Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of super lightweight knockout puncher Roiman “Flaco de Oro” Villa to a promotional contract.

26-year-old Villa (21-1, 21 KOs) hails from Baranquita, Venezuela. He started boxing at age six and went on to compile an amateur record of 138-9 and was a five-time national champion.

Villa says he first noticed his sensational power as a youngster.

“In the amateurs in Venezuela, I noticed the different effect my punches had compared to the other fighters. I’m gifted with a lot of power. That’s why I fight going forward all the time. I’m always looking for the knockout opportunity.”

Villa turned professional in 2015 and has been blasting out his South American competition. His lone trip to Mexico to fight led to him dropping a controversial decision to a Mexican fighter and to a desire to find solid promotional representation.

“Sampson is a promoter with hard-to-find values,” said Villa. “We are sure that his remarkable experience is critical to my dream of giving boxing fans a real show in the United States and becoming world champion. That’s the reason I’ve worked hard my entire career.”

“The boxing world will not know what hit them when Villa makes his US TV debut this year,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “He is an exciting and fearless puncher who can knock out anyone he can hit. His style is made for television and the fans in America are going to love him.”

Lewkowicz says fans’ first look at the Venezuelan bomber will be announced shortly.

Team Sauerland’s exciting contender Abass Baraou (9-0, 6 KOs) will defend his WBC International Super Welterweight title against his countryman Nick Klappert (28-3, 15 KOs) at the Work Your Champ Arena on April 4th in Hamburg, Germany.

Baraou’s tenth professional contest will be the first under the guidance of his new trainer Adam Booth, having moved from Berlin to the UK to link up with the highly regarded coach at the new Boxing Booth Gym in Surrey, England.

The 25-year-old will be headlining in Hamburg for the second time this year having topped the bill against Abraham Juarez on January 25th where he delivered a devastating performance that saw the Mexican retire on his stool after four brutal rounds.

“I am very happy to be boxing again in Hamburg and also live on SPORT1,” said Baraou. “I want to claim my tenth victory in my tenth fight, and I will remain undefeated. My opponent is of course experienced, but he won’t stop me on my way to the top! Everyone can definitely look forward to a great fight.”

Klappert enters the ring off the back of a career best performance in Hamburg in November that saw him overcome Antonio Hoffman to pick up the IBO Continental Super Welterweight title, and will be hoping to build on this success as he goes in search of his twenty-ninth professional win.

“I’m working hard and I’ve had excellent preparation for the fight,” said Klappert. “We don’t underestimate anyone but I’m looking forward to getting back in the ring and fighting in Hamburg.”

Chief support on April 4th at the Work Your Champ Arena in Hamburg comes from IBF European Middleweight Champion Denis Radovan (13-0-1, 6 KOs). 18-year-old Sophie Alisch (5-0, 1 KOs) is also in action as she looks to build on a fantastic debut year, and James Kraft (17-0-1, 9 KOs) challenges Dimitar Tilev (11-0, 7 KOs) for the IBF Junior World Super Middleweight title.

All the action will be broadcast live on SPORT1 in Germany.

EIGHT-TIME NATIONAL champion and Youth Olympic gold medallist Karol Itauma is set to turn professional with Frank Warren and fight under the Queensberry Promotions banner.

Based in Chatham, Kent, the 19-year-old has decided to abandon his pursuit of an Olympic position in favour of giving himself a headstart in the professional ranks.

The Slovakian-born light heavyweight beat world and European youth champion Ruslan Kolesnikov to claim the gold in Argentina in the 2018 Games, avenging a defeat in his first international tournament against the Russian.

Now Itauma will look to match and emulate the professional progress of fellow Kent fighters Dennis McCann and Sam Noakes.

“I am really excited and I feel like it is a new chapter in my life," said Itauma on his career development. "Obviously I have experienced a lot in the amateurs and now I am at the stage where I am ready to launch my professional career. I am delighted that I will be working with Frank Warren and Queensberry.

"Because of my age I would have come into my peak as an amateur between two Olympic Games. I am slightly too young to break through and make the squad for Tokyo and I have chosen not to commit to a further four-year cycle for the next one.

“We know all about Dennis McCann and Sam Noakes from them being local to us and I have been impressed with what Frank is doing for them. This is why Queensberry was always going to be my first choice.

"People have high expectations of me and I do myself, so Queensberry building a stable of exceptional younger fighters who will all primed towards winning titles at a similar time, makes it the place for me.

"It is what I want to be a part of, “added Itauma, who was a regular sparring partner for Chris Eubank jr ahead of his fight against James DeGale and has recently enjoyed sparring with Lawrence Okolie.

Itauma, who will continue to fight out of the St Mary's club in Chatham, receives competition on the home front from youngest brother Enrico, who is a two-time national and European champion at heavyweight, while his middle brother Savio is a promising footballer.

And it is not just the boxing world Itauma is looking to make a name for himself in. He also has his own line in fashion, having also stepped on the property development ladder, while for his exams in finance.

"I have always been into fashion - I like clothes and shoes - and I wanted to create something that represents the family name. In late 2017 I put that thought into practice and went out and did it.

"I released a few clothes and I've learned from it because, obviously, your first attempt isn't going to be perfect. I have picked up on my errors and I will ammend and hope it all comes out great."