Global boxing personalities I met during the 45th WBC convention
By Alex P. Vidal
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Nov 2007
As official delegate in the recently concluded 45th World Boxing Council (WBC) convention in Manila Hotel last Nov. 7-11, 2007, I had the privilege and honor to meet and shake hands (and exchange calling cards and souvenir items) with some of the world?s famous boxing personalities?boxing governors and continental federation presidents, managers, ring physicians, promoters, matchmakers, trainers, boxers, etc.-- during the week-long conclave attended by some 650 delegates from Europe, Asia, the United States and Africa.
On top of the list is, of course, the much-admired and indefatigable 77-year-old Don Jose Sulaiman Chagnon, the WBC president who is arguably the most familiar face in the Manila gathering of stars. I first received Don Jose?s faxed official invitation to attend the WBC convention in 1995 in Chiang Mai. He was again introduced to me by former GAB chairman Eduardo Villanueva in the 2002 convention in Tokyo. This was what I whispered to him when I had a chance to talk to him after his speech last Nov. 12. He just looked at me in the eyes and hissed, "Yeah, yeah, yeah." (With all the people he gets to meet and wrestles with regularly, I doubted, of course, if he really remembered me).
There was a long-time Aussie friend Brad Vocale, former president of the Australia National Boxing Federation (ANBF), who was visiting the Philippines for the first time. I have worked with Brad in at least three OPBF fights and they were all memorable, to say the least.
Another was Indonesia?s fast rising international promoter and manager Temuzin Rambing, managing director of TR Promotions, who was pushing for membership of the fledgling Indonesian Boxing Association (IBA) to the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF).
It was the amiable Rambing who first approached me to introduce himself while I was outside the conventional hall. "Mr. Vidal, my name is Temuzin Rambing and I regularly received copies of your stories in the e-mail," Rambing volunteered.
Frank Quill, the tireless OPBF president I first met in Tokyo in 2002 through former GAB boxing chief Noli Flores. During the gala night Nov. 12 in Intramuros, Quill volunteered to locate Vocale when I asked him of Vocale?s whereabouts.
Mauricio Sulaiman, WBC executive secretary and Don Jose?s matinee idol-looking son. In our e-mails, Mauricio addressed me as "my friend" although we met only once in Tokyo.
Tere Flores, Don Jose?s assistant who was always scribbling notes during the deliberations. In 2003, Tere informed me that my name was included in the list of official delegates from the Philippines in the Moscow convention and that I could get my visa at the Russian Embassy by personally bringing my passport there which I did.
Dr. Allan Recto, a Texas-based Filipino ringside physician who came only for the convention. He was introduced by GAB boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz and I was shocked to learn that he speaks fluent Ilonggo. Dr. Recto said he is from Molo, Iloilo City and had studied in the University of the Philippines in the Visayas.
Virat Vachirarattanawong, one of Thailand?s top international promoters and manager of former world champions Pongsaklek Wonjongkam, Chachai Sasakul and Samson Duchtboygym. Known as "Mr. Diamond", Virat was accompanied to the convention was by his son Piyarat who acts as managing director of Petchyindee Boxing Promotion Co, Ltd.
Vitaly Klitschko, the towering former WBC heavyweight champion, who is known to everyone.
Oscar Larios, a former world superbantamweight champion, who nearly disposed of Manny Pacquiao before losing on points at the Araneta Coliseum two years ago.
Jeff Fenech, a former world bantamweight champion.
Edward Thangarajah, a WBC member of the Board of Governors.
Sonstone Kashiba, secretary general of the Supreme Council for Sport in Africa (African Union) based in Cameron.
Naoyuki Kashimi, a promoter based in Kanazawa, Japan who promoted Jimrex Jaca?s first international fight in 2004 and who now manages Filipino Oriental Pacific 118-lb king Rolly Lunas.
Miroslaw Brozio, president of the Polish Boxing Association based in Kaminskiego, Poland. Brozio gave gold medals bearing his name and organization to selected personalities who befriended him during the convention.
Liu Gang, general manager of Zovi Boxing Promotion P.R. China. Gang said he is excited that the 2008 convention will be held in China.
Hwang Hyun Cheol, secretary general of Korea Boxing Commission. Major Lee, permanent WBC representative and former OPBF president.
Malcolm Bulner, WBC secretary-general, who speaks fluent English and communicates effectively.
Federico Enriquez, WBC director of press and protocol, who, despite his difficulty in speaking English (he speaks purely Mexican), handed me several handbooks on officiating and DVD tapes for distribution to my fellow Filipino ring officials.
Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, OPBF permanent member and secretary general of the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC). Yasukochi is the one helping facilitates my license in the JBC.
Frank and Ruben Carreon, both referees in Texas, USA.
Last but not the least was Joe Koizumi, one of the only few personalities in international boxing that I respect most and hold dear along with the much revered Bruce McTavish.
Others with whom I had a chance to have brief a conversation were: Hubert Minn of Hawaii, Mauro Betti of Italy, Bismarck Morales of Nicaragua, among others.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
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