By Mauricio Sulaimán
WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán
Long live Mexico and long live boxing! This past Sunday, April 6th, has gone down in history as the greatest demonstration of how sport, and especially boxing, which is the sport of Mexicans, can unite an entire nation and show the world that everything is possible through hard work, dedication, unity, and care for each other.
All of Mexico responded to the call of our President Claudia Sheinbaum, who, with her leadership, brought all 32 states together to unite in an unprecedented event with the National Boxing Class.
The Zócalo of Mexico City looked magnificent, with 45,000 people dressed in green, white and red, symbolizing the flag of Mexico, as well as in every state, countless plazas in cities and boroughs, and dozens of prisons across the nation celebrating this National Boxing Class.
Julio César Chávez, Oscar de la Hoya, Roberto Durán, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Rubén “Púas” Olivares were the legends who graced the stage, as well as many other champions: Humberto “Chiquita” González, Carlos Zárate, David Picasso, Irma García, Rey Vargas, Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, among others, who were in Mexico City.
And in each State, the champions were present, accompanied by their governors and mayors.
The teams from the World Boxing Council and Prodeb, under the direction of Miguel Torruco, carried out a titanic effort for months to achieve this goal, with the incredible participation of all the Governors and Sports Institutes in each State.
There were 30 rounds, all one minute long simultaneously, throughout the country, and a resounding victory for peace and against addiction.
This event was also part of the April 6 yearly commemoration of Sports and Peace, and all attending had the White Card which represents the celebration of White Card Day, an initiative led by Peace & Sport to highlight the power of sport in fostering peace, unity, and social change.
The United Nations joined this event as well, Kristian Hölge, representative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
The event was named The National Boxing Class for Peace and Against Addictions. It began with an emotional song created by Jose Cantoral called “Mexico Cuenta Conmigo” (Mexico, you can count on me).
“Mexicans have a brave, free, and just spirit. We are a caring and fraternal people. We never leave anyone behind, and young Mexicans are people of peace and say no to violence, no to addiction,” said Claudia Sheinbaum.
* * *
Last week, the WBC held a women’s boxing summit in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
They were days of great activity in which the boxing community came together to continue advancing the development of women’s boxing as we joined the WBAN annual Hall of Fame induction activities carried by the legend Sue Fox.
Presentations on very interesting topics were forthcoming, with a strong focus on the health of fighters, planning for their future after their careers in the ring, and guidelines on how to increase their market value.
Laila Ali, considered like her father, Muhammad Ali, the greatest, was present and provided a highly motivational talk.
Christy Martín, who opened women’s boxing to the world when Don King scheduled her on cards featuring Mike Tyson and Julio César Chávez, also attended.
Mia St. John gave a powerful testimony about addiction in the company of her daughter, Paris, and the first ever WBC women’s champion, Mexican Jackie Nava, was outstanding.
Top level speakers presented a wide variety of topics which marveled all women and men in presence, with the following being the top priorities:
April 2
Opening ceremony was conducted by Malte Muller, chairman of WBC women’s committee, Jill Diamond as co-chair, Christiane Manzur co-chair of WbcCares, Laila Ali, Sue Fox and myself. Speakers were phenomenal with great engagement by all attendants:
- Margaret Goodman / Clean Boxing Program
- Gian Brosco from Nevada Communitty Foundation / WBC Jose Sulaiman Boxers Fund
- Lisa McClellan / Ring of Brotherhood Foundation
- Paul Wallace / Medicine and science in women boxing
- Dr. Adrienne Toogood & Dallas Ludwick / Mental Health
- Duane Ford & Margaret Tremblay / Officiating in boxing and concentration
- Claudia Trejos / Against the Ropes
- Panel Life After Boxing: Daisy Lang, Jamie Johnson, Terri Moss, Lisa Holewyne, and Jill Diamond.
- WBC All Star Bowling
April 3
- Mauricio Sulaiman / Everything about boxing and the Power of Women
- Roy Engelbrecht / Promoting 101, how to become a boxing promoter
- Sarah Cunningham / Nutrition
- Mia & Paris St. John / Addictions
- Rachel Donaire / Biz of Boxing how to manage a fighter’s career
- Tribute to Jess Silva and the commitment to support brain cancer
- Panel Women in the Amateurs / Lupe & Blanca Gutierrez
- Martha Salazar, Nancy Rodriguez – Cynthia Conte, Moderator
- Christy Martin interviews / Crystina Poncher
Special awards were presented to the very well-deserved women on the following categories:
- WBC University (received by Xochitl Lagarda), Unsung Shero
- Jay Najar, Trainer
- Lina Baker, Photographer
- Miss Nagano, Posthumous Legend Award
- Akemi Irie, Glass Ceiling Award
- Brielle Walker, Bravest Woman on Earth
- Erika Montoya, Journalist
- Analia Maradona, Ring Official
- Martha Salazar, Cares Inspiration Award
- Sue Fox, Lifetime Achievement Award
- Lisa Holewyne and Christy Martin, Couple of the year
- Sampson and Kety Lewkowicz, couple of the year
- Jackie Nava, First WBC champion
- Mia St. John, The Courage award
- Crystina Poncher, Excellency in Journalism
- Cinthya Conte, resiliency award
- Mark Taffet, manager
- Skye Nicholson, Influencer
Did you know?
Women’s boxing has specific rules, as in the vast majority of sports, taking into account the anatomical and structural differences between women and men. Women fight a maximum of 10 rounds, each of which lasts two minutes.
We also will not accept fights between women and transgender people or those born female with chromosomal conditions that give them competitive advantages. These are rules that the WBC will never change, as we refuse to fall for irresponsible commercial provocations and even accusations of discrimination and sexism.
Boxing is not a game. Points are scored, and contact carries serious risks of injury.
Today’s Anecdote
The day my dad announced the inclusion of women’s boxing in the WBC at a press conference in Mexico City, a journalist stood up and, with a shameful attitude, challenged Don José to let his daughters (my sisters) get into the ring in shorts to beat each other up and other nonsense discriminatory remarks.
And then something unusual, that rarely happened with my dad.
Don José slammed his fist on the table and said, “What do you think if you and I go outside, and even though you’re much younger than me, we can clear it up with a few punches?”
What a Don José! He never accepted any kind of discrimination or offensive attacks against anyone.
I welcome your comments at [email protected].
