Round 12: The Grand Prix Finals are Set

By Mauricio Sulaimán / WBC President / Son of José Sulaimán

Nothing is impossible; some things may take longer, but they will become a reality.

That was the attitude of José Sulaimán, my dear father, who lived to serve others and fight against the abuse of power and discrimination. An eternal dreamer who saw many of his dreams come true, and the most incredible thing is that some of his plans are still being realized 12 years after his passing.

I am in the Middle East, where there are two important commitments. First, a meeting with the authorities of the United Arab Emirates; there is great interest in hosting the World Boxing Council convention there in 2026. From there, I will head to Riyadh for the Grand Prix final, that dream of Don José that is now a reality.

The José Sulaimán Trophy, Flame of Hope, awaits the winners. Each finalist has shown resilience, discipline, and skill. Trainers and promoters see several as future world champions, capable of shaking up their divisions internationally.

Featherweight.

Muhamet Qamili: 25 years old, Italy/Albania, 17-0-1 (8 KO). European gyms perfected his pressure style and technical skill, highlighted by a semifinal knockout.

Brandon Mejia: 21 years old, Mexico, 12-0 (10 KO). The fighter’s power and audacious style mark him as one to watch in the global rankings.

Super Lightweight.

Carlos Utria: 22 years old, Colombia, 13-0 (11 KO). Combining crisp technique with heavy hands, he is ready to make history in his country. Promoters say his style could be uncomfortable for established international opposition.

Mujibillo Tursunov: 25 years old, Uzbekistan, 9-0 (8 KO). Former Asian amateur champion, disciplined, and strategic. Trainers highlight his ring IQ and composure as keys to his rapid ascent in the global rankings.

Middleweight.

Dylan Biggs: 23 years old, Australia, 17-1 (9 KO). Strong ring control and accurate counter-punching define his campaign. Observers believe he is ready for international-level bouts.

Derek Pomerleau: 25 years old, Canada, 15-0 (11 KO). Precision and adaptability mark his style. Promoters project him as his country’s next contender, likely to enter the rankings next year.

Heavyweight.

Kevin Ramirez: 25 years old, Argentina, 11-0-2 (4 KO). From the streets of Buenos Aires to the Grand Prix finals, he combines grit with consistent power. Analysts expect him to challenge regional and international champions soon.

Ahmed Krnjic: 28 years old, Bosnia and Herzegovina, 7-0 (4 KO). At two meters tall, he combines mobility and size, aiming to be his region’s first Grand Prix champion. Trainers say his physique could make him a standout globally.

Another dream of Don José that is becoming a reality is a new scoring system. We have been testing it remotely for five years, and it has been used in the Grand Prix with exceptional results.

Enhanced Scoring consists of scoring the rounds numerically, as always, and qualitatively, marking on the scorecard whether it was won close, moderate, decisive, or extreme. This evaluation gives an additional score to the traditional system.

Another of Don José’s dreams came true some years ago when we instituted the belt for trainers who crown a WBC world champion. My father always thought about how to recognize them because the boxer gets all the attention, money, and fame, but the trainer truly deserves great credit.

Boxing is a sport scored by judges, and points are awarded through their appreciation. They score rounds, not fights, and each is independent. In boxing, there are no goals or runs; the only thing that counts is the scorecard, which evaluates the actions round after round and scores based on what was seen.

We can look at a baseball scoreboard; the score for each inning is there. A team can score in every inning, but if the other scores more, even in just one, it wins. In soccer, how many times have we seen a team dominate the entire match without scoring, and the opponent scores and wins on a breakaway?

Boxing is about winning rounds. Isaac Cruz, a great WBC Super Lightweight champion, was consecrated by driving the arena in San Antonio to total blitz  in his defense against Lamont Roach. Pitbull is on the path to becoming an idol if he can maintain his discipline and humility.

Did you know…?

The Grand Prix has generated stories fit for Hollywood movies. Finalist Kevin Ramirez is a street cleaner from a small town in Argentina and is a natural cruiserweight. Giving up a weight advantage of up to 30 kilos, he has won all four of his tournament fights. The Colombian Carlos Utria became an idol from his first victory; upon arriving in his town, he was received as a hero with a parade through the streets. The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix will go down in history as the cradle of this generation’s champions.

Today’s Anecdote

I never forget what my father told us every chance he got: “The boxer is the best representative of what is needed in life to succeed. He is noble, dedicated, and disciplined, has had to overcome obstacles since he was old enough to know, and his pride and need drive him to superhuman efforts to become someone in life.” The sole reason for the existence of our World Boxing Council is to protect, project, and help the boxer before, during, and after his years of glory in the ring.

I appreciate your comments at contact@wbcboxing.com