By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán
The most popular topic in recent times has undoubtedly been boxing in Saudi Arabia after the arrival of a character who has captivated worldwide attention.
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is the Chairman of the general entertainment authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Popularly known as Turki, he put together two events never before seen in the boxing world.
October – “Battle of the Baddest” – WBC world champion Tyson Fury takes on the very popular former UFC champion Francis Ngannou. It was an impressive event to which many boxers, other sports and entertainment superstars were present.
Tyson, Holyfield, Holmes, Duran, Morales, De La Hoya, McGregor, Ronaldo, Figo, Eminem and countless more superstars. Eight fights were held in an open-air arena, top-level heavyweight bouts were the undercard preceding the main event. After those bouts, we all walked to an arena with a capacity of more than 20,000 people where there was no ring initially visible and there was a big stage for a show. There was a music performance by top attractions which lasted 17 minutes with unbelievable light and sound, as soon as it ended the stage retracted and the ring rose from the underground, which was by itself an unbelievable treat to witness. The fight between Fury and Ngannou was dramatic, the boxer was dropped to the canvas and managed to win, but only by split decision against the representative of the MMA.
December – “Day of Reckoning” – Just one day before Christmas, a never-before-seen event took place. Six heavyweight bouts with the participation of nine WBC-ranked fighters, including the Top 4. Surprisingly, Wilder and Mahkmudov lost, and the big winners were Anthony Joshua and Jospeh Parker, while Frank Sanchez and Agit Kabayel made huge statements as major forces in the division.
For this year, there are already two big shows on the horizon. In less than a month, Riyadh will receive the fight anticipated by all fans, the most important in the heavyweight category in at least 25 years – “Ring of Fire” will be held. It is about the fight for the undisputed title, with all four belts at stake (WBC-WBA-WBO-IBF). Our champion, British Tyson Fury, will face Ukrainian Oleksander Usyk this coming February 17. The fight has been officially sanctioned, and even with the condition of a rematch, no matter what happens, there will be chapter two of this epic. The last undisputed heavyweight champion was Lennox Lewis, who will be a guest of honor and will represent the WBC in crowning the new undisputed champion.
For March 8, there is also the “Knockout Chaos” card in which Anthony Joshua faces the sensation Francis Ngannou. The winner will be in a privileged position for immediate plans in the Kingdom, so this fight is the most important of their life.
HE Turki has heightened interest in boxing. The events are being once again billed with promotional names, which capture the attention of the fans and create interest, just like Don King used to do, and it was customary for all cards to have a title of interest. We all remember “Rumble in the Jungle” from 1974 when Ali knocked out Foreman in Zaire, or “Thrilla in Manila,” Ali beating Frazier in the Philippines, or “Poker de Aces,” when Chavez filled the Aztec Stadium in Mexico. In short, it is wonderful to see that this feature has returned to our sport, at least in these cards of Saudi Arabia to give special attraction.
Another great concept, which is wonderful, is a card that was recently announced in which there will be a head-to-head between two British promotion companies, arch rivals, and there will be five fights in which fighters from Queensberry will box against those from Matchroom.
This is what boxing needs – innovation, attractive fights, spectacle and glamour. Just as one day boxing opened Las Vegas to the world, now Saudi Arabia has put itself on the map with boxing, giving great opportunities to many fighters to change their lives.
We wish this new era of boxing total success, and hope that it will be long-lasting and constant, and that our sport will grow as an industry.
A week full of important boxing is coming. On Tuesday morning, boxing lovers will be able to enjoy a great fight from Osaka, Japan. Those in America will need to be early risers to enjoy the fight in ESPN+, and thanks to ESPN Knockout’s commitment to boxing, you will be able to see the fight of the WBC-WBA unified champion Kenshiro Teraji against the tough challenger Carlos Canizalez in all Latin America.
Fernando Barbosa managed to get ESPN to turn towards Latin America and created the ESPN Knockout program, which today has positioned itself as the most important boxing program, since they broadcast in Mexico and all of Latin America all the boxing functions of interest regardless of the day, time or country where these are celebrated, Congratulations and thank you!
On Saturday, WBC silver super middleweight champion Jaime Munguia will defend his championship against the durable British fighter John Ryder, the one who went the distance against the Mexican idol Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. This fight, promoted by Golden Boy and Zanfer, will take place in Phoenix and can be seen on DAZN worldwide.
Did you know…
His Excellency Turki Alalshikh is a boxing connoisseur, and his two favorite fighters are Larry Holmes and Roberto Duran. He wants to return boxing to being the most popular sport in the world, just as it was decades ago. He is a historian and poet, and boxing is his passion.
Today’s anecdote…
My dad told me countless times about the relationship he had with his mother, who died very young at 41 years old. He said that he talked to my grandmother, Wasila, and she took care of him from heaven. When his brother, my uncle Hector, and then my grandfather Elias died, my father continued to comment that the three of them took care of him and helped him at all times, that he often talked with them and that they served as a guide in difficult times. I always felt those comments were a way of remembering them and keeping them in mind, but not necessarily factual.
Well, this month of January has been revealing for me in that sense. During the process of preparing to commemorate the tenth anniversary of his passing, I started dreaming about my dad, very real and lucid dreams, and now I dream about him every night, and even dealing with current issues! Don José is talking to me, he is guiding me!
I appreciate your comments at [email protected].
The leader of the boxing cartel has spoken.. Again.. And NOBODY give 2 *****..Except Carlos Sulaiman..
JT, I fixed the title.
By Mauricio Sulaimán Aka: Carlos
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán.
His Exellency Turki is boxing’s savior.
WBC the best boxing organization ever
The best boxers
The best rules
The most valuable belt
Every boxer Wants to have the WBC belt
The WBC hasn’t been a “good” boxing organization since it’s inception. Before that, it acted solely as the NYSAC under the control of Frank “Blinky” Palermo. There was an attempt to make improvements to the way things were run, so they merged with other international organizations, but ended up making things worse. We went from the champion of the world, to the champion of the minerals, metals and occasions.
However, with piece of history out of the way, it is 100% ok to have you’re opinion Carlos. Nothing wrong with it. We bust your balls without malice.
Who busted me???
You???
Why???
Because you think the NYSAC was better organization???
It’s not better than wbc
WBC came to improve lot of things in boxing
NYSAC did not let woman fights
WBC cares about boxers health and that’s why then changed the fights to 12 rounds
Again …wbc has had the best champions all the times
Now the NYSAC is obsolete so I don’t who you busted?????
Let me translate since there’s an obvious language barrier. “Busting your balls” is the same as rompiendote los huevos. Queriendo decir que las indirectas se hacen en charlas, no con malicia. Si no entiendes, pregunta para que no quedes pareciendo un loco contestando con nada que tiene que ver con el comentario. Entonces continuemos Sr. Mauricio.
You still wrong anyway because the wbc is the best boxing organization so you bust balls to nobody
WBC. Has a special belt and it was given to the greatest of boxing
And those 5 boxers were:
Muhammad Ali
Mike Tyson
Sugar ray Robinson
Julio Cesar Chavez
Ricardo Lopez
The cream of boxing
Now things have changed we got new great boxers and we have to split them in old and new school in order to don’t leave anybody outside like:
Inoue
Crawford
Pacman
Canelo
etc etc etc
I wish your dad don jose , would tell you to run the wbc with honesty and integrity . Am I wishful thinking ? ?
Lmao
Like Don Jose ran it with honesty and integrity?
it looks like charlo is next for the next “canelo act “. its no wonder, real boxing is losing fans to ufc and you tubers boxing . sad
Well I don’t understand it
Before everybody wants to see charlo vs canelo now you don’t want it
“His excellency”! WTF!? Is this obnoxious Murray Solomon idiot back again? Every other day? Pretending to be a loyal subject of the Arabian House of Saul now?
Rear end must be sore from that amount of kissing.
Wbc implement the weigh in a day before the fight
More antidoping control
More weight divisions
Diferent glove oz according to the weight division
Etc etc etc
Those are good things, except the teeny weeny weight divisions could use LESS divisions, but the heavies badly need more, and I think the weigh ins should be right before the fights.
Wbc is synonym of protection for the boxer
The second best is wba who used to be nba but with just national championship fights
Same problem with California athletic commission who let his boxers fights up 6 times per year lol
Or sometimes up to 3 times per month lol
All the years, we the West, built boxing up to where it was. Then we started getting it wrong to where boxing is now. Now Saudi takes over and pulls the carpet from under our feet and has these big fights in their country. This is not all good, to lose our sport like this to Saudi. Good fights happening there, sure, but losing these big fights in our sport to them is not good. The same thing is happening to other sports, soccer, tennis, F1, the Dakar. Look, I, and fans love these big fights, so enjoy them, but the bigger picture is maybe not all good, shows how we don’t know how to run boxing properly anymore.
It’s a basic law of capitalism wether they are practicing it or not. Good product with good service = success. Shitty product and horrible management= getting your candy taken from you. Yes, we the fans get better cards, but we lose as well.
If it’s complementary, I’m ok. If it’s complete absorption, I’m not ok with it
We wanted to see canelo vs charlo years ago , when charlo was active, at his best , drug free, and mentally stable. Not Now. Canelo fans like to “act innocent or stupid , with the “We thought everyone was asking for canelo vs charlo , now you have it” comments. Save that for the ” canelo kool aid drinkers”, since you are not fooling anybody else.
I understand what you saying but we canelo fans are happy with whoever canelo fights
Because he has fought the best except for Benavides
It’s not our fault that you know canelo it’s gonna win this fight
I’m confused and maybe someone can help me. Is “His Excellency” his real name, a title, or a nickname?
drinking too much “canelo kool aid “; like i said they [cult ] follow anything their ” leader ” says
Yea because we can’t complaint canelo has fought everybody but Benavides
Groupie , not a fan of real boxing .
Im not fan of boxing I’m fan of real boxers
The Saudis, should keep that greedy corrupted Cartel boss with all his belts, away from their promotions.
your’e half right, you’re not a fan of real boxing . unfortunately, canelo is not a real fighter . he is just about media hype and entertainment [scripted fights ].