SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS PROSPECT CRAIG BAKER

Sampson Lewkowicz of Sampson Boxing proudly announces the signing of 30-year-old light heavyweight Craig "El Gato Negro" Baker (14-0, 10 KOs), of Houston Texas, to a promotional contract.

A natural to the sport, Baker entered Lopez Boxing Club in 2005, weighing a whopping 293 lbs and looking to cut weight. Baker lost his amateur debut and then went on to win the Texas State Golden Gloves and the Texas State USA Championships in both 2007 and 2008. Baker was also runner up at the National PAL Tournament in 2007, a quarter finalist in both the National USA Championships Tournament and the National Golden Gloves, which earned him a USA boxing national ranking of #3. As a professional, the undefeated Baker has become a seasoned pressure fighter who wears opponents down intelligently.

“It feels great to be working with Sampson,” said Baker. “It’s wonderful to have the opportunity to actually be able to be successful. All I needed was a shot. I’m going to make the most of it.”

Baker's trainer, Juan Lopez of Lopez Boxing in in Bay Town, Texas, says he brought his star pupil to Sampson based on word of mouth.

“I met Sampson when Chris John fought Rocky Juarez in Houston. I was the one that coordinated the training camp for John. Everything I heard about Sampson from John’s people, Craig Christian and Tony Tolj, I liked. Craig gave him the nickname ‘The Picasso of Boxing’ because he paints the game of boxing, and I always thought to myself that if I ever have a kid good enough to fight at the international level, I would go to him. Well, now I do. And that’s why I took Craig to Sampson. Thanks to Sampson for giving us the opportunity. Staying active is very hard here in Texas and he’s going to really help us with that.”

“Craig has tremendous potential,” said Sampson Lewkowicz. “I have already started work to put him in important fights and show off his talent. I expect he will be an established contender within a very short time. I’m looking forward to working with Juan and Craig and helping them get the most of his career.”