Sampson Lewkowicz tabbed as lead promoter for San Francisco outdoor boxing event
Sampson Lewkowicz, the risk-taking promoter who backed Hall of Famers Manny Pacquiao and Sergio Martinez, among others, has emerged as lead promoter for the daring outdoor summer boxing event in San Francisco aiming to draw more than 100,000 fans.
Lewkowicz told Boxing Scene Friday that the July 11 show intends to stage eight fights, topped by a main event featuring a world champion he expects to divulge during a worldwide Thursday news conference that will be accessible – like the show – on major outlets including YouTube, TikTok and more.
The event, backed by Ed Pereira, a lifelong boxing fan and the CEO of London-based marketing company iVisit Media, was first touted at the five-acre Civic Center Plaza during a January press ceremony attended by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
Lewkowicz explained he plans to charge for some seats with good ringside views, but said most attendees can watch the bouts for free on mounted screens.
The bouts will be streamed globally on a pay-per-view basis.
While Pereira was connected to the failed Saudi Arabia-backed Times Square boxing card in New York that sent Ryan Garcia, Devin Haney and Teofimo Lopez into a fenced-off corner viewable by virtually no one on the street, this event has taken those lessons into consideration while working to win city cooperation.
“You will be able to see the fights from all over the park,” Lewkowicz said. “Absolutely no promoter on Earth can do what I plan to do with [Northern California promoter] Paco Damian.”
Uruguay’s Lewkowicz said his upbringing in the sport from manufacturing gloves, to matchmaking, managing and finally promoting defines a genuine adoration for the sport that makes him uniquely qualified to pull this event off while others fled.
“Nobody believed in these guys, but I saw something that the promoters with an education didn’t,” Lewkowicz said. “I may have been raised from the street, but I feel like I’m a fighter against the other promoters and I know that I’ve done many things, regardless of the consequence, where I’ve won big.”
He spoke of others not supporting his fighters Pacquiao and Argentina’s Martinez when he handled them, recalls three promoters balking to sign David Benavidez when he was overshadowed by his older brother, Jose Benavidez Jnr.
David on Saturday fights to become a three-division champion on a pay-per-view main event at T-Mobile Arena here.
“Nobody believed in Manny Pacquiao. I did. Nobody would sign Sergio ‘Maravilla’ Martinez. [Top Rank promoter Bob] Arum told me, ‘I don’t need him,’” Lewkowicz recalled while comparing the past hesitancy to this Bay Area undertaking.
“David Benavidez went to three different promoters before going to the Virgin Islands, where I promoted. Nobody took him. I took him. And look at him today. Nobody saw what I saw because I have a mind that – while I didn’t go to a college – I love boxing and I learned this sport from scratch.”
Lewkowicz is also aligned with 6-feet-6 WBC junior-middleweight champion Sebastian Fundora and his undisputed flyweight champion sister, Gabriela.
“I’m willing to give up my cars, my house, my money, but I will never betray anyone. I will not lie for anyone. When I say something is the truth, it is, and I’ve lost a lot of friends over that, especially in boxing,” he said.
His decision to promote the San Francisco effort, to be further discussed Thursday, came again as others retreated.
Why? “Because they’re not smart like me,” he cracked.
“Some of those [promoters] were lost because they got greedy. It’s very simple: Many of these promoters are multi-millionaires, and they want to have more millions,” Lewkowicz said.
“I don’t want to have more millions. I want to have a legacy, the spectacle. The legacy is more important than the money.”
Bringing boxing to the masses, showcasing the sporting action, the joy of victory in such a widespread way won over Lewkowicz.
He spoke of being the only promoter to commit to sponsoring more than 100 amateur Uruguay fighters, one of whom has graduated to a spot on the San Francisco planned card.
“Nobody knows that what I do is based on the love of the sport. Other promoters love the money and are greedy. So these people walked away,” he said.
“I’ve been with my wife for 52 years. I don’t go to bars. Nobody saw me hanging around or spending my money stupidly. I’m in the Hall of Fame in Atlantic City, not in [the International Boxing Hall of Fame in] Canastota, but you will see that night how much I care about this sport.”
Can the San Francisco event take a financial bath?
“I don’t think so,” he said, admitting the original ambition to draw a record 140,000 people to the event is likely too grandiose.
“But we can beat 100,000,” Lewkowicz said.
Anthony Olascuaga vs. Andy Dominguez | YouTube - July 11, 2025
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Re: Sampson Lewkowicz tabbed as lead promoter for San Francisco outdoor boxing event
Ed Pereira - back in January wanted to put on Usyk-Wilder and beat the record with that.
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Re: Sampson Lewkowicz tabbed as lead promoter for San Francisco outdoor boxing event
ANTHONY OLASCUAGA HEADLINES SAN FRANCISCO CARD TARGETING 132,000 FANS
IVB’s main card at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza is set in stone.
The card, which it hopes will draw over 132,135 fans to break the world record for the largest crowd ever assembled for a boxing event, will be headlined by WBO World Flyweight Champion Anthony Olascuaga versus Andy Dominguez on July 11. The current record is held by Tony Zale versus Billy Pryor at Juneau Park in Milwaukee in 1941.
The event, billed as "History in the Making," will be streamed on YouTube.
Olascuaga (12-1, 9 KOs), 27, has won seven straight fights since suffering his lone defeat against Kenshiro Teraji in 2023. The Los Angeles native made his fifth successful title defense in his last bout when he stopped Jukiya Iimura in the ninth round on March 15 in Japan.
Olascuaga is The Ring’s No. 3-ranked flyweight.
Dominguez (13-1, 6 KOs), 28, will be making a significant jump in competition. He last fought on July 25, beating Byron Rojas.
Ranked middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. will face Gerardo Luis Vergara (21-1, 14 KOs) in the co-feature in a 10-round bout. Mielnicki (23-1, 13 KOs) is ranked No. 2 by the WBO and No. 9 by the IBF and WBC.
Also on the card is Charly Suarez, who will be fighting for the first time since his no-contest against unified IBF and WBO 130-pound champion Emanuel Navarrette last May. The fight went to the scorecards after eight rounds after Navarrette (40-2-1, 33 KOs) couldn’t continue due to a cut that was ruled to be from a headbutt, and he won by unanimous decision. Replays later revealed that the cut came from a punch by Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC), and the result was later overturned to a no-contest.
Suarez, The Ring’s No. 5-ranked junior lightweight, faces Manuel Avila (25-2-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout.
Also on the card is Gurgen Hovhannisyan versus Uila Mauʻu in a matchup of undefeated heavyweights who are 10-0 with nine knockouts. Oscar Bonifacino (4-0-1, 3 KO) versus Raul Escudero (4-0) and Blake Binskin (3-0) versus Dante Paris Ibarra Hernandez (3-1, 3 KOs) round out the rest of the card.
IVB’s main card at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza is set in stone.
The card, which it hopes will draw over 132,135 fans to break the world record for the largest crowd ever assembled for a boxing event, will be headlined by WBO World Flyweight Champion Anthony Olascuaga versus Andy Dominguez on July 11. The current record is held by Tony Zale versus Billy Pryor at Juneau Park in Milwaukee in 1941.
The event, billed as "History in the Making," will be streamed on YouTube.
Olascuaga (12-1, 9 KOs), 27, has won seven straight fights since suffering his lone defeat against Kenshiro Teraji in 2023. The Los Angeles native made his fifth successful title defense in his last bout when he stopped Jukiya Iimura in the ninth round on March 15 in Japan.
Olascuaga is The Ring’s No. 3-ranked flyweight.
Dominguez (13-1, 6 KOs), 28, will be making a significant jump in competition. He last fought on July 25, beating Byron Rojas.
Ranked middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jr. will face Gerardo Luis Vergara (21-1, 14 KOs) in the co-feature in a 10-round bout. Mielnicki (23-1, 13 KOs) is ranked No. 2 by the WBO and No. 9 by the IBF and WBC.
Also on the card is Charly Suarez, who will be fighting for the first time since his no-contest against unified IBF and WBO 130-pound champion Emanuel Navarrette last May. The fight went to the scorecards after eight rounds after Navarrette (40-2-1, 33 KOs) couldn’t continue due to a cut that was ruled to be from a headbutt, and he won by unanimous decision. Replays later revealed that the cut came from a punch by Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs, 1 NC), and the result was later overturned to a no-contest.
Suarez, The Ring’s No. 5-ranked junior lightweight, faces Manuel Avila (25-2-1, 9 KOs) in a 10-round bout.
Also on the card is Gurgen Hovhannisyan versus Uila Mauʻu in a matchup of undefeated heavyweights who are 10-0 with nine knockouts. Oscar Bonifacino (4-0-1, 3 KO) versus Raul Escudero (4-0) and Blake Binskin (3-0) versus Dante Paris Ibarra Hernandez (3-1, 3 KOs) round out the rest of the card.
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Re: Anthony Olascuaga vs. Andy Dominguez | YouTube - July 11, 2025
Anthony Olascuaga to headline crowd-bursting San Francisco event
The large effort to draw more than 100,000 spectators to a mostly free boxing event in San Francisco on July 11 will be anchored by one of boxing’s smallest champions.
WBO flyweight titleholder Anthony Olascuaga, of Los Angeles, will defend his 112lbs belt versus Mexico’s Andy Dominguez in the main event of the iV Boxing outdoor fight card at San Francisco Civic Center being promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz and funded by UK businessman Ed Pereira.
The top of the card was formally announced Wednesday, with a news conference to elaborate on the event set to be globally streamed from the Bay Area’s Pier 33 on Thursday.
With the full support of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, Pereira has said he’s attempting to set the attendance record in the US for boxing. In 1941, an audience of 132,135 supported the Tony Zale-Billy Pryor fight in Milwaukee.
“Ed has a vision for this sport that I believe in completely,” said Lewkowicz. “When he came to me with this event, I saw immediately what it could be – something the boxing world has never seen. Together, we are going to give San Francisco and the world a night they will never forget.
“This is not just a fight card; this is a statement. I have spent my whole career backing things other people walked away from, and every time I have been proven right. This will be no different.”
Olascuaga, 12-1 (9 KOs), will be making his sixth title defense after knocking out or stopping five of his title-fight foes, including his most recent opponent, Jukiya Iimura, on March 15 in Japan.
Trained by Rudy Hernandez, Olascuaga will meet Dominguez, 13-1 (6 KOs), who resides in Las Vegas, and is ranked No. 15 at light-flyweight by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBO.
The undercard is headed by recent junior lightweight title challenger Charly Suarez, 18-0 (10 KOs), meeting Northern California’s Manuel Avila, 25-2-1 (9 KOs).
Suarez endured a disputed no-contest versus WBO and IBF 130lbs champion Emanuel Navarrete in San Diego in May, when a punch that opened a fight-ending, eighth-round cut on Navarrete was ruled a clash of heads.
Suarez recently signed with Lewkowicz, and the WBO has ordered Navarrete to fight him next following his February unification victory over Eduardo Nunez. Avila is promoted by the card’s co-promoter, Paco Damian.
ProBox middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jnr, 23-1 (13 KOs), of New Jersey, will return from his April 11 unanimous decision triumph to meet Argentina’s Gerardo Luis Vergara, 21-1 (14 KOs).
And heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan, 10-0 (9 KOs), will meet New Zealand’s Uila Mau’u, 10-0 (9 KOs). Hovhannisyan, trained by Joe Goossen, fought on the March 28 Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman card in Las Vegas.
The card also includes a former amateur from Uruguay sponsored by Uruguay’s promoter Lewkowicz, Oscar Bonifacino, 4-0 (3 KOs), in a six-round featherweight bout versus Spain’s Raul Escudero, 4-0.
With the card aimed at appealing to San Francisco’s diverse community, Bonifacino – a gay fighter – is set to be featured in the co-main event, according to the statement.
Lewkowicz told Boxing Scene last week that the card will be streamed globally on YouTube and TikTok, with more details about the event to be provided during Thursday’s news conference.
Jimmy Lennon Jnr will serve as ring announcer and Hall of Fame women’s fighter Christy Martin will serve as event host.
The large effort to draw more than 100,000 spectators to a mostly free boxing event in San Francisco on July 11 will be anchored by one of boxing’s smallest champions.
WBO flyweight titleholder Anthony Olascuaga, of Los Angeles, will defend his 112lbs belt versus Mexico’s Andy Dominguez in the main event of the iV Boxing outdoor fight card at San Francisco Civic Center being promoted by Sampson Lewkowicz and funded by UK businessman Ed Pereira.
The top of the card was formally announced Wednesday, with a news conference to elaborate on the event set to be globally streamed from the Bay Area’s Pier 33 on Thursday.
With the full support of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie, Pereira has said he’s attempting to set the attendance record in the US for boxing. In 1941, an audience of 132,135 supported the Tony Zale-Billy Pryor fight in Milwaukee.
“Ed has a vision for this sport that I believe in completely,” said Lewkowicz. “When he came to me with this event, I saw immediately what it could be – something the boxing world has never seen. Together, we are going to give San Francisco and the world a night they will never forget.
“This is not just a fight card; this is a statement. I have spent my whole career backing things other people walked away from, and every time I have been proven right. This will be no different.”
Olascuaga, 12-1 (9 KOs), will be making his sixth title defense after knocking out or stopping five of his title-fight foes, including his most recent opponent, Jukiya Iimura, on March 15 in Japan.
Trained by Rudy Hernandez, Olascuaga will meet Dominguez, 13-1 (6 KOs), who resides in Las Vegas, and is ranked No. 15 at light-flyweight by the WBC and No. 14 by the WBO.
The undercard is headed by recent junior lightweight title challenger Charly Suarez, 18-0 (10 KOs), meeting Northern California’s Manuel Avila, 25-2-1 (9 KOs).
Suarez endured a disputed no-contest versus WBO and IBF 130lbs champion Emanuel Navarrete in San Diego in May, when a punch that opened a fight-ending, eighth-round cut on Navarrete was ruled a clash of heads.
Suarez recently signed with Lewkowicz, and the WBO has ordered Navarrete to fight him next following his February unification victory over Eduardo Nunez. Avila is promoted by the card’s co-promoter, Paco Damian.
ProBox middleweight Vito Mielnicki Jnr, 23-1 (13 KOs), of New Jersey, will return from his April 11 unanimous decision triumph to meet Argentina’s Gerardo Luis Vergara, 21-1 (14 KOs).
And heavyweight Gurgen Hovhannisyan, 10-0 (9 KOs), will meet New Zealand’s Uila Mau’u, 10-0 (9 KOs). Hovhannisyan, trained by Joe Goossen, fought on the March 28 Sebastian Fundora-Keith Thurman card in Las Vegas.
The card also includes a former amateur from Uruguay sponsored by Uruguay’s promoter Lewkowicz, Oscar Bonifacino, 4-0 (3 KOs), in a six-round featherweight bout versus Spain’s Raul Escudero, 4-0.
With the card aimed at appealing to San Francisco’s diverse community, Bonifacino – a gay fighter – is set to be featured in the co-main event, according to the statement.
Lewkowicz told Boxing Scene last week that the card will be streamed globally on YouTube and TikTok, with more details about the event to be provided during Thursday’s news conference.
Jimmy Lennon Jnr will serve as ring announcer and Hall of Fame women’s fighter Christy Martin will serve as event host.
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Re: Anthony Olascuaga vs. Andy Dominguez | YouTube - July 11, 2025
Charly Suarez and team unveil bold plans as part of record-breaking bid
Charly Suarez has seen the heights that promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has brought other Filipino fighters to. He hopes Lewkowicz can do the same for him, too.
The unbeaten Filipino contender has signed with Lewkowicz and will face Manuel Avila on July 11. The fight, which Suarez’s team says will have a regional WBO belt at stake, will be part of the outdoor fight card at San Francisco Civic Center which promoter Lewkowicz and UK financier Ed Pereira hope will draw a record-breaking crowd of 100,000 spectators.
The contest will be an “activity fight” to keep Suarez active in the WBO rankings at 130lbs ahead of his mandatory title rematch with Emanuel Navarrete, which Suarez’s manager/trainer Delfin Boholst says is targeted for September or October.
First he must get past Avila, 25-2-1 (9 KOs). The 34-year-old Avila, who has fought primarily as a featherweight and junior featherweight, last fought in 2023, stopping Alberto Torres. His highest profile bouts were in his two defeats, when he was stopped in six by Joet Gonzalez in 2019 and lost a unanimous decision to Joseph Diaz Jnr in 2017.
“I’ve seen him fight on YouTube and he is a good boxer. This is a good fight and I’m excited for this fight,” Suarez, 18-0 (10 KOs), told BS ahead of Thursday’s press conference in San Francisco.
“This is a good opportunity for Team Suarez because Charly is becoming more and more recognized, especially here in the U.S.,” added Boholst.
Lewkowicz, a native of Uruguay who now makes his home in Las Vegas, has a long history of uncovering overlooked talents abroad, particularly in the Philippines. Lewkowicz is credited with discovering Manny Pacquiao before major U.S. promoters were willing to take a gamble on an unknown Filipino fighter, and led other Filipinos like Johnriel Casimero and Marvin Sonsona to world titles.
“I believe that he can help me to become a world champion,” said Suarez of Lewkowicz.
“Charly's new promoter has a good plan,” said Boholst. “What I hope is that we can show the new version of Charly that can't be shown like that. We know that Charly is hungry to become a world champion, so we will perform here in the match on July 11.”
Suarez last fought in May of 2025, meeting Emanuel Navarrete in a controversial fight for the WBO junior lightweight title. Navarrete was originally declared the winner by unanimous technical decision, but the fight was changed to a no contest when video conclusively showed that the cut that led referee Edward Collantes to stop the fight was caused by a punch and not a headbutt. Navarrete, 40-2-1 (33 KOs), returned to the ring in February, stopping Eduardo Nunez in a fight that unified his WBO title with the IBF belt, meaning that Suarez will have the opportunity to pick up two belts when his mandatory title opportunity occurs.
Suarez will train for the Avila fight at the Split-T Boxing Club in Paradise, Nevada.
Charly Suarez has seen the heights that promoter Sampson Lewkowicz has brought other Filipino fighters to. He hopes Lewkowicz can do the same for him, too.
The unbeaten Filipino contender has signed with Lewkowicz and will face Manuel Avila on July 11. The fight, which Suarez’s team says will have a regional WBO belt at stake, will be part of the outdoor fight card at San Francisco Civic Center which promoter Lewkowicz and UK financier Ed Pereira hope will draw a record-breaking crowd of 100,000 spectators.
The contest will be an “activity fight” to keep Suarez active in the WBO rankings at 130lbs ahead of his mandatory title rematch with Emanuel Navarrete, which Suarez’s manager/trainer Delfin Boholst says is targeted for September or October.
First he must get past Avila, 25-2-1 (9 KOs). The 34-year-old Avila, who has fought primarily as a featherweight and junior featherweight, last fought in 2023, stopping Alberto Torres. His highest profile bouts were in his two defeats, when he was stopped in six by Joet Gonzalez in 2019 and lost a unanimous decision to Joseph Diaz Jnr in 2017.
“I’ve seen him fight on YouTube and he is a good boxer. This is a good fight and I’m excited for this fight,” Suarez, 18-0 (10 KOs), told BS ahead of Thursday’s press conference in San Francisco.
“This is a good opportunity for Team Suarez because Charly is becoming more and more recognized, especially here in the U.S.,” added Boholst.
Lewkowicz, a native of Uruguay who now makes his home in Las Vegas, has a long history of uncovering overlooked talents abroad, particularly in the Philippines. Lewkowicz is credited with discovering Manny Pacquiao before major U.S. promoters were willing to take a gamble on an unknown Filipino fighter, and led other Filipinos like Johnriel Casimero and Marvin Sonsona to world titles.
“I believe that he can help me to become a world champion,” said Suarez of Lewkowicz.
“Charly's new promoter has a good plan,” said Boholst. “What I hope is that we can show the new version of Charly that can't be shown like that. We know that Charly is hungry to become a world champion, so we will perform here in the match on July 11.”
Suarez last fought in May of 2025, meeting Emanuel Navarrete in a controversial fight for the WBO junior lightweight title. Navarrete was originally declared the winner by unanimous technical decision, but the fight was changed to a no contest when video conclusively showed that the cut that led referee Edward Collantes to stop the fight was caused by a punch and not a headbutt. Navarrete, 40-2-1 (33 KOs), returned to the ring in February, stopping Eduardo Nunez in a fight that unified his WBO title with the IBF belt, meaning that Suarez will have the opportunity to pick up two belts when his mandatory title opportunity occurs.
Suarez will train for the Avila fight at the Split-T Boxing Club in Paradise, Nevada.
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Re: Anthony Olascuaga vs. Andy Dominguez | YouTube - July 11, 2025
SUAREZ RETURNS JULY 11 AHEAD OF POSSIBLE NAVARRETE REMATCH
World-rated junior lightweight Charly Suarez will end a yearlong hiatus return on July 11.
Suarez, who is rated No. 5 by The Ring at 130 pounds, will face Manuel Avila over 10 rounds at Civic Center in San Francisco.
"I'm grateful to be back in the ring this July," Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) told The Ring. "Staying active is important for me, but my focus hasn't changed."
To some, Suarez was unlucky not to win Emanuel Navarrete's WBO title last May when a cut over the Mexican's eye was deemed a head clash and not from a punch and the fight ended in an eighth round no-contest.
Navarrete returned in February to score what maybe a career best win over Eduardo Nunez to add the IBF junior lightweight title to his WBO title.
The WBO announced shortly afterwards that Navarrete had to face Suarez next.
Avila is seen as a stay-busy fight before the rumored rematch which could take place in September.
"I believe I did enough to win against Emanuel Navarrete, and I'm looking forward to the rematch to prove that — this time without any questions," he said.
Avila (25-2-1, 9 KOs) won 22 consecutive fights before tasting defeat to future world champion Joel Diaz (UD 10) in 2017.
Since then, he's fought just five times, including a stoppage loss to three-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (TKO 6) in July 2019. This fight will end a three-year.
World-rated junior lightweight Charly Suarez will end a yearlong hiatus return on July 11.
Suarez, who is rated No. 5 by The Ring at 130 pounds, will face Manuel Avila over 10 rounds at Civic Center in San Francisco.
"I'm grateful to be back in the ring this July," Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) told The Ring. "Staying active is important for me, but my focus hasn't changed."
To some, Suarez was unlucky not to win Emanuel Navarrete's WBO title last May when a cut over the Mexican's eye was deemed a head clash and not from a punch and the fight ended in an eighth round no-contest.
Navarrete returned in February to score what maybe a career best win over Eduardo Nunez to add the IBF junior lightweight title to his WBO title.
The WBO announced shortly afterwards that Navarrete had to face Suarez next.
Avila is seen as a stay-busy fight before the rumored rematch which could take place in September.
"I believe I did enough to win against Emanuel Navarrete, and I'm looking forward to the rematch to prove that — this time without any questions," he said.
Avila (25-2-1, 9 KOs) won 22 consecutive fights before tasting defeat to future world champion Joel Diaz (UD 10) in 2017.
Since then, he's fought just five times, including a stoppage loss to three-time world title challenger Joet Gonzalez (TKO 6) in July 2019. This fight will end a three-year.
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Re: Anthony Olascuaga vs. Andy Dominguez | YouTube - July 11, 2025
Anthony Olascuaga walks into his own massive ‘homecoming’ event
Anthony Olascuaga went from walking Junto Nakatani to the ring in front of a sizable audience of 55,000 fans to locking in his own summertime bout whose crowd, according to some estimations, could double that figure.
Olascuaga will attempt to make his sixth defense of the WBO flyweight title on July 11 against Andy Dominguez in San Francisco. The event, which was introduced in a press conference Thursday aboard a yacht at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing in San Francisco, will take place outside the Civic Center Plaza, with City Hall as its backdrop.
Last Saturday, Olascuaga, 12-1 (9 KOs), was ringside as his teammate Nakatani entered the biggest fight of his career, facing “The Monster” Naoya Inoue in Tokyo. Although Nakatani came up short in a unanimous decision loss, the 27-year-old Olascuaga’s own fortunes were quickly lifted when he found himself as the center of attention on a luxury Hornblower Hybrid yacht touring the waters outside the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Olascuaga will headline against Dominguez in a card that organizers hope will challenge boxing’s attendance world record of 135,132 live attendees who witnessed Tony Zale fight Billy Pryor in Milwaukee in 1941.
“It was surreal, especially since I was able to walk with [Nakatani],” Olascuaga told Boxing Scene. “He always supported me when I fought in Japan, and it felt nice to do the same, especially at that stage.”
Olascuaga will be in his second main event as a titleholder after knocking out Juan Carlos Camacho atop a Las Vegas bill last September. He has fought twice since Camacho, winning both fights by stoppage.
The San Francisco show will mark a homecoming of sorts.
Olascuaga is from Los Angeles, which, despite being a six-hour car trip or an hour flight from the Bay Area, is still far closer than Japan, where he has spent most of his title reign. Olascuaga is eager to put his best first forward in a high-profile flyweight bout in his home state.
“Just like a heavyweight, I am here to knock the other guy out,” Olascuaga said. “I may not have heavyweight power, but I have flyweight power, and that goes a long way.”
Rudy Hernandez, Olascuaga’s trainer, has worked with him since the amateurs. Hernandez, who has worked with various titleholders throughout his career, including Nakatani, knows how fleeting these moments are.
“There is only a very short life lived as a world champion,” Hernandez told BS. “I don’t care if it is one title defense or 20 title defenses; it is a short life lived, and you've got to make the best out of it.”
Dominguez, 13-1 (6 KOs), who is entering on a three-fight win streak, will be getting his first title shot. A 28-year-old from Mexico and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Dominguez defeated Byron Rojas last July via a split decision. He recently started training again with Ismael Salas in January, after a brief time spent in Los Angeles training.
“Hopefully, it goes our way and he continues on,” Hernandez said of Olascuaga. “These are just chapters that are being written in boxing history.”
Anthony Olascuaga went from walking Junto Nakatani to the ring in front of a sizable audience of 55,000 fans to locking in his own summertime bout whose crowd, according to some estimations, could double that figure.
Olascuaga will attempt to make his sixth defense of the WBO flyweight title on July 11 against Andy Dominguez in San Francisco. The event, which was introduced in a press conference Thursday aboard a yacht at Pier 33 Alcatraz Landing in San Francisco, will take place outside the Civic Center Plaza, with City Hall as its backdrop.
Last Saturday, Olascuaga, 12-1 (9 KOs), was ringside as his teammate Nakatani entered the biggest fight of his career, facing “The Monster” Naoya Inoue in Tokyo. Although Nakatani came up short in a unanimous decision loss, the 27-year-old Olascuaga’s own fortunes were quickly lifted when he found himself as the center of attention on a luxury Hornblower Hybrid yacht touring the waters outside the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Olascuaga will headline against Dominguez in a card that organizers hope will challenge boxing’s attendance world record of 135,132 live attendees who witnessed Tony Zale fight Billy Pryor in Milwaukee in 1941.
“It was surreal, especially since I was able to walk with [Nakatani],” Olascuaga told Boxing Scene. “He always supported me when I fought in Japan, and it felt nice to do the same, especially at that stage.”
Olascuaga will be in his second main event as a titleholder after knocking out Juan Carlos Camacho atop a Las Vegas bill last September. He has fought twice since Camacho, winning both fights by stoppage.
The San Francisco show will mark a homecoming of sorts.
Olascuaga is from Los Angeles, which, despite being a six-hour car trip or an hour flight from the Bay Area, is still far closer than Japan, where he has spent most of his title reign. Olascuaga is eager to put his best first forward in a high-profile flyweight bout in his home state.
“Just like a heavyweight, I am here to knock the other guy out,” Olascuaga said. “I may not have heavyweight power, but I have flyweight power, and that goes a long way.”
Rudy Hernandez, Olascuaga’s trainer, has worked with him since the amateurs. Hernandez, who has worked with various titleholders throughout his career, including Nakatani, knows how fleeting these moments are.
“There is only a very short life lived as a world champion,” Hernandez told BS. “I don’t care if it is one title defense or 20 title defenses; it is a short life lived, and you've got to make the best out of it.”
Dominguez, 13-1 (6 KOs), who is entering on a three-fight win streak, will be getting his first title shot. A 28-year-old from Mexico and now fighting out of Las Vegas, Dominguez defeated Byron Rojas last July via a split decision. He recently started training again with Ismael Salas in January, after a brief time spent in Los Angeles training.
“Hopefully, it goes our way and he continues on,” Hernandez said of Olascuaga. “These are just chapters that are being written in boxing history.”
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 104168
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Anthony Olascuaga vs. Andy Dominguez | YouTube - July 11, 2025
San Francisco show aiming for record-shattering crowd on July 11 canceled
Ed Pereira's IVB Boxing aimed to shatter a world record for the largest crowd ever assembled by staging a boxing show on July 11 at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza.
The event, which was supposed to be headlined by WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga's title defense against Andy Dominguez, was canceled Tuesday.
"Due to growing logistical concerns, it is with regret that the event schedule has been canceled," a statement read on IVB's social channels.
"The previously announced card will still be taking place with a new date and venue to be confirmed in the coming days. Full refunds will be made to all that purchased tickets."
Pereira's plan was to break the attendance mark of 132,135 set in 1941 for a fight between Tony Zale versus Billy Pryor in Milwaukee's Juneau Park.
The event, backed by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Laurie, was promoted as “History in the Making" and a press conference was held on a yacht in the San Francisco Bay on May 7. Select tickets starting at $60 were sold, with the other 80 percent of tickets to be given out for free.
Charly Suarez and Gurgen Hovhannisyan were supposed to be featured on the undercard, with promoter Sampson Lewkowicz leading the charge.
The event, assessed in relation to its record-breaking goal, was perceived to be a pipedream from the get-go and met with tremendous skepticism due to its lack of star power, as many predicted the ambitious plans would implode before a single punch could be thrown.
Ed Pereira's IVB Boxing aimed to shatter a world record for the largest crowd ever assembled by staging a boxing show on July 11 at San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza.
The event, which was supposed to be headlined by WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga's title defense against Andy Dominguez, was canceled Tuesday.
"Due to growing logistical concerns, it is with regret that the event schedule has been canceled," a statement read on IVB's social channels.
"The previously announced card will still be taking place with a new date and venue to be confirmed in the coming days. Full refunds will be made to all that purchased tickets."
Pereira's plan was to break the attendance mark of 132,135 set in 1941 for a fight between Tony Zale versus Billy Pryor in Milwaukee's Juneau Park.
The event, backed by San Francisco Mayor Daniel Laurie, was promoted as “History in the Making" and a press conference was held on a yacht in the San Francisco Bay on May 7. Select tickets starting at $60 were sold, with the other 80 percent of tickets to be given out for free.
Charly Suarez and Gurgen Hovhannisyan were supposed to be featured on the undercard, with promoter Sampson Lewkowicz leading the charge.
The event, assessed in relation to its record-breaking goal, was perceived to be a pipedream from the get-go and met with tremendous skepticism due to its lack of star power, as many predicted the ambitious plans would implode before a single punch could be thrown.
-
Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 104168
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
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Ruthless-RKO
- Welterweight
- Posts: 104168
- Joined: 24 Apr 2016, 11:59
Re: Anthony Olascuaga vs. Andy Dominguez | YouTube - July 11, 2025
San Francisco boxing card scrapped, headed to small Las Vegas venue
Once touted as a global boxing showcase capable of drawing more than 100,000 spectators to the streets of San Francisco, the iVB boxing event is being scrapped for the Bay Area with vastly shrunken eyes on moving to a 2,500-seat Las Vegas venue.
Lead promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told Boxing Scene Monday that logistical problems connected to fulfilling plans for hosting a public outdoor audience at the San Francisco Civic Center July 11 are chiefly responsible for the cancellation.
Lewkowicz said the boxing card, headlined by WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga defending his belt against Andy Dominguez, will still occur in July as he shops venues.
The outdoor plan proposed by iVB head Ed Pereira seemed overly ambitious from the outset even as it included the support of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
The permit process of securing such an event was extensive, and the San Francisco Chronicle first reported the production company involved in the event, Silverback, withdrew.
Silverback, which produces the popular Bay to Breakers run, was “genuinely excited” about the boxing event, CEO Kyle Meyers told The Chronicle.
iVB Boxing didn’t mention reported financial issues also contributing to the cancellation, posting it was “due to growing logistical concerns … full refunds will be made to all that purchased tickets.”
Tickets ranged from $60 to $600.
Mayor Lurie said he’s turning his attention to this month’s World Cup games in the city.
Once touted as a global boxing showcase capable of drawing more than 100,000 spectators to the streets of San Francisco, the iVB boxing event is being scrapped for the Bay Area with vastly shrunken eyes on moving to a 2,500-seat Las Vegas venue.
Lead promoter Sampson Lewkowicz told Boxing Scene Monday that logistical problems connected to fulfilling plans for hosting a public outdoor audience at the San Francisco Civic Center July 11 are chiefly responsible for the cancellation.
Lewkowicz said the boxing card, headlined by WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga defending his belt against Andy Dominguez, will still occur in July as he shops venues.
The outdoor plan proposed by iVB head Ed Pereira seemed overly ambitious from the outset even as it included the support of San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie.
The permit process of securing such an event was extensive, and the San Francisco Chronicle first reported the production company involved in the event, Silverback, withdrew.
Silverback, which produces the popular Bay to Breakers run, was “genuinely excited” about the boxing event, CEO Kyle Meyers told The Chronicle.
iVB Boxing didn’t mention reported financial issues also contributing to the cancellation, posting it was “due to growing logistical concerns … full refunds will be made to all that purchased tickets.”
Tickets ranged from $60 to $600.
Mayor Lurie said he’s turning his attention to this month’s World Cup games in the city.