August 2025 WBC Activity

1

 Venezuelan boxer Carlos Cañizales claimed the World Boxing Council’s light flyweight title after defeating then-champion Panya Pradabsri by knockout in the fifth round. This was the first world championship fight in Venezuela in the last 10 years.

2

Puerto Rican boxer Subriel “Pride of Maternillo” Matías received the WBC’s Green and Gold Belt. The emotional ceremony was held at La Fortaleza, the seat of the Puerto Rican government, marking the first time in the country’s history that an official championship belt delivery has taken place. The event was presided over by Governor Jennifer González, accompanied by WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, legendary champion Juan Laporte, and other notable figures from Puerto Rican boxing and sports.

5

At the traditional “Coffee Tuesdays” WBC press conference, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz was presented with his belt as the WBC interim super lightweight world champion by the organization’s president, Mauricio Sulaimán.

Aleida Alavez, the mayor of Iztapalapa, announced the “Green and Gold WBC” tournament.

6

WBC Cares, TORKLAW, and the LAPD joined forces with young people in Los Angeles. As part of the WBC Cares program, an emotional event was held in Los Angeles, California, where 200 backpacks were given to children and young people. The event attracted a diverse crowd, with students eagerly lining up to receive their backpacks, sharing smiles and gratitude as they socialized and enjoyed food.

7

World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaimán and the director of the WBC Ring Officials Committee, Duane Ford, offered a masterclass for judges today via the WBC University platform.

8

After a surprising victory against Japan’s Kenshiro Teraji, young Californian Ricardo Sandoval was recognized for winning the WBC flyweight world title. The mayor of Rialto, California, Joe Baca, honored Sandoval and gave him a special distinction on behalf of the city.

10

The Annual Congress of the Federation of Boxing Commissions of the Mexican Republic (FECOMBOX) brought together 300 participants in Aguascalientes committed to unifying criteria, certification, and providing maximum protection for everyone who gets in the ring. Under the leadership of Juan Carlos Pelayo, president of FECOMBOX, and Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the WBC, collaboration was strengthened with WBC University and its director, Xóchitl Lagarda, with presentations that were notable for their interest and quality. Representatives from all 32 states of Mexico, as well as countries such as Italy, Guatemala, Peru, the United States, Venezuela, Colombia, Honduras, and Argentina, also attended.

11

The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix has successfully implemented several key changes to the traditional boxing format. For the third stage of the tournament, a new safety protocol known as the S.A.F.E. (Stop All Fighting Equipment) system was implemented. This visual system is designed to immediately and effectively stop a boxing match when a corner decides to end the fight, prioritizing the boxer’s safety and well-being. When activated, the system lights up the four corner pads with a series of red LED lights, clearly signaling that the fight will not continue.

12

The municipal president of Santiago Tianguistenco, State of Mexico, Erika Patricia Olea De La Torre, paid tribute to Salvador Sánchez, along with other great champions, on the anniversary of his tragic passing.

13

The third stage of the WBC Boxing Grand Prix was successfully held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This tournament was created by WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán in conjunction with His Excellency, Turki Alalshikh.

Appointment of Mauricio Sulaimán as Ambassador of the Pilgrimages, commemorating the 500th anniversary of the apparitions of the Virgin of Guadalupe

14

After the tragic deaths of boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa on August 2 at Korakuen Hall, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced a series of urgent measures to prevent future incidents.

16

A group of women from the boxing community came together to celebrate an unprecedented year in the history of women’s boxing. With shared friendships and goals, they talked about their journeys in the sport, and all felt hopeful that the future would mark a new milestone for the sport.

17

The Supernova Strikers 2025 event was an unprecedented media phenomenon in Mexico, reaching a massive audience of over 10 million viewers across various streaming platforms. The event, which fuses boxing with influencer, comedian, and musician performances, sold out the Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City, making it a total success. The World Boxing Council fully endorsed this event, providing credibility and prestige through coordination with the Mexico City Boxing Commission for comprehensive examinations, special rules, and top-level ring officials, among other things.

18

A mass was held to honor the first anniversary of the death of Doña Martha Saldívar Sulaimán. The service was officiated by Maronite Bishop Georges Saad Abi Younes, a family friend for many years and a perfect person for the serenity of the event. The boxing community joined together to support Doña Martha’s children and grandchildren.

19

WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and the governor of the state of Morelos, Margarita González Saravia, signed an agreement to strengthen boxing in the state, which includes plans to build ten gyms throughout the state, among many other activities.

20

 It was officially announced that Cecilia Brækhus will return to the ring to face champion Ema Kozin in a fight for the WBC super welterweight world championship, scheduled for October 25, 2025, at the Nova Spektrum Lillestrøm in Norway.

22

The WBC launched the WBC Pet Project: UNDERDOG 2 WONDER DOG, which aims to raise awareness among the boxing community about the importance of pets in our lives.

24

The WBC received a classification appeal from promoter Tom Loeffler regarding super welterweight boxer Serhii Bohachuk. The WBC Ratings Appeals Committee reviewed the case and granted the requested motion, which consists of ordering the reinstatement of Mr. Bohachuk to the first position.

25

The WBC is proud to announce the celebration of the “Green and Gold Tournament” in Bolivia, supported by WBC AMATEUR, an event focused on promoting inclusion and equal opportunities for all athletes. The tournament will take place from September 10 to 13 and seeks to highlight that passion and determination have no barriers. This year, the tournament will feature a particularly inspiring story: the participation of Sebastián Chávez Martínez, an 18-year-old who will get in the ring to pursue his boxing dreams. Sebastián was born with a malformation in his left hand, but this challenge has not diminished his fighting spirit or his desire to compete. His participation is a living testament to the true essence of the sport.

26

The municipal president of Toluca, Ricardo Moreno Bastida, and the president of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaimán, signed a letter of agreement to strengthen ties between the City Council and boxing, with different activities to benefit young people.

27

Mauricio Sulaimán appeared on the Oso Trava Podcast.

28

 It was officially announced that on October 29 in Manila, Philippines, former featherweight world champion Mark Magsayo will face Italy’s Michael Magnesi in a final elimination match for the World Boxing Council in the super featherweight division.

A Zoom meeting was held with 10 presidents of national federations from Latin America.

30

As part of its commitment to emotional well-being, the World Boxing Council (WBC), led by Mauricio Sulaimán, participated in a prominent binational meeting to address mental health issues in collaboration with entities from Mexico and the United States. Juan Sabines Guerrero, the Consul of Mexico in Orlando, was present at the meeting.