Round 12: A Year to Remember Don José Sulaimán

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

Greetings! How is everyone doing? We are coming off a month filled with holiday gatherings, celebrations, lunches, dinners along with countless messages and calls to family and loved ones. It has been a whirlwind of sending and receiving well-wishes—some via generic messages where we let our inner poet shine, others deeply heartfelt with special words for friends, and many more sent through a cascade of images on WhatsApp, email, and social media. Holidays are over, we are in 2026 and life goes on.

The world has marched on: Nicolás Maduro has been captured in Venezuela, a boxing card took place in Puerto Rico, and this Saturday we have three WBC world title fights lined up in Germany and New York..

My dear friend Rex Walker hosted us in a house in Cozumel, where I spent unforgettable days with my family. I didn’t even take my computer; the only work I did was writing my two columns , the 12 round; This column is an essential part of my life; it is a dynamic that allows me to share many things about the WBC and Don José Sulaimán—my beloved “old man.” We will celebrate his life and honor his memory this January 16th with a Mass at the Basilica of Guadalupe. It is hard to believe it has been 12 years since his passing.

Throughout this year, we will be paying tribute to Don José. We will use the logo designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his election as President of the WBC. This patch will be worn by boxers who wish to do so, as well as by judges and referees. It will also be featured in articles detailing his most significant achievements.

Here is the first: The reduction of world title fights from 15 to 12 rounds. How was that decision reached? It followed an extensive process of medical and scientific  research and specific studies funded by the WBC and conducted by UCLA University and Hospital in Los Angeles. The findings were definitive, and a simple formula has been used for decision-making ever since—even now, nearly 50 years later:

Fatigue + Dehydration + Blows to the head= a fatal combination.

The more rounds you fight, the greater the exhaustion and dehydration. Brain fluid is drastically reduced, leaving the brain with less protection; reflexes drop well below normal levels, and physical resistance reaches its absolute limit. Requiring fighters to compete in those final rounds was an empty, superhuman demand.

This rule caused great controversy and resistance. Beyond the natural pushback against change, the economic interests of promoters were hit hard by the removal of three minutes of airtime—specifically the most expensive commercial slots which were round 13,14 and 15.

It took the death of another fighter for other organizations to finally adopt this rule, which has unquestionably saved many lives and improved the quality of life for pugilists after their years in the ring.

Based on medical data, we have also reduced all WBC-affiliated championship fights from 12 to 10 rounds, and occasionally to eight.

Similarly, women’s boxing matches are limited to 10 rounds and, most importantly, the rounds are only two minutes long. A women’s championship fight consists of 10 two-minute rounds (20 minutes of combat), whereas men fight 12 three-minute rounds (36 minutes of combat). Women’s boxing is very safe; accidents in this category are minimal.

The upcoming weekends will be packed with activity as the NFL playoffs begin. It is quite difficult being a Dallas Cowboys fan; it’s been 30 years without a championship. The same happens with my MLB team, the Cincinnati Reds—and I won’t even mention who I root for in soccer… well, fine, it’s Cruz Azul.

Being a sports fan is wonderful; it’s where passion reaches incomparable levels in both victory and defeat. For this very reason, it is our obligation and responsibility to always seek justice and do our utmost to avoid controversy in the actions and decisions of referees and judges.

Subriel Matias will be making his mandatory defense against silver champion and mandatory contender Dalton Smith from the UK. This fight is a great one and has great personal impact on me as a person; I met Subriel 5 years ago in a press conference and I gifted him a special WBC coin and wished him success in his career as a boxer and told him one day I would be placing the green belt in him as a champion, this happened on July of last year as he reminded me of that moment years back; I then traveled to his home country, Puerto Rico where the WBC Green and Gold belt was officially presented to Subriel at “ La Fortaleza” which is the government palace, the first time ever that a champion has been crowned in such building.

Dalton Smith has been an example of hard work, dedication , resilience and loyalty; As WBC silver champion he won a final elimination bout and has been clear from day one “ I only want the Green belt” ; Dalton visited me in Mexico with Tom Dallas and his manager Sean O´toole and we spent memorable times getting to know each other in a very special manner. “ Of Course!!!! “ a memorable meeting.

When that bell rings in New York on Saturday, there will not be Subriel nor Dalton, no colors, no distinctions, may the best man win, I will be extremely happy and proud of whoever is the WBC champion and extremely proud and empathetic for whoever lost the fight .

Same night but in Germany 2 WBC title fights will take place in the QueesnBerry Show as our WBC interim champion Agit Kabayel homecoming bring boxing at the highest level back to such great country and the WBC interim lightweight championship is in place for 2 tremendous fighters Herrera vs Nuñez ….

Did you know…?

The WBC is formed by the affiliation of continental federations, which in turn affiliate the countries in their regions, totaling the 176 nations that make up our organization. Our Board of Governors is composed of commissioners from all over the world. Many of them formed a great working group alongside my father, sharing principles and values with the sole priority of making boxing as safe as possible. I can proudly state that many of these great Women and Men are my mentors and inspiration and their wisdom is the WBC core value; These senior members are as bright as ever and will always be in the WBC family; Enza Jacoponi, Rex Walker, Duane Ford, Charlie Giles, Houcine Houchi, Peter Stucki,  General Kovid and even the young senior Mauro Betti  who is only 70 years old ! My deepest gratitude to the WBC board, executive committee, committee chairman and members and to all the thousands of members of the WBC family worldwide.

Today’s Anecdote

I grew up with a bit of “trauma” regarding my birthday, which is December 30th—a feeling shared by many born around these dates.

We are a different breed. People combine our Christmas and birthday gifts. Before Facebook, no one remembered to congratulate you, and there was never a cake in the classroom like every other kid had. My memories are of being in my dad´s hometown, a very small one,  Ciudad Valles with Don Elías, our beloved grandfather, with the whole family busy preparing for the New Year’s Eve party, while basically ignoring my birthday ( Lol ).

This year was different. My wife, Christiane, my children, and Robbie, Gaby, Pepe, and Annette (along with their children) spent an unforgettable day in Cozumel. I received so many messages and calls that, for once, I truly felt like the “birthday boy.” I wish you a formidable, successful and healthy 2026.

I appreciate your feedback at contact@wbcboxing.com