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IBF Number One Welterweight Contender Adukhakorov Signs with Sampson Boxing

By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent

 

New York, NY (January 5th, 2020)– International Boxing Federation number one welterweight contender Kudraitillo ‘The Punisher’ Abdukhakorov, the mandatory challenger for Errol Spence Jr., has parted ways with Bob Arum’s Top Rank and has signed a multiyear contract with Sampson Lewkowitz and Sampson Boxing.

A four-time Uzbek national amateur champion with an amateur record of 170-10, Kudratillo currently has a professional record of 17-0.  Kudratillo was scheduled to fight Sergey Lipinets for the interim IBF World Welterweight title, but visa difficulties due to the Coronavirus Pandemic prevented the bout from getting scheduled or taking place. At this moment, Kudratillo’s coach Ilgar Aliev is still in Uzbekistan awaiting for a work visa to travel outside of his home country for training and bout purposes with Kudratillo in California. The COVID-19 Novel Coronavirus pandemic ahs prevented many foreigners from reaching the United States as the Coronavirus Pandemic remains a major travel concern.



Kudratillo has been the mandatory challenger for Spence for 19 months, but the bout, like many other mandatory titular bouts, presented travel and visa logistics, and health concerns, which could be overcome at the time due to the current Coronavirus Pandemic situation.  Kudratillo is managed by Vikram Silva, coached by Ilgar Aliev, and was training more recently with Armando Valenzuela at the Elite Pro Boxing Gym in Santa Fe, California. The World Boxing Council Silver Welterweight title Kudratillo won in March 2018 has changed hands three times since, the most recent titleholder being Shawn Porter, who scored a 12 round decision win over 22-0 Sebastian Formella in August 2020. Former WBC and IBF World Welterweight champion Porter would be a great interim title bout challenge for Kudratillo, or 16-1-1 Lipinets, who drew over 12 rounds with replacement opponent 18-0 Custio Clayton in October 2020 in the interim IBF World Welterweight title bout Kudratillo was originally supposed to fight.




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Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert Brizel - Head Boxing Correspondent
Robert is the Head Boxing Correspondent for Real Combat Media Boxing since 2013. Robert is also a photographer and ringside reporter for the RCM Tri State region which includes NJ, NY and PA. Robert conducts exclusive interviews, provides historical boxing articles and provides editorial ringside coverage of major boxing events. You can contact or follow Robert on Facebook and by email at [email protected].