By Mauricio Sulaimán / Son of Don José Sulaimán / President of the World Boxing Council (WBC)
October is a month that reminds us that life itself is the ultimate fight. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we at the World Boxing Council lace up our pink gloves to deliver a vital message that must reach every corner of the globe: prevention and early detection can save lives.
Breast cancer knows no age or social status. That is why throughout October, the entire boxing family unites in this crusade to raise awareness, promote self-examination, and stress the importance of regular medical checkups.
At the WBC, we believe deeply in the power of symbols. Pink gloves represent solidarity, hope, and, above all, action. This battle does not belong to just one person; it is a fight for all of us. Every champion, trainer, referee, judge, ring doctor, and fan can become an ambassador for prevention.
While we raise our pink gloves to join the fight against this deadly disease—where early detection makes the ultimate difference between life and death—we also raise the banner of education and safety in our sport.
On October 2 and 3, at the Carrillo Sports Stadium in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, we hosted the 1st WBC University 2026 International Boxing Congress. Led by Xochilt Lagarda, this landmark initiative brought together representatives from across Central America with a clear objective: to train, professionalize, and elevate safety standards throughout boxing.
Trainers, judges, referees, doctors, ring officials, and members of the broader boxing family gathered for academic and practical sessions designed to empower everyone involved in a fight card with better tools. Education is the bedrock upon which we build a safer, cleaner, and fairer sport.
Since the founding of the WBC in 1963, throughout the nearly 38 years my beloved father Don José led our organization, and since I assumed the presidency, the absolute priority of the WBC has been and will always be the safety and well-being of the fighter. Every day we work to protect our athletes and promote best practices both inside and outside the ring. With WBC University, our educational arm, we continue to train those who will help us safeguard the integrity of our sport.
This past week also brought the announcement of an extraordinary women’s fight, proving once again that women’s boxing has a brilliant present and an even brighter future. Mariana “Barby” Juárez, a living legend of women’s boxing, and Gabriela “La Bonita” Sánchez have agreed to face off on December 5 in Puebla. We can already guarantee a historic night at Hermanos Serdán Stadium, where an electric crowd of nearly 20,000 fans is expected.
Women’s boxing has gained incredible momentum. Mariana paved the way, breaking down barriers alongside other pioneer warriors to elevate women’s boxing to headline major events and fill stadiums. Gabriela Sánchez is one of the outstanding fighters now taking the torch to lead the future of the sport. They are two legendary warriors with inspiring stories, proving once again that women can and should headline the biggest nights in world boxing.
In terms of pure ring action, this month of October is set to be nothing short of spectacular. Following an incredible September filled with great fights and victories from stars like “Camarón” Zepeda, Ryan Garcia, and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, October kicked off with pure drama in a hard-fought unanimous decision victory for WBC Silver Light Heavyweight Champion Ben Whittaker over Conor Wallace.
The rest of the month promises to be unforgettable:
October 17: Sebastian Fundora defends his Super Welterweight World Title against Ermal Hadribeaj in Carson, California.
October 24: Super Lightweight Champion Dalton Smith defends his crown against mandatory challenger Alberto Puello in Sheffield, England.
October 24: In San Antonio, Texas, O’Shaquie Foster pursues unification against WBO/IBF Champion Emanuel “Vaquero” Navarrete.
October 31: We close out the month with Canelo Álvarez, the face of boxing, defending his WBC Super Middleweight World Championship against unbeaten Christian Mbilli in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Did You Know…?
October 19 marks World Breast Cancer Day as part of an international initiative to raise awareness about a disease affecting millions of women worldwide. This date anchors the activities of October—designated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month—placing prevention, early detection, and timely access to medical care at the center of the global conversation.
Today’s Anecdote
My father was deeply committed to the health and well-being of fighters, and he wholeheartedly joined the fight against breast cancer. Don José held numerous meetings to promote awareness, including sessions with Mexico City’s then-Secretary of Health, Armando Ahued, and commemorated this date surrounded by his world champions. It is a tradition we proudly maintain at the WBC: putting on the pink gloves to save lives.
I welcome your comments at: contact@wbcboxing.com
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