By Mauricio Sulaiman
WBC President – Jose Sulaiman’s son

Evander Holyfield is now a boxing promoter. A legendary champion, one of the best inside the ring is now trying to succeed outside the 4 ropes as a boxing promoter. It is not easy and history shows few boxers have had success in their efforts as promoters.

What are the keys of success?

First, the fighter must have a solid team as partners. A champion like Holyfield is used to have an entourage at his service and it is easy to get used to be praised and glorified, but that doesn’t happen when the champ becomes a promoter. HOLYFIELD has made the right decision and has sensational, decent boxing knowledgeable persons in his company, Sal Musumesi and Eric Bentley as leaders of the group.

Second, the promoter must have a plan and take the neccesary time to implement such. Must not go out and sign a large group of fighters just to make the first impression with the usual claim of being “the future of boxing promotions “. Holyfield promotions is concentrating in building talent, young fighters who can be guaranteed continuous activity in the ring.

Third, promote boxing. Simply said but in today’s world, difficult to do. Promote is much different from simply operating an event by booking flights and hotels, making a press conference and weigh in and fill the boxes in the checklist. Holyfield has gone out to promote boxing. Has gone back to basics and is going out to the road to promote, create expectations, offer interesting concepts and get everyone involved.

Evander Holyfield will take the first step to make my father’s dream become a reality. He is promoting a world tournament of professional boxing. Eight fighters in the welterweight division from eight different countries. Attractive concept, innovative rules, safety and health as a priority and excellent matchmaking.

This single elimination tournament will honor my father’s legacy and has been named after him “Jose Sulaiman World Invitational “. This gesture will never be forgotten by the WBC and the Sulaiman family.

The first event will happen in Louisville, Kentucky, home of the greatest Muhammad Ali, at the YUM center at an expected sellout crowd and will feature the following matches :

FELIX DIAZ, (19-2-0, 9 KO’s) of Santa Domingo, D.R. will clash with DERRIECK CUEVAS, (24- 6- 1, 12 KO’s) of Santa Barbara, California.

CHRIS VAN HEERDEN, (25-2-1, 12 KO’s) of Johannesburg, South Africa, faces TIMO SCHWARZKOPF, (18-1-0, 10 KO’s) of Stuttgart, Germany.

FREDRICK LAWSON, (26-1-0, 21 KO’s) battles BAISHANBO NASIYWULA, (13-1-1, 6 KO’s), of Urumqi, China.

PADDY GALLAGHER, (13-3-0, 8 KO’s) of Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom faces BRAD SOLOMON, (27-1-0, 9 KO’s), of Douglasville, Georgia.

We wish Real Deal Promotions the best of luck in this innovation and in all future endeavors.

Thank you and I welcome any comments, ideas or recommendations at [email protected]