Sample ready to make ring return

Dean Juipe

Monday, June 4, 2001 | 10:10 a.m.

It hasn't been by his choice, but David Sample has remained out of the public eye for quite some time.

A junior welterweight who once fought current International Boxing Federation champion Zab Judah and who once labored on the fringe of the top-10 rankings, Sample has been inactive since May 6, 2000.

But Tuesday evening under the canopy of the Fremont Street Experience, Sample is matched with Mario Ramos in a 10-round bout that will open the nationally televised portion of an ESPN2 card that offers Frans Botha vs. David Bostice as its main event.

"It's a good comeback fight for me because it's on TV and it's a good time for people to see me again," Sample said Sunday. "If I look good, maybe I can get my name back out there. TV makes all the difference in the world and a lot of people could see the show and say 'Hey, Sample's back.' "

While he has had a handful of fights scheduled and later scrapped, Sample was last in the ring in Las Cruces, N.M., and taking a 12-round decision over Issac Cruz with the minor World Boxing Organization Latino title at stake. He has not fought or defended the belt because of shoulder surgery, followed by a series of unlucky breaks.

"I've had a lot of things that were supposed to happen but never came off," he said. "I've had fights scheduled where the other guy didn't show up (such as Golden Johnson in Albuquerque) and it's been extremely difficult. It's hard to keep your name alive when you're slipping due to inactivity, and it's especially hard when you see peers that you would be competitive with getting some good fights."

Sample, 32, is 29-6-1 with 10 knockouts. A long-time resident of Las Vegas, he once fought regularly here but was last seen in a local ring on a Johnny Tapia card at the Hilton three years ago.

He lost to Judah by first-round knockout July 9, 1999.

"I'm in shape and ready to go," Sample said."

When the card was originally announced, Sample was not on it. He has since stepped in to replace Hicklet Lau.

His opponent, Ramos, will be coming from Phoenix with a record of 9-1-1 and two KOs.

"I don't know much about him but I see that he lost to (Las Vegan) LaChaunce Shepherd and he had a draw with Tony Duran, who I beat the crap out of," Sample said. "I don't see many familiar names (on his ring resume) and you can tell from his record that he doesn't have a lot of power, although people could see my record and say the same thing."