
Don José Sulaimán's achievements are remembered 11 years after his departure`
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 17 Jan 2025

José Sulaimán was president of the WBC from 1975 until his death on January 16, 2014, and is considered the main leader in the history of professional boxing and for his social human sensitivity that united them in the constant search for the protection and life of boxers.
This Thursday, January 16, 2025, the memorial mass was celebrated after 11 years of his departure at the Basilica of Guadalupe in Mexico City with the participation of world champions, boxers, trainers, ring officials, fans, press and friends of boxing in general along with the Sulaimán Saldívar Family.
Don Jose Sulaimán became one of the greatest leaders of world sport from Mexico, but his legacy was strengthened by his humanity and his personal family values.



In the more than 38 years that José Sulaimán was at the head of the World Boxing Council, the Mexican leader achieved crucial actions to change and improve boxing, and today we remember 10 of them.
1.- He reduced world championship fights from 15 to 12 rounds, a measure that was endorsed by the WBC Board of Governors, which has resulted in fewer misfortunes for boxers.
2.- The weigh-in 24 hours before the fight. This initiative by Don José benefited those who went into the ring without sufficient recovery time by weighing themselves in on the same day of the fight, which also caused a significant number of fatal accidents.
3.- Don José created, with the endorsement of the World Boxing Council, the intermediate divisions, which increased the number of champions and opportunities for boxers, in addition to avoiding the extreme sacrifice of boxers when making weight.
4.- He encouraged glove manufacturers to fuse the thumb to the rest of the glove, a situation that prevented accidents with open thumbs.
5.- In order to avoid further injustices, he worked with multiple boxing commissions to implement the use of instant replay, which prevents controversial and sometimes incorrect decisions in fights.
6.- He was the promoter of the open scoreboard that announces the cards after four and eight rounds, giving a different meaning to a fight, so that fighters know where they stand.
7.- Don José created, with the support of Jill Diamond, the WBC Cares program, in which sports figures dedicate themselves to visiting children in hospitals, carrying a message of love, hope and inspiration.
8.- With the help of important businessmen, he managed to obtain scholarships for legends of Mexican boxing.
9.- He created the “José Sulaimán Fund” with a fundraiser to offer support and assistance to boxers and former boxers from around the world who are going through difficult times.
10.- Don José created a Medical Committee, whose main base is at UCLA (University of California), where resources were allocated to the development of research programs for the benefit of boxers.
These vital changes transformed the world of boxing, making it safer, fairer and better.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani Look Awesome During Today's Presscon; Ready for Saturday's Historic Tokyo Dome Showdown!
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Santig is IBF Promoter for Asia 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Jerusalem Arrives Early in Johannesburg Ahead of May 16 Title Defense
Thu, 30 Apr 2026Confirmed Mayhem: Casimero vs Nery June 6 in Japan! (Long Analysis)
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Vicelles is OPBF light fly champ
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 30 Apr 2026WBC Commemorative belt ¨Tollan Tlatequi¨ at stake on Benavidez-Ramirez super fight
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 30 Apr 2026Toro’s Talented Trio of Prospects Fighting in Mexico on May 15th
Thu, 30 Apr 2026CONAH WALKER READY FOR AN ALL-OUT WAR AGAINST MIDLANDS RIVAL SAM EGGINGTON IN HIS HOMETOWN WOLVERHAMPTON – LIVE ON DAZN
Thu, 30 Apr 2026IBA.PRO Champions Night in Saint Petersburg postponed due to unforeseen circumstances
Thu, 30 Apr 202620th Philippine Xiangqi (Chinese Chess) Open on May 1
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 30 Apr 2026MELBOURNE FIGHT NIGHT RESULTS
Thu, 30 Apr 2026Vicelles Decisions Diaz, Claims OPBF 108-lb Belt in Japan
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 29 Apr 2026Stars feted at Pacquiao/Elorde Awards Night
By Joaquin Henson, Wed, 29 Apr 2026Magramo banners Blow-By-Blow show
Wed, 29 Apr 2026IBA Bare Knuckle сard сonfirmed for St. Petersburg: IBA.PRO Champions Night
Wed, 29 Apr 2026