Global Warfare Presser!

November 17, 2005

By David Greene

Heavyweight boxer Sultan Ibragimov (left) watches the hands of Lance Whitaker.--Photo by David Greene

Heavyweight Sultan Ibragimov retaliates with a right hand to the chin of Lance Whitaker.-Photo by David Greene

The taller Lance Whitaker grabs Sultan Ibragimov by the throat during melee.-Photo by David Greene

Members of Warriors Boxing and Gallagher's Steak House tend to injured Sampson Lewkowicz.-Photo by David Greene

Sampson Lewkowicz is stretched out on the floor of Gallagher's and is tended to by members of EMS.-Photo by David Greene

Members of EMS place Lewkowicz in an ambulance, for a trip to St. Vincent's Midtown Hospital.-Photo by David Greene

A police officer holds a flyer for the December 15th, "Global Warfare."-Photo by David Greene

Using an assassin's target to highlight the logo for the upcoming Warriors Boxing card titled: Global Warfare, the punches flew and tables were tossed after a photo-op turned ugly at Gallagher's Steak House in Manhattan on Wednesday.

Promoting the December 15 card at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL., main event combatants Sultan Ibragimov and Lance Whitaker were being directed to pose for a photo when Whitaker appeared to raise a fist over the face of Ibragimov, when the fighter retaliated with a push... no time to lace up the gloves, both fighters then traded shots for the cameras.

When the dust cleared, co-promoter, matchmaker and Ibragimov-advisor Sampson Lewkowicz was stretched out on the floor of the restaurant's main room, unconscious for at least five minutes. He was treated by paramedics and taken to a local hospital. Whitaker quickly disappeared after the mayhem.

As members of Warriors Boxing and Gallagher's tended to the injured Lewkowicz, Ibragimov was asked who threw the first punch, he replied, "I don't remember exactly." Fightnews then asked Ibragimov for a prediction on the fight, if no one is arrested or suspended; he responded, "I'm going to knock him out between the 5th and 10th rounds."

The 6' 2'' Ibragimov (18-0, 15 KO's) a southpaw, is an Olympic Silver Medalist from Rostov-na-Donu, Russia, who captured the WBO Asian Pacific Heavyweight Title in 2004. The 30-year old is also coming off a September knockout of Friday Ahunanya.

Whitaker (31-3-1, 26 KO's) is an orthodox fighter who towers over Ibragimov at 6' 8''. Whitaker, who resides in Van Nuys, CA., is coming off an October victory over Gabe Brown, stopping Brown in the fifth round.

The pay-per-view card also features a heavyweight match-up, a co-main event between Samuel Peter of Las Vegas, NV., (24-1, 21 KO's) who is coming off a loss to Wladimir Klitschko for the NABF Heavyweight Title; and Robert Hawkins of Philadelphia, PA., (21-4, 7 KO's.)

Also on the card will be Ireland's John Duddy, who now resides in Manhattan. No opponent has been named for the middleweight prospect, now (13-0, 12 KO's) who will be making his pay-per-view debut.

Also featured on the card is Colombian junior welterweight Juan Urango (16-0-1, 15 KO's) who holds the WBC Latin American Light Welterweight Title. Urango will be taking on Cesar Bazan for the WBO and IBF Latino Light Welterweight Titles.

Leon Margules, the executive director of Warriors Boxing, stated before the dishes started flying at the 52nd Street restaurant, "We're very excited about this card, this is one you won't want to miss."

With at least one witness saying both fighters threw the KO punch to the chin of Lewkowicz, officers from the NYPD didn't seem too interested in talking to Ibragimov, so it will be interesting to see the reaction by the NYPD and the New York State Athletic Commission.

Meanwhile, New York City passed a law today that could fine fans up to $25,000 for spitting or throwing objects at a player during a sporting event. Our question, does it apply to the participants of a sporting contest as well?

Also today, the House of Representatives voted 233-190 against the forming of the U.S. Boxing Commission. Lawmakers know something's wrong with the sport, but can't agree on its cures.

Lewkowicz was taken to St. Vincent's Midtown Hospital, where a source says he was treated for his injuries and released. No arrests have been made at this time.

Tickets for Global Warfare at the Seminole Hard Rock are $150, $100 and $50 and can be ordered by calling (954) 797-5531. The cost of the pay-per-view is $19.95. If the fight lives up to the preview, it could be an interesting night.

See more from David Greene at Fisticscene.com