The junior-lightweight prospect Oscar “La Bestia” Bonifacino has signed a promotional deal with Sampson Lewkowicz.
Bonifacino, 21, is 1-0 (1 KO) and from Maldonado on the southern coast of Uruguay. He started boxing in 2021 because he was tormented by bullies for being gay.
“I had already been hurt a couple of times, and I was having problems on the street,” he said. “Boxing was my way of channelling all my anger.
“Signing with Sampson was the best thing that could happen to me. Through my quest to be world champion, he can help my story reach all those who need it to be free and not judged. I fight for all those who at some point could not raise their voices and I will always be grateful to Sampson for giving me the opportunity.”
Bonifacino has been trained from the start by Elizabeth Cabrera at Knockoutcentro Gym, and is considered an explosive counter-puncher. He made his professional debut in February, when scoring a second-round knockout oof his countryman Matias Agustin Gabrielli.
“I am very proud to be helping this young man fight for himself and for the bullied and oppressed people whose stories he knows only too well,” said Lewkowicz. “Oscar is a terrific role model for boxing with an incredible story of fighting your way out of hard times. I am proud to be his promoter.”
Bonifacino is training in Montevideo ahead of his next fight, on June 13 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, as part of the WBA’s annual KO Drugs Festival.