SERGIO MARTINEZ AND RACHEL DONAIRE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SULAIMAN?S OUTRAGEOUS COMMENTS
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 04 Jan 2012
Two prominent figures in the sport of boxing has spoken publicly against Don Jose Sulaiman?s insensitive comments regarding abuse and violence against women.
Middleweight King and Ring Magazine?s Number 3 Pound for Pound boxer Sergio Martinez addressed the issue last week in a press conference in his native country of Argentina. ?It is a sin what Floyd Mayweather did. It is more than clear.? Martinez stated. He was referring to Mayweather being sentenced by a Las Vegas court for a domestic battery case that the boxer pleaded guilty to and Sulaiman?s defense of the said act. Sulaiman stated in an interview that, ? While beating a lady is critical, It is not a major sin or crime.?
The said statement elicited criticisms from the media and fans that are following the sport. Martinez who advocates anti bullying in schools, was the first boxer to denounce the Sulaiman remark publicly last December 29 in Buenos Aires. He demanded that Sulaiman apologize which the World Boxing Council president has not done since making the statement a week ago in an interview with Philboxing.com?s Ronnie Nathanielsz. Sulaiman instead issued a clarification of his remarks, pointing to the language barrier as a reason for it.
?Me and any other citizen in the world feels that we have the right to ask for Don Jose a public apology in concern to the barbarity he has said about violence against women.? Martinez declared.
Another well known personality of the sport also expressed her disappointment of Sulaiman?s remarks. Rachel Donaire, spouse of WBO and WBC bantamweight champ Nonito Donaire, indicated her disapproval through her of?cial Facebook account.
?This is disgusting! I cant believe (the) WBC said this about battered women. Whoever puts their hand on a woman is a coward.? Donaire posted.
Rachel Donaire also criticized Sulaiman?s attempt at apology, ?Come on! Sorry, but how can you say that your English was a mistranslation from Spanish to English yet draft such an eloquent, grammatically perfect, and structured apology??
Donaire was referring to an email sent by the WBC to various boxing publications and site wherein Sulaiman apologized not on his controversial statement but in ?not ?nding the right words in English? in that interview.
Donaire further expressed by a text message to this writer that, ?I understand in many ways that boxing is a man?s sport. There are not many women promoters, managers and even female boxers that aren?t fully supported. I believe a lot of (the) current statements about women only highlight the mentality that needs to be changed and pushed with the current times.?
Sergio Martinez and Rachel Donaire joins the many who are vocal of their criticism of Sulaiman and his insensitive remarks about violence against women. Major sites like ESPN, Yahoo and now The Daily Mail of the UK expressed their commentary of it in recent articles posted in their sites. Martinez and Donaire are the two who are closest to the sport that made a stand against it publicly.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Mon, 28 Apr 2025IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
By Lito delos Reyes, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 28 Apr 2025Raga beats Bañares in SBA Philippine Open, pockets ₱400,000 cash prize
By Marlon Bernardino, Mon, 28 Apr 2025OK-C You Next Season, Memphis
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Edges Benn in Thrilling Grudge Match for the Ages
By Dong Secuya, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Due to Illness, H2O Syve Withdraws from Tonight’s Bout
Sun, 27 Apr 2025Filipino FM Ivan Travis Cu runner-up in Budapest First Saturday Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Sun, 27 Apr 2025Home Teams Rule the Day
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Marlon Tapales Makes Weight for WBC International Title Fight in Gensan
Sat, 26 Apr 2025WELTERWEIGHT ERIC TUDOR TAKES UNANIMOUS DECISION OVER KEVIN JOHSON IN MAIN EVENT OF ‘LA FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS’ FROM THUNDER STUDIOS AND LIVE ON DAZN
Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank vs Benn: Like Father Like Son
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 26 Apr 2025Eubank Jr. Misses Weight Ahead of Highly Anticipated Benn Clash
Sat, 26 Apr 2025