Martha Saldivar Sulaimán passes away in Mexico City
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Aug 2024
This Sunday, we learned of the death of Mrs. Martha Saldivar Sulaiman, widow of Mr. Jose Sulaiman, former president of the WBC, and mother of Mr. Mauricio Sulaiman, current president of the WBC.
Mrs. Martha Saldivar was born in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, where she spent a quiet childhood and youth until she met a young man with hunger, thirst, will, and desire for change in the world order, who aimed to leave an indelible mark through the footprints of his path. Together, they became a couple who, over the years, built the foundation and cornerstone of boxing. Thanks to Mrs. Martha's understanding, patience, love, and unconditional support, her husband was able to dedicate much of his life to boxing while she took on the role of both mother and father to their six children—Fernando, Hector, Jose, Lucy, Claudia, and Mauricio—since Mr. Jose spent a lot of time traveling.
Martha Saldivar and José Sulaiman shared 42 years of love, support, and extraordinary experiences that helped the Sulaiman family achieve an extraordinary legacy beyond the WBC.
Mrs. Martha was the matriarch of the Sulaiman Saldivar family and an exemplary and special mother to the entire Global Green and Gold family.
Mrs. Martha had the opportunity to serve and share with world boxing figures including Mike Tyson, Don King, Muhammad Ali, Kid Azteca, José Mantequilla Nápoles, Raúl El Ratón Macías, Oscar de la Hoya, Jorge Travieso Arce, Julio Cesar Chavez, Roberto Duran, and Wilfredo Gómez, among many others, through both days of glory and adversity.
From their mythical residence in the Lindavista neighborhood of Mexico City, Mrs. Martha and Mr. Jose built a family legacy linked to world boxing with trainers, managers, promoters, boxers, press, training, sparring partners, and fans. Between Mexican and Lebanese food and extraordinary anecdotes, they achieved transcendental changes in the world of sports and family with super-special ingredients: love, loyalty, and respect.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Martha and Mr. Jose. Thank you forever.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
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