SULAIMAN UNANIMOUSLY RE-ELECTED AS WBC PRESIDENT
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Dec 2012
Sulaiman.
Don Jose Sulaiman has been unanimously re-elected as president of the premier world boxing organization ? the World Boxing Council at the historic 50th Convention held in the picturesque resort of Cancun, Mexico.
Sulaiman who was first named WBC president in 1975, succeeding the Philippines Justiniano Montano Jr, was originally a member of the Ratings Committee which was chaired by lawyer Rodrigo ?Rudy? Salud.
Sulaiman told us during a luncheon hosted by Salud during the WBC Convention in Manila that he had learned so much from the eminent Filipino lawyer who crafted the Constitution and By Laws of the WBC and was its secretary general when Montano was president.
Sulaiman who will serve another four years thanked the board of governors for their confidence and support and said "Boxing is my life!"
The 81 year old Sulaiman was presented with several awards and mementos one of which was a statue of a boxer presented by Rocky Marciano Jr, son of the late undefeated world heavyweight champion and World Boxing Cares Stephen Blea which paid tribute to Sulaiman?s figting spirit while at the helm of the WBC for some 37 years.
Don Jose also received a letter from US president Barack Obama congratulating the WBC on its 50th anniversary.
WBC executive Mauro Betti said ?There are many presidents of organizations around the world but none of them possess your leadership? after which a standing ovation capped a memorable moment for Sulaiman and the WBC.
Boxing writer James Blears quoted Sulaiman as claiming his mother had once advised him that unity makes power, and that he's tried to be an ambassador for boxing. Through working with Commissions, Boxing has been transformed into a better and safer sport.
In a response to his re-election Sulaiman said "It is an acclamation. This makes me relax, makes me see that I'm accepted by everybody, and give me more respect to the position that I have."
One of the key plans of the WBC is to move forward with the first professional Boxing World Cup while also developing a pension fund for former boxers, who are facing difficulties in their lives while also instituting further safety measures to protect fighters.
The re-elected WBC president expressed confidence that the WBC belt ? is the dream of young boxers."
Sulaiman has always maintained that he is a friend of the Philippines and has constantly supported the aspirations of Filipino boxers.
One of his favorite boxing judges, Rey Danseco of the Philippines won the prestigious award for the ?Best Boxing Judge? of the year.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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