Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
By Mauricio Sulaimán
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Jun 2026
Last Sunday, Father’s Day was celebrated in most countries. It will never be the same kind of celebration as Mother’s Day, but it is a special day nonetheless.
Grandfathers and fathers are honored, social media is flooded with congratulatory messages among friends and family, and a few gifts always pop up here and there to make the celebration even more meaningful.
What wouldn’t I give to celebrate my beloved father today. It’s been 12 years since he left us, but on this day only the memories remain – looking at photos and videos, listening to his favorite songs, and talking to him in silence throughout the day.
Fathers play a crucial role in boxing. There are many multi-generational boxing families and, in the vast majority of cases, it is the father who takes the son or daughter to the gym for the very first time.
There is also a large number of fathers who serve as trainers and chief corner for their kids, and we even see others working as managers and promoters.
However, a father’s influence on a boxer does not always turn out to be the best option. The father-son relationship will always be uniquely complex; there is a higher level of demand by nature, much stronger pressures exist, and in most cases, expectations are excessive, creating a very distinct kind of tension for the athlete.
There was once a rule within the World Boxing Council that prohibited a boxer’s father from serving as the chief corner-man. This rule eventually became rule due to the high number of elite boxers who have their fathers in their corner.
With a brief analysis of modern boxing, we can see the following cases where fathers train and work the corner for their children:
Jose Benavidez initiated and has been trainer and corner of current WBC Light Heavyweight champ David Benavidez, as well as Jose Jr.
Freddie Fundora guides the WBC World Super Welterweight Champion, Sebastián Fundora, and likewise handles his daughter, Gabriela, the Undisputed Flyweight Champion.
Shingo Inoue works with his two sons: the Undisputed Super Bantamweight Champion, Naoya, and Takuma, who is the WBC Bantamweight Champion.
Following a long estrangement, Henry García returned to train and work the ring for his son, Ryan, and they achieved glory by capturing the WBC World Welterweight Championship.
The WBC Interim Middleweight Champion, Jesús Ramos, has his father in his corner, who also works with his other son, Abel.
Dalton Smith has dad and even granddad in his corner.
And this is only the list of current WBC champions, and I might even be missing some cases.
There have been many other cases, some involving great controversy and problematic instances that have even damaged family relationships, resulting in feuds that have filled media headlines and social networks:
Teófimo López Senior and Junior, with constant arguments both in private and in public; Danny García, who was always eclipsed by his father’s highly complicated personality; the Mosleys, and many other cases.
Back in the 1970s, Alfonso Zamora left Cuyo Hernández’s gym due to his father’s demands. And how could we forget what happened at the end of the bout between Carlos Zárate and Alfonso Zamora – when Zamora was knocked out, his father jumped into the ring to trade blows with Zarate’s trainer, Cuyo Hernández.
The same dynamic occurs across all other activities in our sport. Many judges and referees are the children of ring officials: Arthur Mercante Jr.; Julie Lederman, daughter of Harold; Laurence Cole, son of Dickie, etc.
In promotional companies, Carl King worked for many years alongside the legendary Don King; Todd duBoef is the President of Top Rank, alongside Bob Arum; Luis de Cubas Sr. and Jr.; George, son of Frank Warren of Queensberry; Eddie Hearn now runs Matchroom, following in the footsteps of his father, Barry Hearn; Oswaldo Kuchle and Maldonados in Mexico, the Riveros in Argentina, the Elordes in the Philippines, among many others.
Fathers and Sons Who Became World Boxing Champions:
· Guty Espadas (FL – WBA) / Guty Espadas jr (FE – WBC) – Mexico
· Leon Spinks (HE – WBC) / Cory Spinks (WE – IBF) – USA
· Muhammad Ali (HE – WBC) / Laila Ali (SM – WBC Female) – USA *
· Wilfredo Vázquez (BA/SB/FE – WBA) / Wilfredo Vázquez Jr. (SB – WBO) – Puerto Rico
· Julio César Chávez (SFE / LI / SL) / Julio César Chávez Jr. (WBC – MI) – Mexico
· Chris Eubank (WBO SM) / Chris Eubank Jr. (GB) (WBA Interim / MI) – England
· Kostya Tszyu (SL / WBC-WBA-IBF) / Tim Tszyu (WBO – SW) – Australia
· Floyd Patterson (HE – WBC) / Tracy Patterson (SB – WBC / SFE – IBF) – USA **
· Carl Bobo Olson (MI-WORLD) / Eliza Olson (LI – WBC Female) – USA
Did you know…?
My father, Don José Sulaimán, served as president of the World Boxing Council for 38 years, during which he experienced everything: a history filled with challenges, lessons, unforgettable moments, and above all, a mission that always stood above everything else: to protect the boxer and work toward a fairer, more humane, and safer sport. Today, I try to follow in his footsteps.
When my father arrived at the WBC, he did so with a very clear vision. He understood that boxing was not just a sport of punches, victories, and defeats; to him, boxing represented life stories, sacrifice, dreams, and opportunities. He always said that behind every champion was a person who had given up everything to reach a goal, and that our responsibility was to accompany them and take care of them.
I had the fortune of growing up witnessing that dedication every single day. From a young age, I observed how my father lived boxing with an immense passion. The WBC was his life, but beyond the belts and championships, what truly moved him was the people: the fighters, their families, the trainers, the promoters, and everyone who forms part of this great global family.
Following in his footsteps has been no simple task. When I received the responsibility of continuing his legacy, I understood that it was not simply about occupying a position, but about honoring a history built with hard work, values, and principles.
I have always said that my ultimate pride is that I am the son of José Sulaimán. My father left an indelible mark. His name is linked to historic moments in world boxing, but also to changes that transformed the lives of many athletes. He implemented safety measures, defended the rights of boxers, and always pushed for the sport to evolve.
Every day that I walk into the WBC office, I remember his words, his advice, and his way of looking at life. He taught me that the power of an organization does not lie in its name, but in its capacity to serve others, in the need of keeping a united Board of Governors, in empowering committee leaders and aldermen listening to every single person or group who approaches our beloved organization.
Today, after so many years, I continue to walk with that lesson. My commitment is to keep that philosophy alive. The world changes, boxing evolves, new generations of champions and new challenges emerge, but the essence must remain: taking care of the fighter.
Today I look back and I am deeply grateful to have had a man like my father as my guide. Thanks to him, I learned that boxing unites the world, that sports can change lives, and that behind every bout exists a story that deserves respect. Continuing his path has meant keeping a vision alive.
The journey continues. History is still being written. And as long as I have the opportunity to serve boxing, I will always carry with me the greatest lesson my father left me: the most important champion will always be the human being inside the boxer.
Today’s Anecdote…
Speaking of Father’s Day, I remember that celebrating this date alongside my beloved dad was wonderful, with the whole family gathered to spend beautiful moments together. His endless stories, anecdotes and great sense of humor.
Many of these celebrations took place at Sanborns, with the entire family together and Don José enjoying a delicious breakfast of huevos divorciados with his cup of coffee. Thus, something so simple became part of the moments that remained forever stored in the hearts of the entire Sulaimán family.
I welcome your comments at contact@wbcboxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mauricio Sulaimán.
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