Afternoon Session Day Two WBC Convention

The after lunch session on Day Two of the WBC Convention at the Grand Elysee Hotel was started by Dr Hitman Daniel, who led a mildly vigorous exercise session with an array of stretching exercises.

Then straight into the Xempower presentation given by Mr Cai Yongjun. An AI powered Boxing scoring and analysis system which has originated in China.

With two thousand staff it covers one hundred sporting events annually. Its AI powered flexible and eco friendly digitalized system boxing system started in 20019. It seeks to improve punching accuracy, with video assistance to improve human analysis for performance enhancement, via high speed digital cameras using sensors.

Then a report from Michael Mazzulli of the American Boxing Commissions. It seeks international partnerships, but simultaneously the need to partner with local expertise. Also, drug testing, pre medicals  and an aim to be working yet harder to report suspensions and fight results, with safety as the top priority.

Know your promoter, building partnerships, be the glue strategy and walk the walk, plus the need to work together for the betterment of the sport.

World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman is calling for a meeting of the WBC and ABC Executive Committees. He also said: “We want the USA to learn what the World does, to have the availability to explore the future.”

A lively beamed message from Tyson Fury who stated: “I’m training my balls off! I’ll be back again WBC, can’t wait. Love you guys…ciao.”

Mauricio said: “He is a great Ambassador. Next week, he has the biggest fight of his career.”

From Oleksandr Usyk’s team some ongoing analysis of the business venture Ready to Science. An optimum study and a way to find training partners plus colleagues,  combining science and sports, employing detailed assessment of training, nutrition, sleep. A specialist team including psychologists.

Assessing mild traumatic injuries, stats analysis data, better stance, resistance to punches, hydration. Great challenges ahead and the opportunity to improve the health of boxers.

The essential and vital need to get Boxing back into the Olympics being spearheaded by World Boxing. Its President Boris Van Der Vorst told the WBC Convention that they currently have 59 National Commissions but need seventy five.

At a meeting with the IOC this coming  March, the decision will be made about if Olympic boxing will resume and can be at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. World Boxing seeks provisional recognition, leading to full recognition.

Boris cautioned: “ let us realize our mission of being at the Olympics is not a right, it’s a privilege. I’m sure the IOC is ready to make this successful.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman said his Father Don José has foreseen and predicted a crisis in amateur boxing and how it was being run by a previous organization. The WBC formed an amateur committee a decade ago. It is now agreed to amend its name to Amateur and Olympic Style Boxing Committee.

This committee’s chairman Marcos Ariente accompanied by Deputy Chairman Raja Amasheh gave their annual report. There have been forty events this year including
The Green Belt Challenge. Tony Milch who established Gloves and Doves five years ago encouraging Israeli and Palestinian children to box, arranged a team combing them versus an English team this year. The location was Camden Town, London. The shared message was closeness and unity.

Raja presented Boris Van Der Vorst with a WBC Belt. The name change to Amateur and Olympic Style Boxing Committee was unanimously approved plus full support of World Boxing’s goal, including official recognition.

Jill Diamond and Christiane Manzur led the WBC Cares team including boxing champions to a Hamburg school. And  twenty eight children, plus parents and teachers greeted them with boundless enthusiasm. A memorable boxing class  and exercises followed with Terence Crawford in particular showing considerable coaching skills.

Mauricio Sulaiman praised Jill who established WBC Cares in 2006 along with Life President José Sulaiman. It now spans all the WBC’s 178 affiliate nations! Mauricio said: “We are so proud of you. You have changed the WBC image forever.”

Valencia, in Spain was last month hit, deluged and in parts devastated by massive torrential downpours, which caused severe flooding. Society rose up and united in the rescue mission, in which boxers were particularly prominent.

Spanish boxer Sheila Martinez who is EBU Featherweight champion was presented with a WBC Medal at the Convention. She said: “Thank you for the appreciation. We are here to show strength and solidarity from the world. It motivates me to take these feelings home.”