About Sampson Lewkowicz

Sampson Lewkowicz born on January 10, 1951, in Montevideo, Uruguay, from a very young age he discovered a great passion for the sport of boxing to the point where he even had a brief amateur career consisting of 3 fights held at the local YMCA, compiling a 2-1 record and that sole defeat came via knockout "I went flying out of the ring and at that point I discovered that my future was not in the squared circle" stated Lewkowicz.

At the age of 20 he discovered the need to go to new horizons and made the decision to immigrate to the United States. 

That is how in 1971 he arrived in New York and found his very first job (in the Housekeeping Dept.) at computer giant IBM in Ossinig N.Y. 

He later went on to work at a mattress factory where he excelled due to his fast work rate and efficiency to the point where union leaders warned him to decrease his productivity or leave and based on those threats he chose to leave. 

1974 was the year that he married his wife Ketty,his lifelong companion of which they have one son Nathan it was also when he worked as a stock boy in  a electronic appliance store where he went on to become a salesman and later manager of the store. 

Two years later he arrived at the world renowned 5th Avenue employed as a manager at the prestigious electronics store "Jason's 5th Avenue" located on 5th Avenue and 54th St. 

While there and based on his charm and personality  while catering to celebrities as well as politicians he established very warm friendships with the likes of Sylvester Stallone,Jack Nicholson,Paul Newman and ex president Jimmie Carter.Ingrid Bergman developed such a close friendship with Sampson that she confided in him before anybody that she had been diagnosed with Cancer. 

In 1978 he was tempted with another offer from another known electronic appliance store also located on 5th avenue 'Joal 5th Avenue' where he worked for several years and catered to the needs of such people like  Real Estate Tycoon Donald Trump and World Boxing Council President Jose Sulaiman.. 

It was while meeting Mr.Sulaiman that his interest in boxing returned and began his involvement and employment for a boxing equipment manufacturing company where he worked for a year. 

His knowledge for boxing grew stronger to the point where he signed his first boxer,middleweight Brian Barbosa whom he guided to two important championship eliminator bouts versus Antwun Echols and Carl Daniels. 

On June 5th 1997 in Mayaguez,Puerto Rico he organized his first boxing event and discovered his vocation of matchmaker. 

During the year 2000 The still in effect Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act(of Congress) prevented him from acting as a manager and  matchmaker so he choose the latter. 

During that year he was the matchmaker for 6 shows in St.Thomas U.S. Virgin Islands. 

That same year Lewkowicz joined M&M Sports where he first brought them Barbosa followed by none other than present day pound for pound super star Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines.Soon to follow was Spaniard Javier Castillejo as well as a pair of Venezuelans Yober Ortega and Jose Luis Valbuena also the now deceased ex Lightweight champion Levander Johnson many of these boxers finished their careers with Lewkowicz once their obligations with M&M Sports ended. 

A remembered and historical event was co-ordinated and put together by Lewkowicz on January 15th of 2000 in New York City's famous Radio City Music Hall where the only boxing event ever held at this iconic venue was held with the feature bout that evening was Roy Jones Jr. vs David Tedesco,in the year 2004 Lewkowicz produced another historical event in Louisville Kentucky under the banner of Chris Webb Promotions where Mike Tyson was defeated by Danny Williams and Nelson Dieppa  successfully defended his WBO Light flyweight Title against Ulises Solis. 

In 2001 during the Castillejo-DeLaHoya bout was where the bond that exist until this day between Sampson and Richard Schaefer thus the current relation between Lewkowicz and Golden Boy Promotions. 

During this time I noticed that Oscar and Richard had more trust in me than in M&M's Promoter stated Sampson. 

It must be noted that during these years promotional giant Golden Boy Promotions had not been created and already a solid bond between Lewkowicz and GBP had been established. 

As a independent matchmaker from 2000 until today Sampson works  in South America with Arano Box Promotions where he  guided Jorge "La Hiena" Barrios into a champion and created title opportunities for Jorge "Locomotora' Castro and Wilfredo Vilchez among others. 

His ability to create and maneuver important fights have him in high demand by the worlds top promotional companies for example: 

Golden Boy Promotions (USA) since its inception until today Lewkowicz has represented fighters and made several historical matches. 

With Golden Boy Promotions he was the brains behind "The World Cup of Boxing" during both editions of the event.(Mexico vs Thailand and Mexico vs Philippines) 

Seminole Warriors(USA): Ever since ex attorney and friend Leon Margules assumed  the position of executive director in October 2005 Lewkowicz has been a matchmaker as well as partner in several events including events featuring Sultan Ibragimov among others. 

With Sydney Olympic  games silver medalist Sultan Ibragimov,Sampson and manager Boris Grimberg where able to make history as they developed Sultan from pro debut to a mandatory position  followed by winning the WBO Title from Shannon Briggs followed by a successful defense in Russia over Evander Holyfield and loosing his title in a unification bout against IBF Champion Wladimir Klitschko  during a bout held at the Mecca of Boxing Madison Square Garden in New York. 

AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS 

His dedication and attention to detail as a matchmaker have earned him numerous awards and recognition from all corners of the world. 

From 2003 to 2008 he was consecutively awarded the honor of matchmaker of the year by the World Boxing Organization. 

In 2007 as well as 2008  he was named Matchmaker of the year by the World Boxing Association. 

Was distinguishably awarded with a Curbed Sabre by the Minister of Sports of Indonesia. 

Has received municipal awards by mayors of different localities in The Philippines,California,Puerto Rico and Thailand. 

Today Sampson is a general partner in 340 Promotions along with Lesly Commisong as the only Promotional outfit in the U S Virgin Islands. 

At the same time his outstanding matchmaker career continues as he works with the top promoters of the USA,Europe,Asia,South Africa,Central America,South America,New Zealand and Australia. 

FORMER WORLD CHAMPIONS REPRESENTED BY LEWKOWICZ

Sultan Ibragimov (WBO HEAVYWEIGHT) Russia 

Krystof Wlodarzyk (IBF CRUISER)  Poland 

Javier Castillejo (WBC Super Welter) Spain 

Leavander Johnson (IBF Lightweight) USA 

Michael Katsidis (WBO Interin Lightweight) Australia 

Jorge Rodrigo Barrios (WBA Super Featherweight) Argentina 

Yober Ortega ( WBA Super Featherweight) Venezuela 

Somsak Sitchawal (WBA Super Bantamweight) Thailand 

Ratnchanai Sor Vorapin (WBO Bantamweight) Thailand 

Rafael Concepcion (WBA Interin Super Flyweight) Panama 

Muhammad Rachman (IBF Minimunweight) Indonesia 

CURRENT WORLD CHAMPIONS REPRESENTED BY LEWKOWICZ 

Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez (WBC Interin Super Welter) Argentina 

Chris "The Dragon" John (WBA Featherweight) Indonesia 

Celestino "Pelenchin" Caballero (WBA & IBF Super Bantamweight) Panama 

Hanna Gabriel (WBO Welterweight Female) Costa Rica

Donnie Nietes (WBO Minimunweight) Philippines

QUIEN ES SAMPSON LEWKOWICZ...

Sampson Lewkowicz nació en Montevideo, Uruguay, el 10 de enero de 1951. Desde adolescente descubrió su pasión por el boxeo al punto de haber realizado tres peleas como amateur en la Asociación Cristiana de Jóvenes (YMCA) de la capital uruguaya. 

Ganó dos y perdió una. Esa derrota fue por KO. “Me hicieron volar del ring y descubrí que lo mío no iba a estar entre las 16 cuerdas de un ring”, evocó. 

A sus 19 años, sintió que debía buscar otros horizontes y decidió emigrar a Estados Unidos. 

Fue así que en 1970 llegó a New York, donde consiguió su primer empleo (encargado de limpieza) en la poderosa compañía IBM, en pleno corazón de Manhattan.  

Luego trabajó en una fabrica de camas, donde destacó por su rapidez y eficacia. “Yo era tan eficiente y veloz que hasta me amenazaban con que si seguía teniendo esa productividad, me tenía que ir. Entonces, me fui”, evoca Sampson. 

Corría 1974, año de su casamiento con Ketty, su compañera de toda la vida, cuando Lewkowicz ingresó como repositor en una casa de artículos electrónicos. Luego ascendió a vendedor para más adelante ocupar el cargo de gerente. 

Dos años más tarde llegó a la selecta 5ta avenida empleándose como gerente de la reconocida casa de electrónica “Jason 5th Avenue”. 

Allí quedó una gran anécdota: Por su don de gente y cordialidad atendió a grandes estrellas del espectáculo y  la política como Sylvester Stallone, Jack Nicholson, Paul Newman y el ex presidente James Carter. Pero la famosísima actriz Ingrid Bergman se hizo gran confidente de Sampson y fue a él a quien le reveló, primero que a nadie, que padecía cáncer. 

En 1978 fue tentado por otra casa grande de artículos electrónicos, también de la 5ta Avenida, “Joal 5th Avenue”, donde trabajó por varios años entablando amistad, entre otros, con el famoso empresario Donald Trump y con el actual presidente del Consejo Mundial de Boxeo, don José Sulaimán. 

Fue el dirigente mexicano quien le hizo renacer el amor por el pugilismo, como así también el fabricante de una famosa casa de guantes e indumentaria de boxeo, que lo llevó a trabajar a esa empresa. 

El vínculo con el deporte de las narices chatas se fue haciendo ahí muy fuerte hasta que en 1997 firmó contrato con su primer boxeador, el peso mediano Brian Barbosa, a quien condujo a dos chances eliminatorias importantes (ante Antwun Echols y Carl Daniels). 

El 5 de junio de 1997, en Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, organizó su primer festival de boxeo descubriendo su vocación de Matchmaker. 

La famosa Ley Alí lo hizo optar. La reglamentación, aun vigente, no le permitía ser concertador y manager, con lo cual se quedó con lo primero. Corría el 2000. 

Allí se gestó su incorporación a la empresa promotora M&M Sports a la cual le llevó a Barbosa primero y luego nada menos que al hoy ultra famoso filipino Manny Pacquiao. También acercó al español Javier Castillejo, a los venezolanos Yober Ortega y José Luis Valbuena y al cotizado ligero Leavander Johnson. Muchos de ellos terminaron su carrera bajo la conducción del concertista uruguayo una vez éste se desvinculó de M&M Sports. 

En un hito muy recordado en el boxeo, Sampson concertó y coordinó la única velada realizada en el famoso teatro neoyorquino “Radio City Hall”. Fue el 15 de enero de 2000 y la pelea de fondo fue Roy Jones vs David Telesco. 

En 2001, para la pelea entre Oscar de la Hoya y Javier Castillejo, que Sampson concertó junto a Richard Schaeffer, comenzó el estrecho vínculo entre Lewkowicz y el “Golden Boy”.  

“Es que Richard y Oscar confiaron más en mí que en el promotor de M&M”, apuntó el matchmaker. 

Su habilidad y oportunismo en la concreción de peleas importantes y equivalentes lo tienen como referente en la materia por muchas empresas en todo el mundo.  

PREMIOS Y RECONOCIMIENTOS 

Su dedicada tarea como concertista ha merecido numerosos premios y reconocimientos en todo el mundo. 

De 2003 a 2008, consecutivamente, fue Promotor del Año para la WBO

En 2007 y 2000, Promotor del Año para la WBA 

Fue distinguido con el Sable corvo de Indonesia, por el Ministro de Deportes de ese país. 

Recibió distintas condecoraciones de alcaldes de Filipinas, California (EE.UU), Puerto Rico y Tailandia. 

Actualmente, Sampson Lewkowicz es Socio Gerente (junto a Lesley Comissiong) de “340 Promotions”, de Islas Vírgenes, siendo el único promotor de boxeo en ese país. 

Para reflejar la importancia de Sampson en el mundo del pugilismo, sobre todo en Oriente, cabe señalar que allí lo llaman “Picasso”… porque pinta el boxeo.