Sam Soliman

Last updated

Sam Soliman
Born (1973-11-13) 13 November 1973 (age 51)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Other namesKing
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm) [1]
Reach71+12 in (182 cm) [1]
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights71
Wins49
Wins by KO19
Losses19
Draws1
No contests1

Sam Soliman (born 13 November 1973) is an Australian professional boxer, and former kickboxer and mixed martial artist. In boxing, he held the International Boxing Federation (IBF) middleweight title in 2014, becoming the oldest middleweight world champion in history at the time. [2]

Contents

Kickboxing career

Soliman is a former world champion in kickboxing, and also competed in Muay Thai. [3] [4]

Professional boxing career

Soliman made his professional boxing debut on 20 April 1997, defeating Heath Stenton by four-round unanimous decision (UD). [5] In the first half of his career he won a multitude of regional titles, from light-middleweight to cruiserweight. He won the vacant Commonwealth middleweight title on 19 June 2000, scoring a ninth-round stoppage over Neville Brown. This reign was short-lived, as Soliman would lose a points decision to Howard Eastman a few months later on 16 September. His first world championship opportunity came on 7 March 2007, against Anthony Mundine for the vacant WBA super-middleweight title in an all-Australian showdown. After four knockdowns, Soliman lost by knockout in round nine. [6] Later in the year, on 6 November, he finished third in the Contender series by defeating Wayne Johnsen by six-round UD. [7] In a rematch against Mundine on 28 May 2008, this time with Mundine as defending champion, Soliman lost by UD. [8]

The pinnacle of Soliman's career was on 31 May 2014, when he defeated multiple-time world champion Felix Sturm by UD to win the IBF middleweight title. [9] They had previously fought on 1 February 2013, which was a fight marred afterwards by a drawn-out legal battle which took more than three years to resolve. Soliman was first announced to have failed a drug test in April 2013, which resulted in the German Boxing Federation ruling the fight a no contest and handing him a nine-month suspension in Germany. [10] In October 2016, Soliman was exonerated by a German court which judged the Federation to have acted unlawfully, thus overturning the no contest result. [11] However, in what would be yet another short-lived championship reign, Soliman lost by UD to former undisputed middleweight champion Jermain Taylor on 8 October 2014, enduring four knockdowns due to a debilitating knee injury. [12]

Outside of boxing

Soliman has worked with people in need, and closely with the Salvation Army. He has set up a gym and spends twice a week teaching fitness and wellbeing to homeless people. [13] In 1996, he competed as a contestant on season three of Australian Gladiators .

Professional boxing record

70 fights49 wins19 losses
By knockout193
By decision3016
Draws1
No contests1
No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateAgeLocationNotes
71Loss50–19–1 (1)Yuki NonakaUD126 Apr 202450 years, 145 daysSangyo Shinko Center, Sakai, Japan
70Loss50–18–1 (1)Alex WaltersUD89 Dec 202350 years, 26 daysOrion Function Centre, Campsie, Australia
69Loss50–17–1 (1)Joel CamilleriTKO1 (8), 1:059 Dec 202249 years, 26 daysPavilion, Melbourne, Australia
68Win50–16–1 (1)Troy O'MeleyTD4 (8)3 Jul 202248 years, 232 daysPavilion, Melbourne, Australia
67Win49–16–1 (1)Jesse WhiteUD819 Mar 202248 years, 126 daysPavilion, Melbourne, Australia
66Win48–16–1 (1)Jesse WhiteSD611 Dec 202148 years, 28 daysPavilion, Melbourne, Australia
65Loss47–16–1 (1)Victor NagbeUD1010 Jul 202147 years, 239 daysPavilion, Melbourne, Australia
64Loss47–15–1 (1) Sakio Bika UD831 Mar 202147 years, 138 days Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia
63Win47–14–1 (1)Mark LucasUD1212 Apr 201945 years, 150 daysPavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant WBF (Foundation) middleweight title
62NC46–14–1 (1)Tej Pratap SinghNC1027 Jul 201844 years, 256 daysPavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaWBA Oceania middleweight title at stake;
Originally MD win for Soliman, later ruled NC after incorrect referee calls
61Draw46–14–1Wes CapperMD1217 Mar 201844 years, 124 daysPavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaFor vacant IBF International middleweight title
60Win46–14Balazs HorvathTKO3 (10), 1:2122 Apr 201743 years, 160 daysPavilion, Melbourne, Australia
59Loss45–14 Serhiy Derevianchenko TKO2 (12), 2:4121 Jul 201642 years, 251 days Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
58Loss45–13 Dominic Wade SD1226 Jun 201541 years, 225 daysLittle Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, US
57Loss45–12 Jermain Taylor UD128 Oct 201440 years, 329 days Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi, USLost IBF middleweight title
56Win45–11 Felix Sturm UD1231 May 201440 years, 199 days König Palast, Krefeld, GermanyWon IBF middleweight title
55Win44–11Les SherringtonTKO9 (12), 2:1211 Dec 201340 years, 28 daysPavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant PABA interim middleweight title
54Win43–11 Felix Sturm UD121 Feb 201339 years, 80 days ISS Dome, Düsseldorf, Germany
53Win42–11 Giovanni Lorenzo UD1224 Aug 201238 years, 285 days Geelong Arena, Geelong, Australia
52Win41–11 Garth Wood UD1219 Feb 201238 years, 98 days State Sports Centre, Sydney, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Pan Pacific interim middleweight title
51Win40–11 Eromosele Albert UD1218 Nov 201138 years, 5 daysPavilion, Melbourne, Australia
50Win39–11Pradeep SinghKO10 (12), 1:2723 Sep 201036 years, 314 days Flemington Racecourse Atrium Room, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
49Win38–11Shannon McMahonTKO11 (12), 2:2013 Mar 201036 years, 120 days Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant WBF (Foundation) middleweight title
48Win37–11Les PiperTKO7 (12), 1:434 Oct 200834 years, 326 daysPeninsula/Shed 14 at Docklands Central Pier, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Australasian and WBF (Foundation) interim middleweight titles
47Win36–11Sintung KietbusabaTKO7 (12), 1:4016 Aug 200834 years, 277 daysPeninsula/Shed 14 at Docklands Central Pier, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBO Asia Pacific middleweight title
46Loss35–11 Anthony Mundine UD1228 May 200834 years, 197 daysVodafone Arena, Melbourne, AustraliaFor WBA super middleweight title
45Win35–10 Wayne Johnsen UD6 6 Nov 2007 33 years, 358 days TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US The Contender: season finale
44Loss34–10 Sakio Bika UD830 Oct 200733 years, 351 daysContender Arena, Los Angeles, California, US The Contender: semi-final
43Win34–9 Max Alexander UD518 Sep 200733 years, 309 days Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, US The Contender: first round
42Loss33–9 Anthony Mundine KO9 (12), 2:267 Mar 200733 years, 114 days Entertainment Centre, Sydney, AustraliaFor vacant WBA super middleweight title
41Win33–8 Enrique Ornelas MD1017 Nov 200633 years, 4 daysSoboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, US
40Win32–8Raúl Jorge MuñozTKO6 (10), 1:493 Mar 200632 years, 110 daysPechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
39Loss31–8 Winky Wright UD1210 Dec 200532 years, 27 days Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
38Win31–7Fernando ZunigaUD1021 Jul 200531 years, 250 days Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, US
37Win30–7Miguel JulioTKO4 (10), 2:2023 Feb 200531 years, 102 days Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia
36Win29–7Jose Alberto ClaveroKO7 (10), 1:1312 Dec 200431 years, 29 daysPanthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
35Win28–7Diego CastilloTKO4 (10), 2:356 Nov 200430 years, 359 days University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
34Win27–7 Raymond Joval UD1218 Jul 200430 years, 248 days Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
33Win26–7Plaisakda BoonmalertTKO3 (10), 1:2528 May 200430 years, 197 daysPanthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
32Win25–7MoechrodyTKO3 (12)16 Apr 200430 years, 155 days Dandenong Stadium, Melbourne, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
31Win24–7Jorge Andres SclarandiTKO8 (12), 0:017 Mar 200430 years, 115 daysPanthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
30Win23–7Juan Carlos LettieriKO1 (12), 1:2923 Jan 200430 years, 71 daysPanthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
29Win22–7Silvio Walter RojasTKO4 (12)5 Dec 200330 years, 22 daysPanthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
28Win21–7Satoru SuzukiUD121 Nov 200329 years, 353 days Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF middleweight title
27Win20–7Tokutaro ToyozumiSD127 Sep 200329 years, 298 daysMasukicho Gym, Kumamoto, JapanWon OPBF middleweight title
26Win19–7Ramon Arturo BritezUD1212 Aug 200329 years, 272 daysAlbert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
25Win18–7Nader HamdanUD122 Jun 200329 years, 201 daysPanthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
24Win17–7Mike CopeUD106 Dec 200229 years, 23 days State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne, Australia
23Win16–7 Sakio Bika MD1215 Oct 200228 years, 336 daysAlbert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
22Win15–7 Sean Sullivan UD1224 Jul 200228 years, 253 days Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
21Win14–7Ojay AbrahamsPTS415 Jun 200228 years, 214 daysTottenham Green Leisure Centre, London, England
20Win13–7Eric TeymourPTS826 Apr 200228 years, 164 daysThistle Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
19Loss12–7 Anthony Mundine SD123 Sep 200127 years, 294 days Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, AustraliaFor vacant IBF Pan Pacific super-middleweight title
18Win12–6 Cornelius Carr PTS628 Feb 200127 years, 107 days Royal Garden Hotel, London, England
17Loss11–6 Raymond Joval MDMD27 Jan 200127 years, 75 days Jaap Edenhal, Amsterdam, NetherlandsFor IBO middleweight title
16Loss11–5 Howard Eastman PTS1216 Sep 200026 years, 308 days York Hall, London, EnglandLost Commonwealth middleweight title
15Win11–4 Neville Brown TKO9 (12)19 Jun 200026 years, 219 daysMeadowside Leisure Centre, Burton, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
14Loss10–4Jerry ElliottUD86 May 200026 years, 175 days Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
13Win10–3Paul WesleyUD613 Apr 200026 years, 152 daysNew Connaught Rooms, London, England
12Win9–3Sakeasi DakuaTKO4 (8)4 Dec 199926 years, 21 days Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji
11Loss8–3 Glen Kelly UD1228 Sep 199925 years, 319 days District Junior Rugby Football League, Sydney, AustraliaFor IBF Pan Pacific and Australian light-heavyweight titles
10Win8–2Brad MayoUD129 Jul 199925 years, 238 days Wollongong, AustraliaWon vacant Australian middleweight title
9Win7–2Mosese SoroviTKO11 (12)7 May 199925 years, 175 days Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, AustraliaWon vacant Australian super-middleweight title
8Win6–2Dale WestermanUD825 Oct 199824 years, 346 daysGlasshouse, Melbourne, Australia
7Win5–2Marty FogasUD824 May 199824 years, 192 days Crown, Melbourne, Australia
6Win4–2Marc BargeroUD817 Apr 199824 years, 155 days Mount Pritchard Community Club, Sydney, Australia
5Win3–2Leon RouseUD420 Feb 199824 years, 99 daysThe Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, US
4Loss2–2Adrian BellinSD1228 Nov 199724 years, 15 daysCorio Leisure Centre, Geelong, AustraliaLost Australian cruiserweight title
3Loss2–1Kevin KellyUD1215 Aug 199723 years, 275 days Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian and vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight titles
2Win2–0Peter KinsellaKO12 (12), 2:333 Jun 199723 years, 202 days Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, AustraliaWon Australian cruiserweight title
1Win1–0Heath StentonUD420 Apr 199723 years, 158 daysBillboard Niteclub, Melbourne, Australia

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References

  1. 1 2 Premier Boxing Champions tale of the tape prior to the Sergiy Derevyanchenko fight.
  2. "Oldest middleweight boxing world champion". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  3. Campbell, Brian (6 October 2014). "Soliman: 'Taylor's fighting the champ'". ESPN. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  4. Fischer, Doug (7 October 2014). "Q&A: Sam Soliman". The Ring . Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  5. Boxing record for Sam Soliman from BoxRec (registration required)
  6. Associated Press (7 March 2007). "Mundine Stops Soliman in 9, Wins WBA Title". BoxingScene. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  7. Daniels, Mark (7 November 2007). "Bika lands title". Boston Herald . Digital First Media. Retrieved 28 April 2024.
  8. Walter, Brad (29 May 2008). "Mundine gets out of Underbelly turf with title intact". The Sydney Morning Herald . Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  9. "Soliman beats Sturm to win IBF middleweight title". 31 May 2014.
  10. Rafael, Dan (30 April 2013). "Sam Soliman suspended 9 months". ESPN. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  11. "Sam Soliman Over The Moon With Court Victory in Germany". BoxingScene. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  12. Christ, Scott (8 October 2014). "Jermain Taylor back in the mix after win over Sam Soliman". SB Nation . Vox Media. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  13. Kieza, Grantlee (8 April 2017). "After 20 years in the ring, former world champion Sam Soliman could be fighting his last bout". The Courier-Mail . Queensland Newspapers. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Peter Kinsella
Australian cruiserweight champion
3 June 1997 – 28 November 1997
Succeeded by
Adrian Bellin
Vacant
Title last held by
John Mugabi
Australian
super-middleweight champion

7 May 1999 – July 1999
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Marc Bargero
Vacant
Title last held by
Marc Bargero
Australian middleweight champion
9 July 1999 – October 1999
Vacated
Vacant
Title last held by
Alain Bonnamie
Commonwealth
middleweight champion

19 June 2000 – 16 September 2000
Succeeded by
Vacant
Title last held by
Darren Obah
IBF Pan Pacific
middleweight champion

24 July 2002 – 10 December 2005
Lost eliminator for world title
Vacant
Title next held by
Peter Mitrevski Jr.
Preceded by
Tokutaro Toyozumi
OPBF middleweight champion
7 September 2003 – October 2004
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Sakio Bika
Vacant
Title last held by
Ben Crampton
IBO Asia Pacific
middleweight champion

16 August 2009 – October 2009
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Luke Sharp
IBF Australasian
middleweight champion

4 October 2009 – 23 September 2010
Won Pan Pacific title
Vacant
Title next held by
Robbie Bryant
New title IBF Pan Pacific
middleweight champion
Interim title

19 February 2012 – 24 August 2012
Won eliminator for world title
Vacant
Vacant
Title last held by
Dmitry Chudinov
PABA middleweight champion
Interim title

11 December 2013 – May 2014
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Mark Lucas
Minor world boxing titles
New title WBF (Foundation)
middleweight champion
Interim title

4 October 2009 – 13 March 2010
Won full title
Vacant
Vacant
Title last held by
Kreshnik Qato
WBF (Foundation)
middleweight champion

13 March 2010 – September 2010
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Shannan Taylor
Vacant
Title last held by
Junior Castillo
WBF (Foundation)
middleweight champion

12 April 2019 – 12 April 2019
Retired
Vacant
Major world boxing titles
Preceded by IBF middleweight champion
31 May 2014 – 8 October 2014
Succeeded by
Records
Preceded byOldest middleweight world champion
Age 40

31 May 2014 – 4 March 2023
Succeeded by
Preceded byOldest boxer to win their
first world title

Age 40

31 May 2014 – present
Incumbent