I was privileged to be present for the Inaugural Ring Magazine Annual awards; During this trip I had the opportunity to meet and talk with HE Turki Alalshik and I am extremely impressed and enthused to understand some of his points of view and priorities in boxing. His position with regards to PED testing is strong and is complexity in line with the WBC Clean Boxing Program also his determination to support new upcoming talent will open the horizon to the so many young fighters just looking for an opportunity to shine and conquer glory.

For many years and decades, the world of boxing has dreamed of having a ceremony like the presentation of the famous Oscar statuette, which is handled in the world of cinematography, the famous Oscars.

His Excellency Turki Alalshikh made that dream come true last Saturday, January 11, in London, England.

 The Ring publication was born 103 years ago in the United States. A magazine that recorded everything that happened in the world of boxing, in times where there was no television, telex or fax, not to mention the Internet or social networks.

The publication was eagerly awaited by fans and journalists of our sport around the world. The Ring was founded by Nat Fleischer, who, with his passion for boxing, eventually started a magazine now forgotten by existing technology, but of great value. The annual publication “Ring Record Book” was the record of the activity of each fighter. Even though there are criticisms of the validity of some of these records, it served as a basis for having the historical record of international boxing activity.

 Billy Dibb won the comeback of the year award with a standing ovation. Billy battled and defeated cancer, went on to hang the gloves after a farewell fight in Hamburg during the WBC Annual Convention.

The magazine suffered turbulent times, and in its last stage of existence it was acquired by the great champion Oscar de la Hoya, who has just sold it to the already world-renowned  Turki Alalshikh.

In just three months, the publication returned to its original version of paper printing, in addition to the digital version. Two issues have already come out, and the outlook is encouraging.

Let’s go back to the gala. The entire boxing world was present or represented. It was like being in a time capsule, in the blink of an eye the best boxers of the moment began to arrive, legendary champions and new talent; also promoters, managers and different members of the boxing Communitty.

The legends included Roberto Manos de Piedra Duran, Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Amir Khan, Frank Bruno, John Conteh and Shane Mosley, among others,

 Over the years I have attended many boxing events, mainly the celebrations and conventions organized by the World Boxing Council, and seeing so many champions together is indescribable. On this occasion there was an electrifying energy in the air and the event exceeded all expectations.

I am sure that my father, José Sulaimán, is smiling with great enthusiasm to see that boxing is going through this great moment, to see boxing developing in the Middle East where our blood comes from, to see the Riyadh Season WBC Grand Prix fulfill his dream of a professional boxing World Cup.

Turki Alalshick’s influence is impressive and one of the most important fact is that he is getting rival promoters to work in harmony, and the great fights can take place.

On February 1, PBC will put on its first card of 2025, and it will be spectacular, with David Benavidez against David Morrell; Brandon Figueroa in a rematch against Stephen Fulton and  Pitbull Cruz facing Ángel Fierro; The WBC has instituted a commemorative belt ” the Aztec warrior”   as a trophy for the winner of important fights between Mexican fighters as a tribute to the so many battles featuring this countrymen, Morales vs Barrera, Chavez vs Delahoya and of course Israel Vazquez vs Rafael Marquez . This first Aztec Warrior belt is dedicated to the memory of Israel Vazquez who passed away in December.

On February 22, the big card to start the Riyadh Season will have seven world title fights, The Last Crescendo features:

Undisputed light heavyweight title

Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol.

Lightweight title (WBC):

 Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield.

Middleweight title (WBC):

 Carlos Adames vs. Hamza Sheeraz.

Interim super welterweight title (WBC):

Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov.

Interim heavyweight title (WBC):

Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel.

Interim light heavyweight title (WBO):

Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith.

Heavyweight title (IBF):

Daniel ​​Dubois vs. Joseph Parker.

Did you know…?

Don King is considered the greatest boxing promoter in history, and on Saturday he was honored at The Ring awards with the Lifetime Achievement Award, for his career, in a way that he is practically passing the baton to Turki Alalshick.

Anecdote today

My father met Canelo when he was a young boy. From the first meeting he saw something in him, and from that moment he dedicated himself with great passion to project him, support him and embrace him as a sports godson.

 The Ring Telmex program was started under the leadership of the great Mexican Carlos Slim,a scholarship program to provide monthly support to a selected group of upcoming talent, well, Canelo was part of the first generation and look what he has done;  Don Jose also  exalted Saúl as the next superstar of Mexican and world boxing in every opportunity . Today El Canelo is a reality, this mature and successful young man is the maximum representative of world boxing, and is in the best stage of his personal and professional life. I was sitting between Canelo and Turki Alalshick, and I could not stop thinking about my father and how much he always wanted Saúl to succeed, today it is a reality.

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