By Mauricio Sulaimán – President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán
A week with a lot of activity in the world of boxing, mainly in terms of announcements and promotional events in New York City.
On Tuesday a press conference was held in which the creation of a new boxing promotional company was announced. Multi-billion dollar companies with great experience and influence in the sport have reached an agreement. The UFC, which is a promoter of Mixed Martial Arts, WWE, promoter of Wrestling and HE Turki Alalshikh, who is the leader of Riyadh Season and Minister of Entertainment of Saudi Arabia, who in just under two years has revolutionized the world of boxing, by promoting a large number of events at the highest level, signed a contract for four fights with the most important boxer in the world, the Mexican Saul Canelo Álvarez.
This presentation activated an infinite number of reactions from all components of the boxing industry. Even though not the slightest detail of how this company will operate was given, speculation, rumors and gossip immediately arose like a tsunami in the media and social networks.
The WBC’s position is clear and simple. We are not going to speculate, much less put obstacles in the way of the arrival of a new company. Rather, we will offer openness and full support to those who promote boxing. These are very important companies, and therefore, we should assume that they will bring great opportunities and marvelous benefits for boxers.
We are not going to fall into provocations nor reacting to so many lines and shades of opinion, in which negative scenarios are presented, people and groups trying to wield knives by proposing scenarios of confrontation between the actors and elements of the current boxing industry.
Boxing is a sport that has worldwide activity, it has been and will always be very popular and all boxers come from a long process of formation starting in the small gyms of the world. There are multiple gyms, small promotions that lead to bigger opportunities for the rising talent and then on to the bigger stage. There is room for everyone in boxing .
The following day, the boxing promotion that will take place in The City That Never Sleeps, precisely in Times Square, was presented, something never seen before, a glamorous event that positions our sport in great shape, attracting attention worldwide. This card presents three very attractive fights with highly recognized boxers.
Ryan Garcia’s return to the ring to face Rolando Romero for the WBA welterweight world championship. WBC multi-champion Devin Haney against former champion Jose Carlos Ramirez, and WBO super lightweight champion Teofimo Lopez against Arnold Barboza Jr.
It is great to see several boxing promoters collaborate in putting this mega event together including Golden Boy, Matchroom, Top Rank and PBC.
One of the greatest positives from Riyadh Season Series of Boxing has been to see the collaboration between promoters who in the past would not sit down to make matches and this has given fans sensational fights between the best boxers of the moment.
Finally, on Thursday, the fight of Canelo, who is WBC, WBO and WBA super middleweight champion, against IBF champion William Scull was presented. This fight will take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on May 3, which will be the first time that the Mexican Super Star leaves the American Continent to fight.
At the end of the press conference, an action took place that immediately went around the world, and once again in just two days, it set the speculation of Tuesday’s announcement on fire. I have received countless messages and requests for interviews to comment on the subject and I definitely decided not to fall into the circus of biased and speculative notes.
At the time of posing for the official photograph, the great manager and trainer Eddy Reynoso passed the Green and Gold Belt to Canelo, and the video shows His Excellency Turki Alalshikh making a comment with a head movement that appears to be a “no.” Many people commented that by zooming in what he was saying was: no problem.
The world of social networks was given free rein with aggressive and conspiratorial comments claiming that this new group is against the WBC.
Our position is firm and consistent. We are not going to react to confusing or indirect situations, much less create a hostile environment in the world of boxing. WE are all for unity, mutual collaboration and support and
Boxing is a great sport, it is the one that offers opportunities, gives chances and opens up a bright future to people, who otherwise would have no way out of humble circumstances. Boxing creates idols from the neighborhood, the city, the country and the world.
The WBC owes itself to the boxer. We exist for the boxer, before, during and after their years of glory in the ring.
The WBC supports promoters, without promoters there is no boxing and we will always be open to projecting new ideas, programs, tournaments and any other activity that is beneficial to the sport and above all to its members.
In conclusion, welcome to the new promotional group, which does not even have a name yet. We wish them success and we hope they do wonderful things for boxing. Welcome to the new era of Ring magazine, which Oscar de la Hoya sold to HE Turki Alalshikh who has returned to its print format, with a lot of activity on social networks and also a digital platform to communicate global news about our sport.
I emphatically refuse and decline to comment on anything else that is said and much less to encourage distancing between the world boxing community.
On Friday I was invited to the program called Queremos rock, by Toño Esquinca and the crowd. It was one of the most fun moments I remember in a long time. Toño is admirable, I have been listening to him on Alfa 91.3 for years and it is incredible how he spreads positivity, joy and invites reflection. I have never heard him be negative and I really enjoyed being able to talk about my passion for music.
Did you know that…?
The WBC is about to start the last great dream of my father, José Sulaimán, a World Cup of professional boxing. The Riyadh Season WBC Grand Prix will begin in Saudi Arabia in April, and it is a collaboration between our organization and HE Turki Alalshikh. There will be 128 boxers from 43 countries who will meet to seek the José Sulaimán Trophy in the featherweight, super lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions. There is great enthusiasm and young prospects are getting ready to pursue their dreams.
Today’s anecdote
Since I was a child I dreamed of having a drum kit to play, because my brothers Pepe, Héctor and Fernando made me a great fan of rock. One Friday back in 1982, my dad invited more than 70 people to breakfast at our home. It was the meeting place before driving to the city Cocoyoc, where a Congress of Sports Medicine and Boxing was held, headed by Muhammad Ali, Don King, Omar Sharif, Don Gilberto Mendoza, who was the President of the WBA, as well as doctors, boxers and others.
My mom magnificently triumphed and accomplished with a banquet, Arabic, Mexican food, eggs, and fruit, in short, it was wonderful and wondrous … As we were leaving, my dad came to the kitchen and said: “Martha, my love, how amazing! What an incredible way to welcome my guests, everything was delicious; everyone left happy. Thank you!” My mom only said: “Jose, I need to buy something.” Without hesitation he replied: “Of course, darling! Whatever you want, whatever, go ahead, see you on Monday.” My mom asked me to come back home on Sunday, and when I got home, she greeted me, walked me to our playroom and showed with great joy my drum kit, that was the thing she needs to buy…
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