By Mauricio Sulaimán – WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán
Prichard Colón was laid to rest by family and friends in a deeply moving ceremony. This young prospect suffered an in-ring accident that led to emergency surgery and 211 days in a coma. Thanks to medical treatment, but above all to the tireless love and dedication of his mother Nieves, Prichard survived and gave us a story filled with resilience, sacrifice, a determination to live, and a lesson on how precious it is to cherish even the smallest details.
Prichard was an inspiration to many, and now his legacy will live on in the memory of this and many generations to come.
That was a fight that spiraled out of control, during which he received multiple illegal blows behind the head—the infamous rabbit punches. As a result of that bout, the World Boxing Council launched a global crusade to eradicate this dangerous foul, officially naming the campaign “The Prichard Colón Rule.”
It is strictly forbidden to intentionally strike an opponent on the back of the head. This action commonly occurs during a clinch or holding , when a fighter hits their rival on the nape of the neck; however, the most dangerous moments happen when a boxer is left in an exposed position and the opponent strikes that vulnerable area with full force.
The Prichard Colón Rule takes effect right from the referee’s instructions to the fighters in the dressing room. There, the prohibition of these strikes is emphasized, giving both fighters their first formal warning. There must be zero tolerance: this requires continuous training and rigorous evaluation of referee actions. It is time for a new global activation to reinforce this standard worldwide. Rest in peace, Prichard; may his memory be eternal, and may this tragedy serve as a permanent reminder to prevent it from ever happening again in any ring around the world.
Carlos Utria, winner of the José Sulaimán Cup in the super lightweight division of the highly successful Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix, made his Las Vegas debut at the T-Mobile Arena, earning a majority decision victory over the dangerous Israel Mercado.
Additionally, I had the opportunity to travel to Oaxaca this past weekend to attend a wedding, and I was captivated by the beauty of the city, the warmth and hospitality of its people, the delicious local cuisine, and the wonderful atmosphere in its streets. What an incredible country we have, and how often we overlook and fail to appreciate so many destinations that make Mexico the magical place that visitors from all over the world rave about. Don Alfredo Harp Helú is deeply loved and respected for the immense love and commitment he has poured into the development of both the city and the state.
This coming weekend will feature plenty of action in rings all across the globe. In Mexico, David “Rey” Picasso looks to reclaim his elite standing, now competing at featherweight where he will fight for the WBC Silver championship belt.
In California, Guatemala’s great idol Lester Martínez—the country’s first-ever world boxing champion—will defend his title against the undefeated and tough Croatian contender Luka Plantic for the WBC Interim Super Middleweight World Championship. This major event marks the dawn of a new era for the PROBOX TV platform, which will offer at least one world championship bout per month alongside top-tier content for fight fans for just $5 a month. Operating on YouTube for four years now, it is a must-subscribe for anyone who loves boxing.
That same evening in Hermosillo, Sonora, a hybrid event called Noche Suprema—promoted by Rafael Soto and Coliseo Promotions—will take place. It features high-profile matchups with returning former champions like Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt and José Luis Castillo, alongside several influencer bouts.
The World Boxing Council has been working very closely with select promoters hosting these influencer events to maximize safety for everyone stepping into the ring and minimize the inherent risks of a combat sport. We collaborate with promoters and local athletic commissions to implement strict safety protocols. These include exhaustive medical screenings, training monitoring, custom rules with three-minute rounds (or two-minute rounds in some cases), mandatory two-minute rest periods between rounds, and highly experienced referees instructed to exercise extreme caution, including applying standing eight-counts whenever a participant is hurt.
Did you know…?
Influencer boxing is undoubtedly an avenue to reach millions of people who can discover entertainment through boxing and, in turn, become new fans of our sport. Crossover matches have existed forever: Muhammad Ali traveled to Japan to fight for 15 long rounds against wrestler Antonio Inoki, who spent most of the match on the canvas throwing kicks; home run hitter José Canseco stepped into the ring and took a beating that ended his boxing ambitions; Dallas Cowboys defensive star Ed “Too Tall” Jones won six fights and retired undefeated; and Hollywood heartthrob Mickey Rourke fought multiple bouts in Japan. Ultimately, our duty is to do everything humanly possible to protect anyone who steps inside the squared circle.
Today’s Anecdote
My father, José Sulaimán, never drank or smoked; his sole vice was always food. On one occasion, Roberto “Manos de Piedra” Durán came over to our home for lunch. As always, there was a grand feast with a wide variety of dishes prepared by my mother, Doña Martha. Since my father was on a diet, she made him grilled chicken breasts and steamed rice.
While everyone was enjoying their meal, Don José helped himself multiple times to everything on the table until the ribs were completely gone. My mother walked in and asked Durán if he would like more, seeing a plate piled high with bones right in front of him. The great champion replied in his trademark, unmistakable style: “Ma’am, I didn’t even get to taste them! Every single one was eaten by your husband, and he slid the plate of bones over to my spot as soon as he heard you walking in! So yes, please bring out more ribs so I can at least try one!” My mother turned to look at my father and simply raised an eyebrow—that signature look that froze any of us in our tracks whenever we had done something wrong.
I welcome your comments at [email protected]
