Sam Soliman

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+1⁄2 in (182 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
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]

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 fights 49 wins 19 losses
By knockout 19 3
By decision 30 16
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Age Location Notes
71 Loss 50–19–1 (1) Yuki Nonaka UD 12 6 Apr 2024 50 years, 145 days Sangyo Shinko Center, Sakai, Japan
70 Loss 50–18–1 (1) Alex Walters UD 8 9 Dec 2023 50 years, 26 days Orion Function Centre, Campsie, Australia
69 Loss 50–17–1 (1) Joel Camilleri TKO 1 (8), 1:05 9 Dec 2022 49 years, 26 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
68 Win 50–16–1 (1) Troy O'Meley TD 4 (8) 3 Jul 2022 48 years, 232 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
67 Win 49–16–1 (1) Jesse White UD 8 19 Mar 2022 48 years, 126 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
66 Win 48–16–1 (1) Jesse White SD 6 11 Dec 2021 48 years, 28 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
65 Loss 47–16–1 (1) Victor Nagbe UD 10 10 Jul 2021 47 years, 239 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
64 Loss 47–15–1 (1) Sakio Bika UD 8 31 Mar 2021 47 years, 138 days Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia
63 Win 47–14–1 (1) Mark Lucas UD 12 12 Apr 2019 45 years, 150 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant WBF (Foundation) middleweight title
62 NC 46–14–1 (1) Tej Pratap Singh NC 10 27 Jul 2018 44 years, 256 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia WBA Oceania middleweight title at stake;
Originally MD win for Soliman, later ruled NC after incorrect referee calls
61 Draw 46–14–1 Wes Capper MD 12 17 Mar 2018 44 years, 124 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia For vacant IBF International middleweight title
60 Win 46–14 Balazs Horvath TKO 3 (10), 1:21 22 Apr 2017 43 years, 160 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
59 Loss 45–14 Serhiy Derevianchenko TKO 2 (12), 2:41 21 Jul 2016 42 years, 251 days Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
58 Loss 45–13 Dominic Wade SD 12 26 Jun 2015 41 years, 225 days Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, US
57 Loss 45–12 Jermain Taylor UD 12 8 Oct 2014 40 years, 329 days Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi, US Lost IBF middleweight title
56 Win 45–11 Felix Sturm UD 12 31 May 2014 40 years, 199 days König Palast, Krefeld, Germany Won IBF middleweight title
55 Win 44–11 Les Sherrington TKO 9 (12), 2:12 11 Dec 2013 40 years, 28 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant PABA interim middleweight title
54 Win 43–11 Felix Sturm UD 12 1 Feb 2013 39 years, 80 days ISS Dome, Düsseldorf, Germany
53 Win 42–11 Giovanni Lorenzo UD 12 24 Aug 2012 38 years, 285 days Geelong Arena, Geelong, Australia
52 Win 41–11 Garth Wood UD 12 19 Feb 2012 38 years, 98 days State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific interim middleweight title
51 Win 40–11 Eromosele Albert UD 12 18 Nov 2011 38 years, 5 days Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
50 Win 39–11 Pradeep Singh KO 10 (12), 1:27 23 Sep 2010 36 years, 314 days Flemington Racecourse Atrium Room, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
49 Win 38–11 Shannon McMahon TKO 11 (12), 2:20 13 Mar 2010 36 years, 120 days Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant WBF (Foundation) middleweight title
48 Win 37–11 Les Piper TKO 7 (12), 1:43 4 Oct 2008 34 years, 326 days Peninsula/Shed 14 at Docklands Central Pier, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant IBF Australasian and WBF (Foundation) interim middleweight titles
47 Win 36–11 Sintung Kietbusaba TKO 7 (12), 1:40 16 Aug 2008 34 years, 277 days Peninsula/Shed 14 at Docklands Central Pier, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant IBO Asia Pacific middleweight title
46 Loss 35–11 Anthony Mundine UD 12 28 May 2008 34 years, 197 days Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia For WBA super middleweight title
45 Win 35–10 Wayne Johnsen UD 6 6 Nov 2007 33 years, 358 days TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US The Contender: season finale
44 Loss 34–10 Sakio Bika UD 8 30 Oct 2007 33 years, 351 days Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, US The Contender: semi-final
43 Win 34–9 Max Alexander UD 5 18 Sep 2007 33 years, 309 days Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, US The Contender: first round
42 Loss 33–9 Anthony Mundine KO 9 (12), 2:26 7 Mar 2007 33 years, 114 days Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia For vacant WBA super middleweight title
41 Win 33–8 Enrique Ornelas MD 10 17 Nov 2006 33 years, 4 days Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, US
40 Win 32–8 Raúl Jorge Muñoz TKO 6 (10), 1:49 3 Mar 2006 32 years, 110 days Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
39 Loss 31–8 Winky Wright UD 12 10 Dec 2005 32 years, 27 days Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
38 Win 31–7 Fernando Zuniga UD 10 21 Jul 2005 31 years, 250 days Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, US
37 Win 30–7 Miguel Julio TKO 4 (10), 2:20 23 Feb 2005 31 years, 102 days Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia
36 Win 29–7 Jose Alberto Clavero KO 7 (10), 1:13 12 Dec 2004 31 years, 29 days Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
35 Win 28–7 Diego Castillo TKO 4 (10), 2:35 6 Nov 2004 30 years, 359 days University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
34 Win 27–7 Raymond Joval UD 12 18 Jul 2004 30 years, 248 days Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
33 Win 26–7 Plaisakda Boonmalert TKO 3 (10), 1:25 28 May 2004 30 years, 197 days Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
32 Win 25–7 Moechrody TKO 3 (12) 16 Apr 2004 30 years, 155 days Dandenong Stadium, Melbourne, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
31 Win 24–7 Jorge Andres Sclarandi TKO 8 (12), 0:01 7 Mar 2004 30 years, 115 days Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
30 Win 23–7 Juan Carlos Lettieri KO 1 (12), 1:29 23 Jan 2004 30 years, 71 days Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
29 Win 22–7 Silvio Walter Rojas TKO 4 (12) 5 Dec 2003 30 years, 22 days Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
28 Win 21–7 Satoru Suzuki UD 12 1 Nov 2003 29 years, 353 days Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained OPBF middleweight title
27 Win 20–7 Tokutaro Toyozumi SD 12 7 Sep 2003 29 years, 298 days Masukicho Gym, Kumamoto, Japan Won OPBF middleweight title
26 Win 19–7 Ramon Arturo Britez UD 12 12 Aug 2003 29 years, 272 days Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
25 Win 18–7 Nader Hamdan UD 12 2 Jun 2003 29 years, 201 days Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
24 Win 17–7 Mike Cope UD 10 6 Dec 2002 29 years, 23 days State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne, Australia
23 Win 16–7 Sakio Bika MD 12 15 Oct 2002 28 years, 336 days Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
22 Win 15–7 Sean Sullivan UD 12 24 Jul 2002 28 years, 253 days Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
21 Win 14–7 Ojay Abrahams PTS 4 15 Jun 2002 28 years, 214 days Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, London, England
20 Win 13–7 Eric Teymour PTS 8 26 Apr 2002 28 years, 164 days Thistle Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
19 Loss 12–7 Anthony Mundine SD 12 3 Sep 2001 27 years, 294 days Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Australia For vacant IBF Pan Pacific super-middleweight title
18 Win 12–6 Cornelius Carr PTS 6 28 Feb 2001 27 years, 107 days Royal Garden Hotel, London, England
17 Loss 11–6 Raymond Joval MD MD 27 Jan 2001 27 years, 75 days Jaap Edenhal, Amsterdam, Netherlands For IBO middleweight title
16 Loss 11–5 Howard Eastman PTS 12 16 Sep 2000 26 years, 308 days York Hall, London, England Lost Commonwealth middleweight title
15 Win 11–4 Neville Brown TKO 9 (12) 19 Jun 2000 26 years, 219 days Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton, England Won vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
14 Loss 10–4 Jerry Elliott UD 8 6 May 2000 26 years, 175 days Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
13 Win 10–3 Paul Wesley UD 6 13 Apr 2000 26 years, 152 days New Connaught Rooms, London, England
12 Win 9–3 Sakeasi Dakua TKO 4 (8) 4 Dec 1999 26 years, 21 days Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji
11 Loss 8–3 Glen Kelly UD 12 28 Sep 1999 25 years, 319 days District Junior Rugby Football League, Sydney, Australia For IBF Pan Pacific and Australian light-heavyweight titles
10 Win 8–2 Brad Mayo UD 12 9 Jul 1999 25 years, 238 days Wollongong, Australia Won vacant Australian middleweight title
9 Win 7–2 Mosese Sorovi TKO 11 (12) 7 May 1999 25 years, 175 days Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Australia Won vacant Australian super-middleweight title
8 Win 6–2 Dale Westerman UD 8 25 Oct 1998 24 years, 346 days Glasshouse, Melbourne, Australia
7 Win 5–2 Marty Fogas UD 8 24 May 1998 24 years, 192 days Crown, Melbourne, Australia
6 Win 4–2 Marc Bargero UD 8 17 Apr 1998 24 years, 155 days Mount Pritchard Community Club, Sydney, Australia
5 Win 3–2 Leon Rouse UD 4 20 Feb 1998 24 years, 99 days The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, US
4 Loss 2–2 Adrian Bellin SD 12 28 Nov 1997 24 years, 15 days Corio Leisure Centre, Geelong, Australia Lost Australian cruiserweight title
3 Loss 2–1 Kevin Kelly UD 12 15 Aug 1997 23 years, 275 days Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, Australia For Australian and vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight titles
2 Win 2–0 Peter Kinsella KO 12 (12), 2:33 3 Jun 1997 23 years, 202 days Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia Won Australian cruiserweight title
1 Win 1–0 Heath Stenton UD 4 20 Apr 1997 23 years, 158 days Billboard Niteclub, Melbourne, Australia

References

  1. ^ a b 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 by Oldest middleweight world champion
Age 40
31 May 2014 – 4 March 2023 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Oldest boxer to win their
first world title
Age 40
31 May 2014 – present 		Incumbent