Sampson Boxing loses Josh Taylor defense after missing payment

Sampson Lewkowicz won the auction. But it looks as if he only bought some headlines. First, good. Then, bad

Lewkowicz failed to make good on his bid for the promotional rights to junior welterweight champion Josh Taylor’s mandatory defense against Apinun Khongsong of Thailand.

Lewkowicz, of Sampson Boxing, missed Friday’s midnight deadline for a second payment on the $1.32 million he had bid on the bout, according to a report by ESPN, which will televise the bout. He made the first payment, 10 percent, or $132,000.

The default means the promotional rights go to Top Rank, which had the second highest bid at $1.26 million. It also means Top Rank will promote Taylor in his first fight since they signed him on Jan. 9.

“We are not at all surprised that he defaulted,’’ Top Rank vice president Carl Moretti told ESPN. “We are more surprised that he bid a ridiculous amount of money, considering the worth of the opponent.’’

Lewkowicz signed Khongsong to a co-promotional contract within hours of news that Taylor had jumped to Top Rank. According to Moretti, Lewkowicz had neither a network nor a site in place when he made the bid.

“You win some, lose some,’’ Lewkowicz said.  “I had a deal made, and it fell out, and I will never cry.’’

Lewkowicz loses his initial $132,000 deposit. That’s a lot of money for a few headlines.