
Photos by Henry DeLeon
On October 4th, 2022, a delegation from the World Boxing Council met with NYC Mayor, Eric Adams to acknowledge Louis Fall (Battling Siki) as the first African World Title Champion in history.
A little known legend, WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman continued Jose Sulaiman’s quest to get the fighter a proper burial and the recognition he deserved.
On September 24th, 1922, Louis Fall beat France’s Georges Carpentier, to win the Light Heavyweight Championship. Initially, the decision was unjustly given to Carpentier, who had been knocked out, until the viewing crowd erupted in protest. Then, it was reversed and presented to Fall, the rightful winner.
A victim of racism, finally ending in his untimely death at 28 years of age, the WBC wanted to ensure that Louis Fall aka Battling Siki would be remembered and honored. In 1993, Louis Fall‘s body was exhumed from a grave in Flushing, Queens, thanks to the WBC ,the African Boxing Union with assistance by James Mercante, and returned to Senegal for a hero’s burial. A celebration was held at the UN to acknowledge this gracious and honorable act.
The program began with introductions by Ingrid Lewis-Martín, the Mayor’s chief advisor. Next, Roy Jones spoke about determination, passion and God.
Jill Diamond had the privilege of reading a celebratory yet poignant letter from WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman. This was followed by a thanks fron Ehjali Dhao, the Senegalese consul.
Finally, Mayor Adams discussed Siki’s struggles, how it influenced history and what his career meant to us.The Mayor remarked that sports can focus and give a path to all people.
The Mayor then presented the WBC with a Proclamation acknowledging Battling Siki´s place in History and donated a special belt to the city in thanks.
During the press conference, the City of New York was presented with a replica WBC Championship belt with Battling Siki and the Juneteenth ceramics on it. We are grateful to Mayor Adams for being a strong supporter of our sport of boxing and for taking a step forward to make sure no legend is forgotten.
Those attending, with dignitaries of the NYC Mayor’s office were:
Mayor Eric Adams
Ingrid Lewis-Martín (Chief Advisor to the Mayor)
World Champion, Roy Jones Jr. (IBHOF inductee)
Joshua Korel (Agent)
World Champion, Heather Hardy
Don Majesky (Boxing Historian)
Bob Duffy (President of New York State Boxing Hall of Fame)
Jill Diamond (President of WBC Cares)
Consulate General of Senegal and delegate
Henry DeLeon (Photographer Inside Boxing)
Lakia Washington (Eagle Academy Foundation)
Tristan Turner, Isaac Castillo, Nicholas Bellingham (Eagle Academy Harlem students)
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