By Ben Jacobs
For Javier Fortuna (25-0-1, 18 KOs), tonight's fight against Abner Cotto represents a chance for him to remind the boxing world why he generated such excitement not too long ago. The power puncher from the Dominican Republic was building up a great deal of momentum with his exciting gung-ho style and vicious knockouts, but in his last bout appeared a little fatigued in the closing rounds against Juan Antonio Rodríguez.
BoxingScene caught up with Fortuna's promoter, Sampson Lewkowicz, following the weigh-in to discuss the bout and a couple of the other fighters he represents.
BoxingScene: Sampson, what kind of challenge do you expect from Abner Cotto?
Sampson Lewkowicz: At the press conference, Fortuna said he doesn't want to hear any excuses. He doesn't want to hear any excuses when he knocks Cotto out. We've already had an excuse about the gloves. Cotto wanted to fight with Everlast and in Chicago both boxers have to use the same gloves. So we had a meeting and agreed to Everlast, just so there's no excuse when he gets knocked out.
BoxingScene: I'm sure as his promoter you'd like to see a knockout, right?
Sampson Lewkowicz: Not really me but the television network. It will be good to get a knockout to create a new star. At the moment, HBO have a new star that was just born, Nicolas Walters, Showtime need one who is more or less in the same weight class, a new star, and that will be Javier Fortuna.
BoxingScene: In an interview with BoxingScene a few months ago, Javier told me he wanted to fight Mikey García. However, García is having issues with his promoter, also do you think he will even return to the weight category?
Sampson Lewkowicz: As Mikey García is not fighting we are looking at Yuriorkis Gamboa as a possibility, he's one of the best and Fortuna wants to best.
BoxingScene: I understand that you recently signed Tyson Cave, he was going to fight Kid Galahad. Could that fight still happen?
Sampson Lewkowicz: Tyson Cave will fight in California against Óscar Escandón. They said it was for an interim title but it is not. It is an eliminator to face Scott Quigg. An eliminator between the number two and number five. I'll do a press release soon to confirm that.
BoxingScene: How pleased were you with Gabriel Campillo in his last fight?
Sampson Lewkowicz: It was, as I had said, his last dance. Now we're waiting to see who he will fight next. There were negotiations with Adonis Stevenson, but Showtime took the decision not to approve him as the challenger.
BoxingScene: Is there any update on Sergio Martínez?
Sampson Lewkowicz: Sergio will be with me in Cordoba, Argentina on November 15 for an event. We're still not thinking about a fight for him. Next year he will decide if he continues in the sport.
