Sam Soliman


Sam Soliman is an Australian former professional boxer, kickboxer and mixed martial artist. In boxing he competed from 1997 to 2019, and held the IBF middleweight title in 2014.

Kickboxing career

Soliman is a former world champion in kickboxing, and also competed in Muay Thai.

Professional boxing career

On 20 April 1997, Soliman made his professional boxing debut, defeating Heath Stenton by four-round unanimous decision. In the first half of his career he would fight for and win a multitude of regional titles, from light-middleweight all the way 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. In a rematch on 28 May 2008, this time with Mundine as defending champion, Soliman lost by UD.
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. 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. In October 2016, Soliman was exonerated by a German court which judged the Federation to have acted unlawfully, thus overturning the no contest result. 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.

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.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
63Win47–14–1 Mark LucasUD1212 Apr 2019Pavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant World Boxing Foundation middleweight title
6246–14–1 Tej Pratap SinghMD1027 Jul 2018Pavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaWBA Oceania middleweight title at stake;
Originally an MD win for Soliman, later ruled an NC after incorrect referee calls
61Draw46–14–1Wes Capper1217 Mar 2018Pavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaFor vacant IBF International middleweight title
60Win46–14Balazs HorvathTKO3, 1:2122 Apr 2017Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
59Loss45–14Serhiy DerevianchenkoTKO2, 2:4121 Jul 2016Foxwoods Resort Casino, Ledyard, Connecticut, US
58Loss45–13Dominic WadeSD1226 Jun 2015Little Creek Casino Resort, Shelton, Washington, US
57Loss45–12Jermain TaylorUD128 Oct 2014Beau Rivage, Biloxi, Mississippi, USLost IBF middleweight title
56Win45–11Felix SturmUD1231 May 2014König Palast, Krefeld, GermanyWon IBF middleweight title
55Win44–11Les SherringtonTKO9, 2:1211 Dec 2013Pavilion, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant PABA interim middleweight title
54Win43–11Felix SturmUD121 Feb 2013ISS Dome, Düsseldorf, Germany
53Win42–11Giovanni LorenzoUD1224 Aug 2012Geelong Arena, Geelong, Australia
52Win41–11Garth WoodUD1219 Feb 2012State Sports Centre, Sydney, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Pan Pacific interim middleweight title
51Win40–11Eromosele AlbertUD1218 Nov 2011Pavilion, Melbourne, Australia
50Win39–11Pradeep SinghKO10, 1:2723 Sep 2010Flemington Racecourse Atrium Room, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
49Win38–11Shannon McMahonTKO11, 2:2013 Mar 2010Moonee Valley Racecourse, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant World Boxing Foundation middleweight title
48Win37–11Les PiperTKO7, 1:434 Oct 2008Peninsula/Shed 14 at Docklands Central Pier, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Australasian and WBF interim middleweight titles
47Win36–11Sintung KietbusabaTKO7, 1:4016 Aug 2008Peninsula/Shed 14 at Docklands Central Pier, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBO Asia Pacific middleweight title
46Loss35–11Anthony MundineUD1228 May 2008Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, AustraliaFor WBA super middleweight title
45Win35–10Wayne JohnsenUD66 Nov 2007TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, Massachusetts, USThe Contender: season finale
44Loss34–10Sakio BikaUD830 Oct 2007Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, USThe Contender: semi-final
43Win34–9Max AlexanderUD518 Sep 2007Contender Arena, Los Angeles, California, USThe Contender: first round
42Loss33–9Anthony MundineKO9, 2:267 Mar 2007Entertainment Centre, Sydney, AustraliaFor vacant WBA super middleweight title
41Win33–8Enrique OrnelasMD1017 Nov 2006Soboba Casino, San Jacinto, California, US
40Win32–8Raúl Jorge MuñozTKO6, 1:493 Mar 2006Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
39Loss31–8Winky WrightUD1210 Dec 2005Mohegan Sun Arena, Montville, Connecticut, US
38Win31–7Fernando ZunigaUD1021 Jul 2005Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino, Lemoore, California, US
37Win30–7Miguel JulioTKO4, 2:2023 Feb 2005Vodafone Arena, Melbourne, Australia
36Win29–7Jose Alberto ClaveroKO7, 1:1312 Dec 2004Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
35Win28–7Diego CastilloTKO4, 2:356 Nov 2004University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Australia
34Win27–7Raymond JovalUD1218 Jul 2004Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, US
33Win26–7Plaisakda BoonmalertTKO3, 1:2528 May 2004Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, Australia
32Win25–7MoechrodyTKO3 16 Apr 2004Dandenong Stadium, Melbourne, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
31Win24–7Jorge Andres SclarandiTKO8, 0:017 Mar 2004Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
30Win23–7Juan Carlos LettieriKO1, 1:2923 Jan 2004Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
29Win22–7Silvio Walter RojasTKO4 5 Dec 2003Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
28Win21–7Satoru SuzukiUD121 Nov 2003Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF middleweight title
27Win20–7Tokutaro ToyozumiSD127 Sep 2003Masukicho Gym, Kumamoto, JapanWon OPBF middleweight title
26Win19–7Ramon Arturo BritezUD1212 Aug 2003Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
25Win18–7Nader HamdanUD122 Jun 2003Panthers World of Entertainment, Sydney, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
24Win17–7Mike CopeUD106 Dec 2002State Netball and Hockey Centre, Melbourne, Australia
23Win16–7Sakio BikaMD1215 Oct 2002Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, AustraliaRetained IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
22Win15–7Sean SullivanUD1224 Jul 2002Albert Park Powerhouse, Melbourne, AustraliaWon vacant IBF Pan Pacific middleweight title
21Win14–7Ojay AbrahamsPTS415 Jun 2002Tottenham Green Leisure Centre, London, England
20Win13–7Eric TeymourPTS826 Apr 2002Thistle Hotel, Glasgow, Scotland
19Loss12–7Anthony MundineSD123 Sep 2001Entertainment Centre, Wollongong, AustraliaFor vacant IBF Pan Pacific super-middleweight title
18Win12–6Cornelius CarrPTS628 Feb 2001Royal Garden Hotel, London, England
17Loss11–6Raymond JovalMD27 Jan 2001Jaap Edenhal, Amsterdam, NetherlandsFor IBO middleweight title
16Loss11–5Howard Eastman1216 Sep 2000York Hall, London, EnglandLost Commonwealth middleweight title
15Win11–4Neville BrownTKO9 19 Jun 2000Meadowside Leisure Centre, Burton, EnglandWon vacant Commonwealth middleweight title
14Loss10–4Jerry ElliottUD86 May 2000Ballsporthalle, Frankfurt, Germany
13Win10–3Paul WesleyUD613 Apr 2000New Connaught Rooms, London, England
12Win9–3Sakeasi DakuaTKO4 4 Dec 1999Prince Charles Park, Nadi, Fiji
11Loss8–3Glen KellyUD1228 Sep 1999District Junior Rugby Football League, Sydney, AustraliaFor IBF Pan Pacific and Australian light-heavyweight titles
10Win8–2Brad MayoUD129 Jul 1999Wollongong, AustraliaWon vacant Australian middleweight title
9Win7–2Mosese Sorovi11 7 May 1999Empire Theatre, Toowoomba, AustraliaWon vacant Australian super-middleweight title
8Win6–2Dale WestermanUD825 Oct 1998Glasshouse, Melbourne, Australia
7Win5–2Marty FogasUD824 May 1998Crown, Melbourne, Australia
6Win4–2Marc BargeroUD817 Apr 1998Mount Pritchard Community Club, Sydney, Australia
5Win3–2Leon RouseUD420 Feb 1998The Roxy, Boston, Massachusetts, US
4Loss2–2Adrian Bellin1228 Nov 1997Corio Leisure Centre, Geelong, AustraliaLost Australian cruiserweight title
3Loss2–1Kevin KellyUD1215 Aug 1997Marrickville RSL Club, Sydney, AustraliaFor Australian and vacant Commonwealth light-middleweight titles
2Win2–0Peter Kinsella12, 2:333 Jun 1997Southport RSL Club, Gold Coast, AustraliaWon Australian cruiserweight title
1Win1–0Heath Stenton420 Apr 1997Billboard Niteclub, Melbourne, Australia