WBC celebrates 60 years and Jose Sulaiman life
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 02 Jun 2023
Representatives from 175 countries were present at the mythical legionary Centro de Banquetes Arroyo, in the south of Mexico City to share with renowned world boxing legends such as: Evander Holyfield, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Jose Luis Castillo, Rafael Márquez, Carlos Zárate, Alfonso Zamora, Ana Maria Torres, Ruben Olivares, Cesar Bazan and Devin Haney among many others present to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the World Boxing Council, the close to 2,500 fights and world championship nights together with 92 years of the birth of its eternal president, Mr. Jose Sulaiman.
Mauricio Sulaiman, current president of the WBC, together with his brothers Héctor, Lucy, Claudia, Pepe and Fernando, reflected on the many changes and innovations that the WBC has implemented during these six decades. The more fundamental world title fight rounds were reduced from fifteen to twelve rounds. It has saved countless lives, as well as serious injuries, where previously exhausted fighters would often give it their all to stop and then go further. Other organizations initially voiced a torrent of criticism, but then saw, understood, grasped, and recognized human common sense, so they fell in line.
Mauricio remembered great WBC champions of all time: Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Mike Tyson, Marvin Hagler, Floyd Mayweather, Roberto Duran, Julio Cesar Chavez, Oscar De La Hoya, Alexis Arguello, Ricardo Lopez and Saúl Canelo Álvarez among many.
Víctor Cota, the legendary WBC Master Historian and Press Director, received a special award in honor of his brilliant, long-standing career and commitment to the World Boxing Council and is the only person alive who was at that historic first meeting on February 14, 1963 in the disappeared Hotel Prado Alffer in Mexico City.
Lic. Federico Enriquez, who was the human agenda of Don Jose Sulaiman during his time in the Presidency, and Doña Teresa Flores, the inexhaustible secretary of the WBC, were honored for their dedication to the organization and to boxing.
“Don Jose Sulaiman's legacy went beyond the ring, an office and a night of boxing. This legacy is reflected in the 60 years of the WBC in unity, closeness, loyalty, respect for boxing and the boxer, the commitment of the WBC, the values and principles, the dedication and commitment to boxing and that the importance of the boxer for the organization, before, during and after his glory years”, said Mauricio Sulaimán.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez vs Jaimie Mungia (Fight Analysis)
By Ralph Rimpell, Fri, 03 May 2024OSCAR DE LA HOYA AND GOLDEN BOY PROMOTIONS TO RETURN TO TURNING STONE FOR INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
Fri, 03 May 2024“Redemption Road: The Path Back to Glory” Debuts SUNDAY Ahead of Lomachenko-Kambosos Lightweight Title Showdown
Fri, 03 May 2024Star Boxing’s super welterweight contender Wendy Toussaint will travel to the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa to take on Shervantaigh Koopman
Fri, 03 May 2024Labor Lakers play Kickstarter MLCG in Sanman on May 3
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 03 May 2024DENNY VS. CASH LAUNCH PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Thu, 02 May 2024Nattapong Jankaew Prepares for Career-Defining Match Against Former Unified World Champion Marlon Tapales in WBC Regional Title Showdown
Thu, 02 May 2024Boston Routs Miami Anew, 118-84 to End Series at 4-1; Dallas Demolishes LA Clippers, Moves Ahead 3-2
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 02 May 2024GOLDEN BOY STATEMENT ON RYAN GARCIA'S POSITIVE TEST FOR BANNED SUBSTANCE
Thu, 02 May 2024LORENZ DUMAM-AG STOPS RAMEL MACADO JR IN FIRST ROUND IN BATTLE OF UNDEFEATED (VIDEO)
By Dong Secuya, Thu, 02 May 2024Croft wins by UD
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 02 May 2024Top Rank Presents Undisputed Junior Featherweight Championship: Naoya Inoue vs. Luis Nery
Thu, 02 May 2024HAMZA UDDIN READY TO SHINE IN BIRMINGHAM: 'YOU HAVEN’T SEEN ANYTHING YET'
Thu, 02 May 2024Heavyweight Quintin Sumpter Embraces the Spoiler’s Role
Thu, 02 May 2024NM Jasper Faeldonia rules IIEE chess tourney
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 02 May 2024