Kudratillo Abdukakhorov Signs with Sampson Boxing

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Press Release

Sampson Boxing has announced the signing of undefeated IBF #1, WBO #13 welterweight contender Kudratillo “The Punisher” Abdukakhorov to an exclusive, multi-year promotional contract.

Originally from Uzbekistan, but currently training at the Elite Pro Boxing Gym in Santa Fe Springs, California, under trainer Armando Valenzuela, Abdukakhorov (17-0, 9 KOs) has already held the WBC Silver welterweight Championship and is now the IBF mandatory for unified champion Errol Spence Jr.

Abdukakhorov was a four-time national Uzbekistani champion as an amateur, finishing with an impressive record of 170-10. The 27-year-old was originally signed with Bob Arum’s Top Rank and had his first two fights in the US under their banner. In March 2019, he took a unanimous decision over former world title challenger Keita Obara. And then in October 2019, Abdukakhorov became the IBF’s #1 by winning a clear-cut 10-round technical decision over former world champion Luis Collazo.

Abdukakhorov was scheduled to face Russia’s Sergey Lipinets for the interim world championship last year, but the fight never materialized because of visa difficulties and the ongoing pandemic. Citing diverging business concerns, Abdukakhorov and Top Rank amicably parted ways recently.

“I’m every excited to sign with Sampson Lewkowicz and Sampson Boxing,” said Abdukakhorov. “I’ve been the mandatory for Errol Spence for the past 19 months. I want to fight the best and working with Sampson and the PBC, I will get the shots I’ve been waiting for.”

Abdukakhorov’s Malaysia-based manager, Vikram Swapragasam, says the move to Sampson will open new doors for his young fighter.

“Sampson can provide us more opportunities to have more fights and work with the PBC,” he said. “That’s where all the welterweight champs are. I’ve known Sampson for years and he has a great reputation. He keeps his word.”

Lewkowicz says the plan is to give Abdukakhorov one keep-busy fight around March and, after that, face Spence or fight for the interim championship if Spence declines the bout.

“There will be many opportunities for this future champion from Uzbekistan,” said Lewkowicz. “His manager, Vikram, and I share the vision to let him shake of the rust for one fight and then we will be looking to finally put him in his dream fight. A shot at a world championship. He’s a very skilled and strong fighter with the potential to become a star in one of boxing’s deepest divisions.”

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I hope he still fights Lipinets..

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Abdukakhorov-Flores On Benavidez-Ellis Showtime Undercard, March 13

Kudratillo Abdukakhorov’s prolonged pursuit of a welterweight title shot will resume March 13.

Boxing Scene has learned that Abdukakhorov will face Javier Flores that night in a 10-round fight Showtime will televise from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Uzbekistan’s Abdukakhorov (17-0, 9 KOs) and Puerto Rico’s Flores (15-2, 13 KOs, 1 NC) will meet on an undercard that’ll feature former WBC super middleweight champ David Benavidez (23-0, 20 KOs) in the main event versus Ronald Ellis (18-1-2, 12 KOs, 1 NC).

The 27-year-old Abdukakhorov will fight next month for the first time since he defeated former WBA champ Luis Collazo (39-8, 20 KOs) by 10th-round technical decision in October 2019 at Temple University’s Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. Abdukakhorov, who is ranked number one by the IBF in the 147-pound division, became the mandatory challenger for Errol Spence Jr.’s IBF welterweight title by beating Collazo.

Abdukakhorov was scheduled to square off against Sergey Lipinets for the IBF interim welterweight title October 24 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Once Abdukakhorov’s handlers determined that he couldn’t secure a visa to travel to the United States in time for the Lipinets fight, Canada’s Custio Clayton replaced him on approximately two weeks’ notice. Despite that he was a late substitute, the largely unknown Clayton (18-0-1, 12 KOs), who is ranked fourth by the IBF, performed well and battled the third-ranked Lipinets (16-1-1, 12 KOs) to a majority draw in a 12-round main event Showtime televised.

Kazakhstan’s Lipinets is expected to face Philadelphia’s Jaron Ennis (26-0, 24 KOs, 1 NC) in another Showtime main event April 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena.

Abdukakhorov, who had been promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc., signed a promotional deal recently with Sampson Lewkowicz’s company. He is now affiliated with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions as well.

The 34-year-old Flores, meanwhile, will end a 16-month layoff when he battles Abdukakhorov. The strong southpaw knocked out previously unbeaten Mexican Angel Ruiz (16-1, 12 KOs) in the second round of his last fight, which took place in October 2019 in Ontario, California.

Flores previously lost two 10-round unanimous decisions to Ronald Cruz (then 15-1) and Jaime Herrera (then 12-3-1).