Round 12: A Big Green and Gold July

By Mauricio Sulaimán – President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

Im on my last stop from the long journey which began a month ago as I traveled to Riyadh for Phase 2 of there Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix , followed with the Amazing Muaythai Festivalheld in Verona , Italy, Istambul, Capadocia, Croatia and will fly tomorrow to New York to be present at the sensational card on July 12.

I have been very concerned about the news that flooded media and social media outlets with regards to Julio Cesar Jr Detention in the USA and the warrants by authorities in Mexico. I trust that he will be treated according to the law and may everything be cleared as soon as possible .
It is unfortunate to see how social media, certain journalists, and many pseudo-journalists have turned this into a sensationalist spectacle. The truth will come out through the proper legal process and investigations. Only then can we judge and speak accurately.
I send my love and solidarity to Julio César Chávez and his family during this difficult time.

This July will be historic in terms of the incredible level of activity our organization will have — both in the number and quality of world championship fights. It’s going to be a month packed with action:

July 11 – Madison Square Garden, New York City
A groundbreaking all-women’s event, broadcast by Netflix:
Taylor vs Serrano III – WBC Super Lightweight Title
Baumgardner vs Miranda – WBC Super Featherweight Title
Mercado vs Scotney – WBC Super Bantamweight Title
Johnson vs Metcalf – WBC Bantamweight Title
Cameron vs Camara – Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title

July 12 – Barclays Center, New York
The third event in the elite “The Ring” series:
Berlanga vs Sheeraz – WBC Super Middleweight Title Eliminator
Puello vs Matías – WBC Super Lightweight Title
Stevenson vs Zepeda – WBC Lightweight Title

July 19 – Wembley Stadium, London
A massive heavyweight showdown to crown an undisputed champion:
Oleksandr Usyk vs Daniel Dubois – WBC, WBO, WBA & IBF Heavyweight Titles
Lawrence Okolie vs Kevin Lerena – WBC Silver Heavyweight Title

July 19 – Ford Center, Frisco, Texas
Jesse “Bam” Rodríguez begins his quest to become undisputed at super flyweight:
Jesse Rodríguez vs Phumelela Cafu

July 19 – MGM Grand, Las Vegas
Manny Pacquiao makes a historic return in a stacked card featuring two major rematches:
Manny Pacquiao vs Mario Barrios – WBC Welterweight World Title
Sebastián Fundora vs Tim Tszyu – WBC Super Welterweight World Title
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs Ángel Fierro – Interim WBC Super Lightweight Title

July 26 – Flint, Michigan
The best female boxer of this era returns home to defend her title:
Claressa Shields vs Lani Daniels

July 26 – Madison Square Garden, New York
Josh Carrington eyes the interim title as a step toward the WBC Featherweight Champion:
Bruce Carrington vs Mateus Heita – Interim WBC Featherweight Title

July 26 – San Diego
Lorenzana defends his silver belt on the border:
Lázaro Lorenzana vs Agustín Arriegue

July 30 – Yokohama, Japan
Ken Shiro Teraji defends his world title before his home crowd:
Ken Shiro Teraji vs Ricardo Sandoval

Did You Know…?

Women’s boxing has its own set of rules, as is the case in most sports, recognizing the anatomical and structural differences between men and women. Women currently compete in a maximum of 10 rounds, with each round lasting two minutes.
The WBC will not sanction bouts between women and transgender individuals or individuals born female who possess chromosomal conditions that may result in a competitive advantage.
These are rules the World Boxing Council will never change. We refuse to yield to commercial pressures or reckless accusations of discrimination or sexism. Boxing is not a game — it’s a full-contact sport with serious injury risks.

Today’s Anecdote

When my father announced — during a press conference in Mexico City — that women’s boxing would be included under the WBC’s umbrella, one reporter stood up and shamefully challenged him, asking whether he’d allow his own daughters (my sisters) to get in the ring in shorts and punch each other, along with a series of other absurd remarks.
What happened next was something that rarely occurred. Don José slammed his fist on the table and said:

“Why don’t you and I step outside right now, and even though you’re much younger than me, we settle this with a few punches?”
Ah, Don José! He never tolerated discrimination or offensive attacks from anyone. I wonder what that same reporter would think today, seeing women headlining major cards at the most iconic boxing venues in the world?

I welcome your thoughts: contact@wbcboxing.com