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.
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