Sam Soliman
Born (1973-11-13) 13 November 1973
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 fights66
Wins49
Wins by KO19
Losses17
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 IBF middleweight title in 2014.

Kickboxing career

Soliman is a former world champion in kickboxing, and also competed in Muay Thai.[2][3]

Professional boxing career

On 20 April 1997, Soliman made his professional boxing debut, defeating Heath Stenton by four-round unanimous decision (UD). In the first half of his career he won a multitude of regional titles, from light-middleweight to cruiserweight. Most notably 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.[4] In a rematch on 28 May 2008, this time with Mundine as defending champion, Soliman lost by UD.[5]

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.[6] 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.[7] In October 2016, Soliman was exonerated by a German court which judged the Federation to have acted unlawfully, thus overturning the no contest result.[8] However, in 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.[9]

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.[10] In 1996, he competed as a contestant on season three of Australian Gladiators.

Professional boxing record

68 fights 49 wins 17 losses
By knockout 19 3
By decision 30 14
Draws 1
No contests 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
68 Loss 48–17–1 (1) Joel Camilleri TKO 1 (8) 9 Dec 2022 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
67 Win 49–16–1 (1) Troy O'Meley TD 4 (8) 3 Jul 2022 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
66 Win 48–16–1 (1) Jesse White SD 6 11 Dec 2021 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
65 Loss 47–16–1 (1) Victor Nagbe UD 10 10 Jul 2021 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
64 Loss 47–15–1 (1) Sakio Bika UD 8 31 Mar 2021 Entertainment Centre, Newcastle, Australia
63 Win 47–14–1 (1) Mark Lucas UD 12 12 Apr 2019 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant WBF (Foundation) middleweight title
62 NC 46–14–1 (1) Tej Pratap Singh MD 10 27 Jul 2018 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia WBA Oceania middleweight title at stake;
Originally an MD win for Soliman, later ruled an NC after incorrect referee calls
61 Draw 46–14–1 Wes Capper MD 12 17 Mar 2018 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia For vacant IBF International middleweight title
60 Win 46–14 Balazs Horvath TKO 22 Apr 2017 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
59 Loss 45–14 Serhiy Derevianchenko TKO 2 (12), 2:41 21 Jul 2016 Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
58 Loss 45–13 Dominic Wade SD 12 26 Jun 2015 Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, US
57 Loss 45–12 Jermain Taylor UD 12 8 Oct 2014 Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi, US Lost IBF middleweight title
56 Win 45–11 Felix Sturm UD 12 31 May 2014 König Palast, Krefeld, Germany Won IBF middleweight title
55 Win 44–11 Les Sherrington TKO 9 (12), 2:12 11 Dec 2013 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant PABA interim middleweight title
54 Win 43–11 Felix Sturm UD 12 1 Feb 2013 ISS Dome, Düsseldorf, Germany
53 Win 42–11 Giovanni Lorenzo UD 12 24 Aug 2012 Geelong Arena, Geelong, Australia
52 Win 41–11 Garth Wood UD 12 19 Feb 2012 State Sports Centre, Sydney, Australia Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific interim middleweight title
51 Win 40–11 Eromosele Albert UD 12 18 Nov 2011 Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
50 Win 39–11 Pradeep Singh KO 10 (12), 1:27 23 Sep 2010 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 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 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 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 Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia For WBA super middleweight title
45 Win 35–10 Wayne Johnsen UD 6 6 Nov 2007 TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, US The Contender: season finale
44 Loss 34–10 Sakio Bika UD 8 30 Oct 2007 Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, US The Contender: semi-final
43 Win 34–9 Max Alexander UD 5 18 Sep 2007 Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, US The Contender: first round
42 Loss 33–9 Anthony Mundine KO 9 (12), 2:26 7 Mar 2007 Entertainment Centre, Sydney, Australia For vacant WBA super middleweight title
41 Win 33–8 Enrique Ornelas MD 10 17 Nov 2006 Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, US
40 Win 32–8 Raúl Jorge Muñoz TKO 6 (10), 1:49 3 Mar 2006 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
39 Loss 31–8 Winky Wright UD 12 10 Dec 2005 Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
38 Win 31–7 Fernando Zuniga UD 10 21 Jul 2005 Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, US
37 Win 30–7 Miguel Julio TKO 4 (10), 2:20 23 Feb 2005 Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia
36 Win 29–7 Jose Alberto Clavero KO 7 (10), 1:13 12 Dec 2004 Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
35 Win 28–7 Diego Castillo TKO 4 (10), 2:35 6 Nov 2004 University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
34 Win 27–7 Raymond Joval UD 12 18 Jul 2004 Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
33 Win 26–7 Plaisakda Boonmalert TKO 3 (10), 1:25 28 May 2004 Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
32 Win 25–7 Moechrody TKO 3 (12) 16 Apr 2004 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 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 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 Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
28 Win 21–7 Satoru Suzuki UD 12 1 Nov 2003 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained OPBF middleweight title
27 Win 20–7 Tokutaro Toyozumi SD 12 7 Sep 2003 Masukicho Gym, Kumamoto, Japan Won OPBF middleweight title
26 Win 19–7 Ramon Arturo Britez UD 12 12 Aug 2003 Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
25 Win 18–7 Nader Hamdan UD 12 2 Jun 2003 Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
24 Win 17–7 Mike Cope UD 10 6 Dec 2002 State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne, Australia
23 Win 16–7 Sakio Bika MD 12 15 Oct 2002 Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, Australia Retained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
22 Win 15–7 Sean Sullivan UD 12 24 Jul 2002 Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, Australia Won vacant IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
21 Win 14–7 Ojay Abrahams PTS 4 15 Jun 2002 Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, London, England
20 Win 13–7 Eric Teymour PTS 8 26 Apr 2002 Thistle Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
19 Loss 12–7 Anthony Mundine SD 12 3 Sep 2001 Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, Australia For vacant IBF Pan Pacific super-middleweight title
18 Win 12–6 Cornelius Carr PTS 6 28 Feb 2001 Royal Garden Hotel, London, England
17 Loss 11–6 Raymond Joval MD MD 27 Jan 2001 Jaap Edenhal, Amsterdam, Netherlands For IBO middleweight title
16 Loss 11–5 Howard Eastman PTS 12 16 Sep 2000 York Hall, London, England Lost Commonwealth middleweight title
15 Win 11–4 Neville Brown TKO 9 (12) 19 Jun 2000 Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton, England Won vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
14 Loss 10–4 Jerry Elliott UD 8 6 May 2000 Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
13 Win 10–3 Paul Wesley UD 6 13 Apr 2000 New Connaught Rooms, London, England
12 Win 9–3 Sakeasi Dakua TKO 4 (8) 4 Dec 1999 Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji
11 Loss 8–3 Glen Kelly UD 12 28 Sep 1999 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 Wollongong, Australia Won vacant Australian middleweight title
9 Win 7–2 Mosese Sorovi TKO 11 (12) 7 May 1999 Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, Australia Won vacant Australian super-middleweight title
8 Win 6–2 Dale Westerman UD 8 25 Oct 1998 Glasshouse, Melbourne, Australia
7 Win 5–2 Marty Fogas UD 8 24 May 1998 Crown, Melbourne, Australia
6 Win 4–2 Marc Bargero UD 8 17 Apr 1998 Mount Pritchard Community Club, Sydney, Australia
5 Win 3–2 Leon Rouse UD 4 20 Feb 1998 The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, US
4 Loss 2–2 Adrian Bellin SD 12 28 Nov 1997 Corio Leisure Centre, Geelong, Australia Lost Australian cruiserweight title
3 Loss 2–1 Kevin Kelly UD 12 15 Aug 1997 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 Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, Australia Won Australian cruiserweight title
1 Win 1–0 Heath Stenton UD 4 20 Apr 1997 Billboard Niteclub, Melbourne, Australia

References

  1. 1 2 Premier Boxing Champions tale of the tape prior to the Sergiy Derevyanchenko fight.
  2. ↑ Campbell, Brian (6 October 2014). "Soliman: 'Taylor's fighting the champ'". ESPN. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  3. ↑ Fischer, Doug (7 October 2014). "Q&A: Sam Soliman". The Ring. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  4. ↑ Associated Press (7 March 2007). "Mundine Stops Soliman in 9, Wins WBA Title". BoxingScene. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  5. ↑ Walter, Brad (29 May 2008). "Mundine gets out of Underbelly turf with title intact". The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  6. ↑ "Soliman beats Sturm to win IBF middleweight title". 31 May 2014.
  7. ↑ Rafael, Dan (30 April 2013). "Sam Soliman suspended 9 months". ESPN. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  8. ↑ "Sam Soliman Over The Moon With Court Victory in Germany". BoxingScene. 20 October 2016. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  9. ↑ Christ, Scott (8 October 2014). "Jermain Taylor back in the mix after win over Sam Soliman". SB Nation. Vox Media. Retrieved 11 January 2017.
  10. ↑ 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
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