Round 12: Fighters are the WBC’s Priority

By Mauricio Sulaimán / WBC President / Son of José Sulaimán

We recently welcomed members of the WBC Executive Committee to Mexico City for our 2026 Kick-Off meeting. We met for two days at the National Chamber of Commerce (CANACO), in one of the most functional and comfortable boardrooms we have ever used.

We reviewed the agreements from our last convention and established the year’s action plan. Attendees included Rex Walker, President of the Youth World Championship Committee; Alberto León, Vice President and head of the Legal Committee; Robert Lenhardt, International Secretary; Mike George, President of the Silver  Championship; Marcos Arienti, Director of the Amateur Committee; Jill Diamond and Christiane Manzur, Directors of WBC Cares; Alberto Guerra, President of the Caribbean Federation; Misty Moravec; Joel Campuzano, President of the International Boxing & MMA Consultants; Andy Kluger, President of BoxMed; Xóchitl Lagarda, Director of WBC University; Martín Sulaimán, Director of WBC Video; Martín Bater, PR and Media Agency in the USA; Guillermo Moreno, WBC Store; and thirty members from the Mexico central office.

During Wednesday’s meeting, it was confirmed that the US Congress has introduced a bill to modify how boxing is regulated in that country. Speculation exploded immediately, and we took it upon ourselves to issue an Open Letter to the Boxing Community (https://wbcboxing.com/en/open-letter-to-the-boxing-community/).

The UFC is a company dedicated to promoting Mixed Martial Arts; this is very different from being a boxing promoter. Through a successful political strategy, they managed to ensure their sport is not subject to the Muhammad Ali Act, which regulates boxing in the US. The UFC is not just the promoter of the events; they own everything: television rights, sponsorships, revenue, and fighter contracts. They create their own rankings, rules, sanction the fights, and award the championships—it is a closed world. The fortune generated by the UFC totals billions of dollars simply because, of everything generated, 83 percent goes to the UFC and only 17 percent goes to those who step into the cage to fight.

In boxing, the sanctioning bodies have nothing to do with the business; that belongs to the promoters, and it is where the money is split 80-20 in favor of the boxer. The UFC group created a company, Zuffa, and has begun activity as a boxing promoter. They held their first event on Friday, and it took place under the same conditions as other promoters—under the Muhammad Ali Act—since their reform has not yet passed.

The main event featured Callum Walsh, who has had a great relationship with the WBC. His social media is full of posts with his WBC belt and testimonials of how his dream since childhood was to be a WBC World Champion. Unfortunately, they prohibited him from defending his title, and he relinquished it. He is a super welterweight, but Zuffa will not hold fights in that division, so he had to fight at middleweight. Even though he won, he looked mediocre at best; he was dropped to the canvas and won a 10-round decision without impressing anyone. Weight categories exist for a reason, I sincerely hope Callum can grow into middleweight and have a successful career.

Dana White, of Zuffa, insists he does not wish to work with sanctioning bodies, yet his actions are highly contradictory. They have just signed the IBF Cruiserweight World Champion, Opetaia, to be promoted by their company, and they have reportedly approached other champions, such as Ukraine’s Oleksandr Usyk.

The Chávez family celebrated the return of the legend’s sons; Julio César Jr. and Omar won their fights in a sensational event in San Luis. The Great Mexican Champion looked happy to see his “kids” back in shape, focused, and with knockout victories. It is a success story, especially for Julio, who went through “hell” last year. I was very pleased to see his discipline and determination to return to a good life, far from addictions and with the desire to be a world-class fighter again.

Another great piece of news was the presentation of Supernova 2, an influencer event that has generated massive interest, supported by the WBC. We are proud to see that medical and regulatory measures are being taken to protect the fighters. The main event will feature the well-known Alana Flores, who defeated Gala Montes in Supernova 1, against Samadhi Zendejas.

DID YOU KNOW…?

This week’s Martes de Café (our traditional press conference ) featured a display of “Women’s Power.” The sensation of the moment, Camila Zamorano, presented her event in Hermosillo, Sonora, on February 21. Gabriela “La Bonita” Sánchez presented her March 28 card in Puebla, which will be a rematch against Argentina’s Tamara Demarco.

TODAY’S ANECDOTE

Rex Walker joined the WBC through the person who ran our membership program, our beloved Mauricio Moreno, who passed away last year. From his first meeting with Don José, a deep friendship was born. After many conversations where my father shared his ideas for the future, they shaped the program that Rex still leads today.

“My dear Rex, there is so much talent in the world—many young kids who need to find a safe platform to develop their skills. Therefore, I have decided to put the Under-23 Youth World Championship in your hands.”

Rex has led the program for 27 years with incredible results. Many who were crowned there have gone on to become world champions, such as Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, Julio César Chávez Jr., Danny García, Brian Viloria, Devin Haney, Timothy Bradley, and Jorge Arce, among others.

I welcome your comments at contact@wbcboxing.com