Sky unless Eddie is involved, not sure if BT are exclusive with FW. I don't believe they ae TBH. I'm sure someone will want to pick it up.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz defaulted on his winning purse bid for the mandatory fight between unified junior welterweight titist Josh Taylor and mandatory challenger Apinun Khongsong, whom Lewkowicz co-promotes. Lewkowicz missed Friday's IBF deadline to put up a second payment of $132,000, as per terms of the purse bid he won for $1.32 million to beat new Taylor promoter Top Rank, which bid $1.26 million, Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN. Top Rank, as the underbidder, now takes over control of the bout.

Dan Rafael, ESPN Senior Writer

Wow that’s two fights now where Top Rank didn’t win the bid but eventually got there in the end.