France's Sofiane Oumiha is the last man to defeat world lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez, doing so in the amateur ranks in 2016. Oumiha went on to win a silver medal in the 2016 Olympics, losing out to Brazil's Robson Concecaio in the Brazilian-hosted games. Oumiha went on to win the 2017 World Amateur championship. Now, Oumiha has signed a long-term promotional deal with Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions. Boxingtalk considers Oumiha to be 6-0 due to pro bouts in the World Series of Boxing. Warren announced that Oumiha will box exclusively on Queensberry Poland shows early in his professional career.

 

Queensberry Poland has a bout scheduled for him on Saturday March 6th as part of its recently announced long-term deal with Polish broadcaster Polsat. Promoter Francis Warren explained: “We are hopeful that Sofiane can start winning championships and climbing the rankings early in his career. Queensberry Poland is a great launching pad for his career as he’ll start with TV exposure right away. We are always looking for exciting talent, amateur or professional, and Sofiane is a prime example of that. His experience beating the very best means we can take the Vasyl Lomachenko fast-track route towards a world title. “The lightweight division is the hottest in boxing and very soon Sofiane will be mixing and beating those elite fighters. His raw talent is a very rare gift and I’d be comfortable matching him against names like Devin Haney very soon. And, of course I’m sure Lopez will want to settle the score.”

 

At the 2016 Olympics, Oumiha beat Lopez in the round of 32. He then saw off former IBF flyweght champion Amnat Ruenroeng, Azerbaijan's Albert Selimov and Dorjnyambuugiin Otgondalai before losing on points against Conceicao in the lightweight final. A year later he made sure he wasn’t second best again winning the World Championships in Hamburg. Then he saw off challenges from Wanderson de Oliveira, Iurii Shestak and Olympic rival Otgondalai to reach the final where he outpointed three-time amateur world champion Lazaro Alvarez.

 

Oumiha has fought and beaten Britain’s best amateurs. His record in more than 100 bouts includes two wins over Luke McCormack and victories against Joe Cordina and Callum French.

 

Francis Warren added: “Sofiane is a special talent. These sort of fighters don’t come along too often and there is a buzz around him in boxing. Everyone at Queensberry is delighted that he has put his trust in us to help replicate the success he has had as an amateur. Our track proves we can take him to the top.”

 

Oumiha also won silver medals at the 2015 and 2019 European Games and he took gold at the 2018 EU Championships.

 

Mariusz Krawczynski, co-founder of Queensberry Poland alongside Francis Warren, said: “It is exciting to welcome a talent of the magnitude of Sofiane into the Queensberry family. His potential is incredible and I’m happy that Queensberry Poland will be where he launches what promises to be an outstanding professional career. It is a great coup to add Sofiane as a Queensberry Poland fighter.

 

“Queensberry Poland will work closely with our UK counterparts to guide Sofiane on what is going to be a long and successful career.”