By Mauricio Sulaimán / WBC President / Son of José Sulaimán
I am writing to you from Barcelona after a particularly difficult week for my family and for everyone who is part of the great boxing family. Life has presented us with tough trials, moments of profound sadness, and reflection.
One of those complicated moments was the passing of our dear Eduardo Lamazón. “Don Lama,” as he was affectionately called, left an indelible mark on Mexican boxing. He served as the Executive Secretary of the World Boxing Council for 24 years, during which he accompanied my father at all times with unconditional loyalty.
After leaving the WBC, he joined TV Azteca, where his voice enthralled and delighted entire generations of fans every Saturday night. His famous “Don Lama’s Scorecard” became a fixture of boxing culture, and his storytelling transformed every fight into a narrative full of passion.
Beyond his brilliant career as an analyst and his many years of dedicated work for the WBC, he was part of our family. He spent a great deal of time with my siblings and my parents; he was one of us. We will miss him dearly, profoundly and always.
We live in complex times, as we often receive difficult news that brings anguish, uncertainty, and pain. But we must pause and thank God for what we have – for our health, our family, our friends, and every opportunity to keep moving forward. Sometimes we forget to value those small moments that truly build our lives.
Amidst these days of mixed emotions, May 10th was celebrated in Mexico and other countries as Mother’s Day. From here, I want to recognize all the women who are part of boxing: the champions, trainers, judges, promoters, wives, and mothers who sustain entire households while supporting athletic careers full of sacrifice.
I think especially of the many Mexican female boxers who trained through pain and fought for small purses, yet still found the strength to return home and remain exemplary mothers. They represent the true spirit of battle.
I also want to highlight the extraordinary exhibition offered by Julio César Chávez and Jorge “Travieso” Arce in Puebla. What they did in the ring – the way they gave their all in every round – evoked nothing but nostalgia and excitement. Both proved that a champion’s heart never grows old.
Puebla is experiencing a very important moment for sport. The state government is promoting high-level events and decisively backing boxing. The fans in Puebla responded spectacularly, confirming the enormous passion that exists for our sport.
And speaking of tradition, it brings me great joy to see boxing return to the historic Arena Coliseo this coming May 15th. One of the most important venues for boxing in Mexico will open its doors again to showcase the future of the sport, such as the charismatic Juan “Güerito de Tepito” Perez – a fighter who represents the neighborhood, the effort, and the essence of Mexican boxing.
He made his professional debut last November in Saudi Arabia, and now he will be close to the neighborhood where he grew up, surrounded by his people. We wish great success to “Güerito de Tepito” and all the prospects and youngsters who will be part of the card.
We are less than two weeks away from a historic event at the Pyramids of Giza, where our heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk, will put his title on the line against Rico Verhoeven. We will also present the winner with a jewel: the “King of the Nile” commemorative belt. I couldn’t resist sharing images of the belt on social media; it is a beauty. Soon we will provide more details about this belt, which is an authentic work of art – simply spectacular.
To conclude, I want to thank Sandor Martín, with whom I have spent wonderful days in Spain. Yesterday, we held a “Martes de Café” on a Sunday and met with the boxing community in Barcelona.
In the evening, I had the opportunity to be at the Spotify Camp Nou to witness “El Clásico,” one of the world’s most important matches between Barcelona and Real Madrid. The home team won 2-0, proclaiming themselves La Liga champions. It was a pride to be in the stadium during such a festive celebration.
Did you know…?
Arena Coliseo has witnessed memorable battles and hosted Mexico’s most important boxers, but world titles have rarely been contested there. The last time a men’s WBC World Championship was on the line was July 2, 2016, when Ganigan López defeated Jonathan Taconing to defend his light flyweight title.
Today’s Anecdote…
If Don José were here, he would be so proud of Julio César Chavez and Jorge “Travieso” Arce for the grit they showed: they prepared as if it were a championship fight, even though it was an exhibition. We saw this last Saturday in Puebla between the two former world champions.
Regarding Julio, my father always recognized his will to stay away from addictions. For my father, that was fundamental. When he passed away, he felt at peace knowing he had helped his champion “Balín” – as he called him – stay clean. That brought him great satisfaction as WBC President, as he also collaborated with other champions who corrected their paths, just like Julio. As for “Travieso,” my father always supported and admired him for his bravery in combat, as he always moved forward regardless of the punishment he took. In Puebla, they traded blows just like in their nights as champions, albeit with headgear and heavier gloves.
I welcome your comments at contact@wbcboxing.com.
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