The Legacy of Don José Sulaimán: The Revolutionary Impact of Open Scoring
As part of the commemorations celebrated by the sporting world throughout 2026, the World Boxing Council remembers one of the greatest achievements of Don José Sulaimán Chagnón’s administration: the implementation of Open Scoring.
Don José, who not only presided over the organization but dedicated his life to humanizing and modernizing the “sweet science,” but understood that sporting justice depended on clarity. So, he championed the rule of announcing the judges’ official scorecards after the completion of the 4th and 8th rounds in championship fights.
Justice and Strategy: The Goals of Open Scoring
For Don José Sulaimán, boxing was not meant to be a sport of mysteries, secrets or unpleasant surprises when the final bell rang. The implementation of open scoring brought benefits forever changed the dynamic of combat:
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Total Transparency: By informing the corners and the public of the scores after rounds 4 and 8, uncertainty was eliminated, providing certainty regarding the direction of the fight.
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Strategic Adjustment: This measure allows both the boxer and their trainer to know exactly where they stand, obliging them to adjust their strategy—whether to maintain a lead or single handedly seek a knockout if they find themselves behind on the cards.
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Fan Empowerment: The public and the media can follow the drama of the fight with real-time knowledge of the judges’ criteria, elevating both the excitement and the technical analysis.
“Boxing must be as transparent as possible; it is a sport of life and dreams, and justice is the only way,” Don José used to say. His achievements, which we remember with pride in 2026, prove that his management always prioritized the integrity of the athlete and the honesty of the sport above all else.
More than a decade after his passing, Open Scoring remains a living testament and vital legacy, to the vision of a man who did not fear challenging tradition to protect and better the essence of boxing. Don José Sulaimán Chagnón remains forever present in every corner of the ring, where justice and transparency prevail.
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22 April, 2026
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