Alberto Leon: WBC’s Vice President and Chief Legal Council

Why did you decide to join the WBC and in what year? 

From 2004 though 2011, I was a commissioner for the New Mexico State Athletic Commission.  I was the chairman from 2005 through 2011.  In my capacity as Chairman of the Commission, I had the great honor and pleasure of working with the WBC, and becoming acquainted with Don José and with Mauricio.  In New Mexico, the Governor (Bill Richardson in my case) appoints the commission members.  Upon the end of his final term as governor, the new administration asked me to remain on the Commission, but I ended up leaving in August of 2011.  The week I left, I ran into Don José and Mauricio at the Mayweather v. Victor Ortiz bout in Las Vegas, and they, as they often did, asked me when I would join the WBC.  I could not do that before because in the US, as a commissioner, the Muhammed Ali Act precluded me from doing so.  Once I left the New Mexico Commission, there was no doubt: if I wanted to join a sanctioing body, the WBC was the only choice.  So, I accepted Don José’s and Mauricio’s gracious invitation and joined the WBC in September of 2011.  My first assignment was to supervise the Kirkland v. Angulo eliminator, which ended up being one of the most exciting bouts of 2011.

What have you achieved as WBC Vice President and Chief Legal Counsel?

 My mission has always been, and remains, to protect the rights of the WBC, including its President, Board of Governors, and all members.  My main achievement, without a doubt, has been to develop a close and trusting relationship with Don José, Mauricio, and the members of the WBC Board of Governors, and all members.  At a more personal level, my brotherly relationship with Mauricio and the trust he places in me on a daily basis means more to me than any other achievement I could have reached during my time with the organization.

What challenges lie ahead?

Our main challenge is to continue to design and implement rules and programs that benefit boxers (active and retired) and their families, which was Don José’s main mission, and which remains Mauricio’s.  That will lead to a more uniform and homogenous set of rules and parameters among all sanctioning bodies, of which Mauricio is undoubtedly the leader.

When did you become a WBC Governor?

The WBC Board of Governor’s, upon Don José’s motion, conferred me the honor of joining the WBC Board of Governors and Executive Committee in 2011.  Later on, I became a WBC Vice President upon Mauricio’s request to the Board in 2015.

Why is the WBC the finest and best of all the four major boxing organizations?

Because we are designed, set up, and function with the single-minded mission of helping boxers and the sport of boxing at all levels.  Mauricio’s innovative and ground-breaking approach to being the most distinguished President of any sports organization in the world makes our mission achievable.