The WBC Conventions

By Mauricio Sulaimán
President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán

We are about to leave for Hamburg, Germany, to celebrate our annual Convention, which will be from December 8 to 13 in a city that will greet us with great Christmas spirit and a shimmer, with its traditions which are so special.

This week is a very special one in the United States, as the Thanksgiving holiday unites many families for memorable times together. May the spirit of unity and love reign in as many as possible. Stay away from the phone and computer, put it down and out and enjoy those who are close to you in person. This who really matters. Give thanks for what you have, as there are many who are not as fortunate.

The World Boxing Council was founded in 1963 when the then President of Mexico, Don Adolfo López Mateos, called a meeting in Mexico City of the most important commissions of the boxing world. Don Adolfo was a boxer in his youth, and was a passionate fan who saw that very few Mexicans obtained opportunities to fight for a world championship. From that meeting arose the establishment of the WBC on February 14, 1963, that being the first Convention.

The Conventions have grown and developed impressively. At its inception, it was basically a meeting of the governing board and some seminars with specific topics. Today it is the annual gathering of the boxing community from around the world: commissioners, ring officials, promoters, managers, legendary champions, current champions, and upcoming talent find their way to enjoy a week full surprises, great meetings, and fun among all.

When my dear father, José Sulaiman, was elected President in Tunisia in 1975, he accepted, but on the condition that he had free rein to implement all kinds of vital changes and necessary innovations that this sport so badly needed.

Boxing is a contact sport, dangerous by nature, but before the WBC it was savage, brutal, uncontrolled, and even inhuman. The WBC has been the only one concerned with and focused upon addressing countless issues to minimize the risk to those who step into the ring.

It all began with Don Jose’s vision, foresight, and wisdom. Having been an amateur boxer and then passing through a gamut of activities in a boxing commission – assistant, errand boy, judge, referee, ring announcer, inspector, commissioner of the municipality, state, region, country, and North America – he knew everything, absolutely everything that happened in the world of boxing. Back then it was a cruel sport where the fighter was just merchandise.

Having decision-making power, he began a series of medical and scientific studies, opinion forums, rule reviews, practical situations and from this, developed specific committees.

He transformed the WBC into an efficient business model type of organization, even as a non profit one, structured the activities as such because he had a degree in Business Administration he also deeply cared for its hands on participants and created the platform based on committees; Medical, technical, ring officials, legal committees and as time went by more were created; the WBC has a global platform with thousands of people, dedicated body and soul and spirit, to making boxing safer.

All the great rules of modern boxing have been discussed, formalized, and instituted at the Conventions:

  • Reduction from 15 to 12 rounds
  • Official weigh-in one day before the fight
  • Institution of the fourth rope in the ring
  • Mandatory life insurance
  • Mandatory medical exams
  • Mandatory anti-doping tests
  • 2-minute rounds for women
  • Many, many more

We are in 2024 and we face never imagined challenges for further improving developments, because life has changed so much and in some quarters, there is an absolute loss of values. Anarchy rules, abuse of power there is an absolute lack of respect and order.

Boxing is the sport that has advanced the most for the protection of athletes; The rules have constantly evolved to humanize the competition, many lives have been saved and the quality of life after years in the ring has improved significantly.

Unfortunately, a ridiculous number of boxing variations have been created in recent years that are incredibly popular and accepted by the authorities of some countries even though there has been a dramatic regression in the care and welfare of the athlete.

Mixed martial arts (MMA) has many forms, there are many leagues or companies and is in itself the form of boxing that existed 120 years ago. Brutal, savage, very little or no protection for the fighters.

I repeat, it is difficult to believe that these grotesque spectacles are allowed and that the authorities of some countries allow them:

  • Bare-knuckle boxing – it is boxing without gloves, savage and brutal, cuts, blood, broken noses and hands. Awful and appalling regressive savagery.
  • Slapping competition – Yes! Slapping. They stand face to face and hit each other taking turns, without any protection, until one of the two can no longer stand it or is knocked over and rendered senseless, with no opportunity to dodge, duck or parry.
  • Dirty boxing – New form, with MMA gloves and no rules.
  • Influencers boxing – Highly dangerous as there are no prior medical examinations, level of competition, monitoring of how they get into the ring.

These and many more exist. There are those who organize them, those who broadcast them and those who watch them.

In boxing, some groups of fans, media and even a few fighters have tried to backtrack on the care of the athlete; they seek more brutality, more bloodlust to be more attractive to a certain sector of the current market. They have asked to return fights to 15 rounds, for women to fight in 3-minute rounds and even for anti-doping tests to be eliminated.

The answer is very simple, NEVER.

The WBC will not sacrifice safety and health in exchange for ratings or economic and commercial interests of third parties.

Boxing is the best sport of humanity, it must be respected, dignified, cherished honored and protected above all. None of these variations should be called Boxing. Events with different rules or the palpable lack of them, cannot be considered legitimate Boxing…Period.

Our 62nd Convention in Hamburg will analyze in detail a wide variety of topics to continue with the process of caring for and about our fighters.

Did you know that…

Boxing, unlike all the modalities described in this note, is regulated by government entities worldwide since it is a combat sport; it has been a highly monitored sport and has continually evolved unlike any other modality that is freely organized without any restrictions or adequate protection.

Anecdote from today…

The Conventions are held with open sessions in which everyone can participate with absolute transparency and impartiality. One of the most important ones is the ratings session; Division by division, the top 15 are reviewed and the microphone is opened for anyone who wants to present their case and consider moves in favor of their representatives.

There are cases that can get heated, since promoters usually passionately argue for their fighters, others rise to protect their own in the same division and it is common for the discussion to start; My father, as President of the WBC, allowed discussions up to a certain level and then he would intervene to maintain things in order. I remember me telling me, “My son, what a situation. My dear Sampson Lewcowicz never stops talking, he doesn’t listen to reason, and he is always on the verge of getting into fights with Don Majeski or Ahmet Oner or Dan Goossen, he can be almost implacable. But how I love him.” In all of the Conventions, without exception, Don Jose had to intervene and order Sampson to sit down. It is now a tradition that even if there is no discussion, Sampson stands up and I ask him to sit down with hearty laughter from all the attendees.

I appreciate your comments at [email protected].

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  • Well, well, well Mr. Mauricio Sulaimán
    President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán. Allow me to be the first to point out that today’s weather in South Florida was about as close to perfect as I can hope for this time of year. 73f and clear skies, with no humidity.

    Did you know that…

    It sounds like you’re not in favor of competition. Humans are allowed to support any sport, regardless of its “savagery”. Remember that before the Marquis of Queensbury, we fought without gloves, bareknuckle, with the last Champion was the great John L. Sullivan, and would you believe it, there was only ONE champ.

    MMA has gained popularity and continues to grow because of something YOU and the other cronies in the alphabet world purposely fail to do: have the best fight the best. Incredible concept isn’t it? Take notes.

    Today’s anecdotes:

    We’re 2 days away from Thanksgiving day. I’m wishing everyone here an early Happy Thanksgiving. I’m grateful to be alive, healthy, blessed with my family and with most of marbles. I pray that we all remain in great health and that the LORD blessed us abundantly.

  • Does having the weigh in a day before actually improve safety? It might make things worse. Read somewhere that the reduction in rounds from 15 to 12 was more to suit TV programming than ensure boxer safety. Don’t get the concept that 2 minute rounds is safer for women either. Having medical insurance does seem important.

  • – And the relentless ranting continues.
    – Happy Thanksgiving all boxing fans !!!!!
    – Going to rain all day on Turkey Day in South Jersey………

  • From what I’ve heard your father had dignity and class something you don’t have an ounce of, he surrounded himself with some decent people unlike you that is surrounded by sleazy, corrupt , scum. The WBC is just another sanctioning body today. Don José is turning in his grave, go make another belt Mauricio to bring glory to yourself, you’re great at that.

  • “Not enough Mexicans were world champions so we created another belt” – the sanctioning bodies in a nutshell. How long has this site been publishing this guy’s weekly op-eds?

  • Your claims for increasing safety would hold weight if you didnt allow your Mexican fighters to have increased limits on the banned substance clenbuterol.
    Canelo Alvarez, Luis Nery, Francisco Vargas, Rey Vargas, Julio Cesar Martinez and many more popped. Instead of cleaning the sport you allowed more banned substance to your favorites.
    Removed padding, PEDs, bypassing mandatories all add up, no matter how much you promote the good things WBC has done. The fans are not fooled.

    • The main reason Benavidez and Morrell are fighting each other at 175lb with two fake belts on the line is because the WBC and WBA coordinated and contrived a plan so they could avoid stripping Canelo.

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