Jose Sulaiman's 95th birthday is being celebrated with events around the world
By Gabriel F. Cordero
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 31 May 2026
May 30th is not just a hand in glove day, it is a date deeply engraved in the heart of the WBC. 95 years ago, as in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Don José Sulaimán Chagnón was born.
He become the most important commissioner in the history of the sport and the leader who transformed modern boxing under the acronym of the World Boxing Council.
In the framework of his birth—a date on which the Boxer’s Day and the anniversary of the historic world coronation of Jackie “Princesa Azteca” Nava are also commemorated—the WBC family will have major sporting, cultural, and altruistic events internationally.
United States: World titles and final eliminator
Within the United States three high-profile cards on this date, that promise to paralyze fans:
World Eliminator in San Diego, California: The flyweight division will experience a crucial night at the Town and Country hotel. Under the banner of promotional company Clase y Talento, the gritty Mexican Francisco “Chihuas” Rodríguez Jr. and the unbeaten Venezuelan Angelino “Huracán” Córdova will face each other in a direct eliminator at 112 pounds. Rodríguez Jr. will look to impose his suffocating pressure style and enormous international background, while Córdova will attempt to showcase his refined technique and counterpunching precision to maintain his undefeated record. The winner will stand on the threshold of glory to dispute the emblematic Green and Gold Belt.
War of champions in El Paso, Texas: Organized by Most Valuable Promotions, the Texan city will witness an exciting clash of titans when the WBC World Light Flyweight champion, Lourdes “Lulú” Juárez, defends her belt against the WBC World Strawweight monarch, Yokasta Valle. This bout represents a legacy-unification duel where Juárez will seek to assert her experience before her people, while Valle will try to conquer a new division and consolidate herself as the ultimate Latin American reference.
Elite duel in Houston, Texas: Later on, Houston will host a bout that will define the future of the 130-pound division. O’Shaquie Foster will put the WBC World Super Featherweight championship on the line against the explosive Raymond Ford. Foster arrives consolidated as one of the most technically gifted monarchs of today, while Ford will step into the ring with the goal of conquering a second division. A clash of speed, intelligence, and an extremely high competitive level.
Tijuana: First José Sulaimán Race and Social Cause
The Mexican border will be the epicenter of the tribute to the historic leader with the celebration of the first José Sulaimán Race in Tijuana, organized by Monroy González. This event seeks to merge athletics with the boxing identity of one of the most emblematic lands for this sport, featuring the special participation of various world champions and former world champions.
• Start time: 7:30 AM
• Start and finish point: CREA Sports Complex, Tijuana
• Registration cost: $300 pesos
Award and Altruism: The first 1,000 runners to cross the finish line will receive a commemorative WBC medal. Faithful to the humanistic philosophy of Don José, 70% of the registration proceeds will go directly to programs for the defense of human rights, sports, and health.
Europe: Titles in the United Kingdom and Thrilling Rematch in Belgium
The old continent strongly joins the May 30 festivities with two stellar venues:
Mandatory defense in Belgium: In one of the categories with the highest international growth, Kevin Lerena will defend the WBC World Bridgerweight championship against Ryad Merhy in an awaited mandatory rematch. Lerena will look to ratify his absolute dominance in the division, while Merhy will try to settle scores on rival territory to crown himself with the emblematic green and gold belt.
WBC Silver Title at the mythical Wembley Arena: The OVO Arena Wembley in London will host the clash between Adam Azim and Steve Claggett. In the co-main support, the undefeated British fighter Francesca Hennessy (8-0, 1 KO) will expose her WBC Silver Bantamweight championship against the Italian Aurora De Persio (8-1, 3 KOs), in a live broadcast on BBC Two.
State of Mexico: Fecarbox Title in Ixtapaluca
High-school women’s boxing will also vibrate in Mexico State territory. The town of Ixtapaluca will dress up to host a bout of guaranteed intensity: local boxer Alondra Yamileth Mendoza will face Kumora Yang Badillo Amaya, disputing the prestigious WBC Fecarbox Super Flyweight championship, a crown that will project the winner toward the elite rankings of the organization.
A day to celebrate the past, present, and future of boxing
From the fists of new promises in Europe and Mexico, the world championship battles in the Bridger, Super Featherweight, and Light Flyweight divisions, the flyweight eliminator war, to the solidarity strides in the streets of Tijuana, this May 30 the World Boxing Council demonstrates that the legacy of Don José Sulaimán remains more alive than ever: safeguarding the values of the sport, supporting noble causes, and crowning the champions of tomorrow.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Gabriel F. Cordero.
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