By Mauricio Sulaimán – WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán
This has been a year of unforgettable events, which have deeply marked my life—some challenging, and a few truly historic.
I began the year with great uncertainty and a heavy heart following the recent loss of my Mother. However, the pace of activity picked up from the very first days and never relented throughout 2025.
I was away from home for 213 days, embarking on grueling long-haul trips and others lasting only a single day. Truthfully, I ended the year exhausted, but it was absolutely worth it. I traveled to Saudi Arabia seven times; I also visited Japan, Thailand, London, Rome, Turkey, Croatia, Puerto Rico, El Salvador, Panama, and several cities across the United States and Mexico.
One of our greatest achievements was bringing Don José’s dream to fulfillment: the Professional Boxing World Cup. This was made possible under the sponsorship of Turki Alalshikh. A year of such immense satisfaction required the dedication and passion of a world-class team composed of individuals from all over the globe. We held five boxing events, all in Riyadh, featuring 128 fighters representing 72 countries. Many lives were transformed by this unique and unforgettable experience.
The saddest moment occurred just a day after the first phase of the Grand Prix concluded. Our beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, passed away, leaving a profound sense of grief across humanity. He showed us the meaning of a miracle, recovering against all odds just to officiate the Easter Mass, only to pass away a few hours after the ceremony.
The quantity and quality of the fights were spectacular in every sense. Champions faced the best, we saw undisputed titles, dramatic battles, and stunning knockouts.
Then came Dana White from the UFC and Nick Khan from WWE, along with their group of billionaires, attempting to impose their business model on boxing. They have made a lot of noise via threats, insults, and their characteristic bullying—publicized on their own platforms and through purchased media spaces, pseudo-reporters, and cheerleaders.
Nothing and no one is above boxing. This is the sport born from the humblest of cradles. The World Boxing Council, along with thousands of members of the global boxing community, will be there to defend our fighters at every turn.
Our annual convention, this year in Bangkok, Thailand, was impressive. Nearly two thousand people attended, and we established a comprehensive roadmap for 2026. Unforgettable memories were created that all of us who bore witness, will carry in our hearts.
On a personal note, this Christmas was very special. For the first time in 11 years, all six Sulaimán siblings were together. It was a magical night of deep conversation and laughter as we shared stories and anecdotes. We enjoyed a delicious dinner and set our cell phones aside to truly connect with those who matter most on Christmas Eve.
During 2025, I made two special trips to visit people who are vital to my life. I visited Mr. Honda in Japan, who has not traveled for over a year. On January 1st, he lost Miss Nagano—someone he viewed as both a mother and mentor — and she has had to sacrifice everything to manage the immense boxing operations at Teiken.
I also flew to Miami to visit Don King, who, at 94, has faced several health issues. I went with Julio César Chávez for the sole purpose of visiting him, offering our affection and a moment of joy. King and Honda are two of the people I grew up with in this boxing world; with them, I formed my most cherished memories.
DID YOU KNOW…?
We kick off 2026 with major world championship bouts. On January 10th, the WBC Interim Heavyweight Champion, Agit Kabayel, will defend his crown before his home crowd in Germany against Poland’s Damian Knyba. This marks a significant return for boxing in that country, one year after we held our convention in Hamburg.
TODAY’S ANECDOTE
Christmas brings back very special memories because my parents always did everything possible to ensure we enjoyed the magic of the holiday season to the fullest. Year after year, Don José would tell us the story of the Three Wise Men and a “fourth member” who stayed behind to help those in need: Santa Claus, who always had special gifts for us.
The dinner prepared by Doña Martha was a delight. My father would always step away for a while after the feast. When we finally asked what he was doing, he told us: “My children, I went to take dinner to the night watchman at our factory, who has to work and cannot spend Christmas with his family.”
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