Round 12: One of the greatest heavyweights in history has passed away
By Mauricio Sulaimán – WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán
The final bell rang on Friday for one of the greatest boxers in history, George Foreman, who passed away surrounded by his family, thus forever closing a magical era in the heavyweight division.
Big George has joined Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Ken Norton, and Sonny Liston in Heaven.
That era in which the heavyweight champion was considered the most feared and revered man on the planet and was known far and wide. Now, the leader of this legacy is the great Larry Holmes, who is the oldest living heavyweight champion of the world.
The passing our beloved George had a profound impact on me, as my memories of my father immediately came flooding back. The relationship between Don José and all of the aforementioned, was very special, and George was always very close to my father.
There’s a home recording of a meeting between Don King, Foreman, and my dad, which tells the story unknown to everyone. When Frazier defeated Ali, the promoters wanted a direct rematch, but the WBC rejected it because George Foreman was the mandatory challenger. Frazier insisted on a rematch and was given 48 hours to sign the fight. My dad received a call from Muhammad Ali, who said, “Jose, if Frazier doesn’t fight Foreman, I’ll fly out tomorrow to sign my fight against Foreman for the vacant title.”
Hours later, Frazier signed, and thus Foreman became WBC world champion by knocking out Joe in two rounds, after knocking him down six times. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh2R_vQbHFM
George had a very special relationship with Mexico, as iit was precisely at the 1968 Olympic Games that he won gold in the Arena México. Unlike some athletes of color who demonstrated against racism, Foreman’s image spread around the world, holding a small flag of the USA in the center of the ring .
In October 2018, my dear friend Horacio de la Vega was in charge of the 50th anniversary celebration of the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, and among many other activities, we brought Big George to Mexico City. We went to the Arena México. Daniel Aceves, president of the Mexican Medalists Committee, brought together many boxing medal winners. Foreman entered the ring and spent 15 minutes looking toward the locker room exit, walked around the ring, and visibly moved, reliving those moments of glory in his mind.
George won the WBC title in 1973. At that time, there was no green belt, so unique belts were made for champions. His belt was fittingly large and read: “Heavyweight Champion, George Forema,” in black and purple velvet. Years later, in 1980, he was invited to a grand celebration at the United Nations headquarters attended by Ali, Frazier, Spinks, Leonard, Argüello, Mantequilla Napoles, and other luminaries, who received the new Green and Gold Belt.. Foreman was unable to attend, and his belt was by our dear friend Ernesto Vidal, laying there in a drawer for 38 years. One day I received a call from ernesto telling me this story and it was then that we received this unique piece of history.
During his 2018 visit, on an unforgettable Martes de Café press conference, we surprised him by presenting him with the belt, complete with a handwritten message and Don José’s signature.
There are very few people who are still alive from that era of glory and who were intimately linked to the champion: Don King, who promoted some of his fights, including The Rumble in the Jungle against Muhammad Ali in Zaire; Bob Arum, who promoted Foreman’s return to the ring years after his prolonged retirement, and eventually won his second championship at age 45 by knocking out Michael Moorer. George’s eternal publicist, Bill Caplan, who accompanied him throughout his marathon career in the rings well as in his personal life, and Don Majeski, who, at a very young age, covered the fight in Zaire as a journalist.
A sad, sad week for boxing. In addition to Foreman’s death, another great champion, Livingstone Bramble, and British journalist Colin Hart, who was a great friend of my father, passed away. God rest them in His Holy Glory and may their memory be eternal.
There was important activity worldwide this past weekend. In Australia Skye Nicholson who made her homecoming world championship fight lost in a very close fight against mandatory contender Tiara Brown test another sensational bout putting women on top of the world.
Our proud super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora made a statement in knocking out Booker in four rounds. At the end of the fight an unbelievable moment happened as Papa Fundora took off his army uniform only to show a beautiful t shirt with the images of Don Jose and Martha Sulaiman , my dear parents with the legend written in the back: “The strength of a family, like the strength of an army, lies in its loyalty, to each other”.
Next Saturday, world boxing returns to Mexico. Our interim WBC lightweight champion, William Camarón Zepeda, will face former world champion Tevin Farmer in Cancún, promoted by Oscar de la Hoya and Pepe Gómez. This is a rematch, following a split decision that gave Zepeda the victory and WBC interim championship.
On Sunday, WBC Straw-weight champion, Melvin Jerusalem and Yudai Shigeoka, will have a long-awaited rematch at the Aichi Sky Expo in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
Did you know?
Cancún has been a very important destination for boxing. When Hurricane Wilma devastated the paradise destination, boxing took up the mantle, and under Don José’s leadership, the Night of Champions was organized at Xcaret; a gala that brought together 98 world champions from all eras, thus opening Cancún to the world. Floyd, Lennox, Holyfield, Duran, Arguello, chavez and so many legends were present to make this one of the greatest gatherings in the history of boxing.
The only world heavyweight championship fight was also held in the Cancún bullring, promoted by Don King as Samuel Peter defeated Oleg Masakev capturing the WBC title.Together with Pepe Gómez, they have hosted multiple fight cards with all the world’s promoters, in addition to three WBC World Conventions, the Second World Medical Congress, and Canelo back in 2012, opened Cancún to the world when H1N1 hit Mexico.
Today’s Anecdote
Don José reached an agreement with the luxury watches brand Hublot, after my friend Salvador Briman introduced us to the brand in 2012. A collection of the legends’ 12 watches was created; One of them was presented to the champion, and the other piece was auctioned at a gala in Las Vegas.
All the money raised at the event was donated to the José Sulaimán Champions Fund, which is independently admnisterd by the nevada community foundation . That night there was great anticipation, but also nervousness, as it was crucial to reach the goal of one million dollars. Almost everyone was there: Lennox Lewis, Chávez, Durán, Hearns, Azumah Nelson, Jeff Fenech, De La Hoya, Leonard, and, of course, George Foreman.
The first watch in the auction was Ken Norton, after a deathly silence, George Foreman raised his bidding paddle and set a price for the watch. From then on, it’s all history. The crowd rallied, and it was an emotional night that raised one million dollars. “This is one of the happiest moments of my life; my dream of having a relief fund for boxers facing health, housing, and food issues is now a reality. Thank you Hublot! Thank you, champions! And long live the World Boxing Council!” commented Mr. José Sulaimán with a big smile.
I welcome your comments at contact@wbcboxing.com
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