Kosport Magazine: Lewkowicz Defends Fundora and Benavidez on ProBox TV
Sampson Lewkowicz has always been a fierce advocate for his fighters, and with two of them currently at the center of some of the sport’s most heated debates, he took to the airwaves on Wednesday to show his unwavering support.
Lewkowicz, promoter for newly crowned WBO and WBC junior middleweight world champion Sebastian Fundora and undefeated former super middleweight champion David Benavidez, provided updates on both fighters on Kosport Magazine’s “Deep Waters.”
Appearing just a day after the Nevada Athletic Commission issued a medical suspension for Fundora until September 27th due to a broken nose he suffered during his split-decision victory over Tim Tszyu, Lewkowicz was quick to dismiss any notion that the fight should have been ruled a no-contest.
Tszyu also suffered a deep gash on his head during the first round and later claimed that he was “blinded” by the blood flow. However, when questioned by the doctor during the fight, he stated that he could still see.
Lewkowicz, in response to a previous episode of “Deep Waters” where panelist Paulie Malignaggi criticized the doctor for not stopping the fight, said, “Both fighters were bleeding. I’m very surprised my friend Paulie forgot that he was a fighter himself. I’ve seen him bleed many times…The referee asked Tszyu if he wanted to continue and he never said he didn’t want to.”
Malignaggi countered, “You never saw my face like Tszyu’s. As fighters, we always say yes, but the doctor has a job to do. The doctor’s opinion should supersede the fighter’s…What is the point of the doctor? Just to hang around?”
Lewkowicz fired back, “I don’t think Tszyu said he couldn’t see. Are you a doctor? Then how can you say there was too much blood? You cannot know more than the doctor.”
The conversation then shifted to the highly anticipated fight between undisputed super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and his mandatory challenger, Benavidez.
Lewkowicz expressed his frustration with Canelo’s decision to bypass Benavidez, who is six years younger than him. “I’ve gotten very tired of Canelo. I’ve said ‘No mas, Canelo.’ And Benavidez…he got tired too. This decision is up to Benavidez.”
While Canelo is set to face fellow Mexican Jaime Munguia on May 4th, Benavidez will be fighting former light heavyweight champion Oleksandr Gvozdyk on June 15th.
Malignaggi pressed for more details, and Lewkowicz explained how Benavidez has refused to accept any step-aside money from Canelo, who has also avoided fighting Jermell Charlo in the past.
“He doesn’t want the step-aside money. The worst thing Canelo can say is that Benavidez is just looking for a payday. We’ll accept $5 million to fight him when Canelo is seeking $150 million. Benavidez wants to be different. He wants to force the fight by remaining the mandatory. If he takes $1 or $1 million, he loses the leverage.”
Malignaggi was shocked by this revelation, saying, “I’ve never seen someone duck a guy like this in my life.”
The WBC has offered Benavidez the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the undisputed light heavyweight title fight between Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev on June 1st. Some have speculated that Canelo is just waiting for a potential undisputed versus undisputed superfight with Benavidez in 2025.
Lewkowicz clarified that Benavidez will have a short window of time after his June 15th fight to decide whether he wants to become the mandatory challenger for Beterbiev-Bivol or remain in his current position relative to Canelo.
“We’ll see…this is boxing,” Lewkowicz said. “Munguia could win the fight and end Canelo’s career.”
“I say all the time, Canelo will never fight Benavidez. He will never fight him.”
Kosport Magazine: Lewkowicz Defends Fundora and Benavidez on ProBox TV
Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter for newly crowned WBO and WBC junior middleweight world champion Sebastian Fundora and undefeated former super middleweight champion David Benavidez, took to the airwaves on Wednesday to show his unwavering support for his fighters.
Lewkowicz addressed the recent controversies surrounding Fundora’s broken nose during his split-decision victory over Tim Tszyu and Canelo Alvarez’s decision to bypass Benavidez as his mandatory challenger.
He dismissed any notion that the fight should have been ruled a no-contest and defended Tszyu’s ability to continue despite a deep gash on his head. He also addressed criticism from panelist Paulie Malignaggi, who accused the doctor of not doing his job.
The conversation then shifted to the highly anticipated fight between Canelo and Benavidez, with Lewkowicz expressing his frustration with Canelo’s decision to avoid his mandatory challenger.
He also revealed that Benavidez has refused to accept any step-aside money from Canelo, choosing instead to remain the mandatory challenger and force the fight.
The article concludes with Lewkowicz clarifying that Benavidez will have a short window of time after his upcoming fight to decide whether he wants to become the mandatory challenger for the winner of the undisputed light heavyweight title fight or remain in his current position relative to Canelo.
Lewkowicz’s passionate defense of his fighters and his insights into the inner workings of the boxing world make for a compelling read for any sports fan.
