Boxing

European heavyweight champion Sam faces tough challenge

25.09 - Hamburg/Buffalo (cr) - Nobody will believe this guy is the Bull of Bosporus. Anybody who’s ever had the chance to get to know European heavyweight champion Sinan Samil Sam, 29, is heavily impressed: a cool, witty, smart person.

A boxer?, they might ask. Watch out!, people who know him from his ring performances will say.

Sinan says laconically: “I’m used to being underestimated by everybody. As long as my opponents do the same, I’m fine with it.“

His next opponent in Buffalo, New York will definitely not. After a streak of wins in Europe Sinan Samil Sam is ready to conquer America – fans and experts alike. Boxing’s champions league and the most interesting boxing market worldwide wait for him to arrive. He’s one of the new faces to become challengers soon.

For ten rounds of boxing Sinan Samil Sam, a Turk born in Frankfurt, Germany will step into the ring with Juan Carlos Gomez who had boxed successfully for Sam’s Hamburg-based promotion company Universum. The bout is televised live on HBO and on Premiere TV in Germany as well as in Turkey and many other European countries.

Although this is not a title fight, it is all about being positioned for a title shot. Sinan Samil Sam is ranked WBC # 9, IBF # 14, and WBO # 5. Both Sam (18 – 0, 11 KOs ) and Gomez (36 – 0, 31 KOs) are undefeated. They are almost the same age, the same height (6 feet, 4 inches). One can punch tremendously hard with his right (Sam), the other is a southpaw (Gomez). Both know each other too well from sparring – they had to be separated at the Universum gym due to too much aggressiveness. Both share the dream of a world championship. The bull and the panther – one has to retreat. . .

“Juan won’t underestimate me”, says Sinan, “he is a smart boxer, good foot work, nice to watch, but lazy in his training discipline. Everybody knows his qualities, he still has a good name, ex-cruiserweight champion. Nobody loves southpaws. However, nobody asks this question: Can he handle me?” Sinan says, Gomez does not know what he is facing: “245 pounds of power will roll towards him.”

These words are normally too offensive in Sinan Samil Sam’s sense. He would always refrain from fight talk, from offending opponents or anybody else. He is the thoughtful guy, quiet, and polite. He has seen too many talkative hot shots falling down the career ladder too fast – including Gomez.

“There is a lot of emotion and suspense involved when Gomez and I step into the same ring”, says Sam. Usually, Sinan Samil Sam is one of the coolest boxers at Universum Box-Promotion. He does not even want to comment on or step into the Klitschkos’ footsteps. “They are following their way, I’m into boxing because I like it very much, always did. If it was not for the money, it would be for the funny part of it.”

In his home country Turkey and in Germany Sinan is very popular, since fights are broadcast live. His sensational KO victory over highly estimated Englishman Danny Williams earlier this year earned him good ratings and respect all over Europe.

“Only with good opponents”, Sinan says, “you can deliver a good performance.” Universum trainer Michael Timm said: “Sinan is absolutely determined to fight Juan. When I was Juan’s trainer, I was desperate because he wasted so much talent by flunking training sessions. If Juan is back on the road for boxing, this fight will be one of the best we’ve had this year in the heavy division.”

In his private life Sinan Samil Sam is taking care of his wife Funda, a trained kindergarden teacher. And he is absolutely fond of animals. At home in Ankara he owns a horse, a rottweiler called “Tyson”, ducks, turkeys and pigeons.

He loves pets, but on September 27 he will go hunting for the black panther Juan Carlos Gomez.

A Tale of the Tape for Gomez-Sam as well as info files for press members can be found on www.boxing.de.

0 comments
 


Bookmark and Share

 

If you detect any issues with the legality of this site, problems are always unintentional and will be corrected with notification.
The views and opinions of all writers expressed on eastsideboxing.com do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Management.
Copyright © 2001- 2015 East Side Boxing.com - Privacy Policy