By David Finger
In a stunning development at the 37th Annual World Boxing Organization Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel has elected not to seek reelection as President of the WBO as has announced his retirement. With elections slatted for this year, many boxing insiders assumed that Valcarcel would seek another term as head of the organization. But Valcarcel, who has been part of the WBO since 1994 and was first elected President in 1996, had kept his cards close to his chest in the days leading up to today’s announcement. In an interview with the Puerto Rican newspaper “El Nuevo Dia” two days ago Valcarcel indicated he was undecided about his future.
“I am thinking about it,” was all he said when asked by “El Nuevo Dia” if he was planning to run again.
However, at the convention, when the ballots were released and showed two names on the ballot for President, with one of them being Valcarcel, the assumption was that “Paco” was seeking one more term. But at the start of the event, Valcarcel let the attendees that he was withdrawing his candidacy and retiring.
“One has to accept the reality,” Valcarcel said of his future with the WBO as President. He then commented on many of his close friends in the WBO who retired at their peak, something that influenced his decision. Citing Russell Mora, Gino Rodriguez, and Michael Pernick retired in their primes. Valcarcel admitted that had an influence in his decision today. “They taught me there comes a time that you have to open the door to the new generation,” Valcarcel added.
In a heartfelt moment that led to a standing ovation from all of the attendees, Valcarcel then formally announced his resignation and withdrawal from the upcoming election.
“I am 76 years old, I am entitled to a few extra golf games with my friends,” Valcarcel said. “I have decided that I am not going to run for President. I am telling you goodbye. At this moment I am resigning my candidacy. I am asking you at this time to please accept my retirement and resignation and to vote for Gustavo Olivieri, our attorney.”
Valcarcel got his start in boxing as the attorney for the legendary Puerto Rican boxer Wilfredo Gomez in the 1980s. In 1996 he was elected President of the WBO and has held that position for the last 28 years. It was under his leadership that the WBO emerged as one of the four “major” sanctioning organizations, and during his time as President of the WBO Valcarcel remained committed to both the safety of fighters and the integrity of the sport.
After his retirement, WBO Vice President John Duggan proposed that “Paco” be named “senior consultant” to allow him to continue to assist the WBO as it transitions into the Olivieri administration. The motion was passed unanimously Valcarcel has indicated that he will continue to work with the WBO despite his retirement as President. The new WBO President will be attorney Gustavo Olivieri Miranda, who has worked as in-house counsel for the WBO for the last seven years and also worked as Paco’s assistant over the last few years.
I guess he’s creamed off enough money in sanctioning fees to enjoy his retirement.
No one associated with these corrupt alphabet organizations is concerned about the integrity of the sport. How ridiculous.
Also FIFA and the Olympics are all corrupt.
Can he take the rest of the WBO with him?
They should all step down fighters have enough people digging through their pockets
Much of boxing’s decline and the public’s loss of interest can be attributed to these self-appointed sanctioning bodies.
These organizations might as well be the cartels of
the boxing world. All of the head mucky mucks are
from certain countries around the equator and
thereabouts. Farewell, Señor “Paco”.
We will miss you Paco……oh, oh, my middle finger doesn’t wanna go down
The WBO outfit began as a hopeful alternative to the alphabet soup in the 80s and after watching the newly formed IBF go down the same path as the others, hope was never too high. At first the WBO was not accepted and treated like a minor trinquete. By the time they gained recognition around the mid to late 90s, their integrity had been compromised. At the head of course, was Varcalcel. Fast forward 30+ years later, and the replacement won’t be any different.
We need a national commission to oversee the shenanigans.
The problem though is no one out there cares enough about boxing these days to form a national commission. Problem two is that boxing is an international, not national sport. In terms of people who care, the ship has long since sailed and is not coming back. There was hope potentially before Haymon pre- 2014. Too many fighters unwilling to take risks since that time. You can’t force fighters to fight! There aren’t even enough good fighters anymore to do a top five list per division, let alone appoint an international commission over site. You can’t nationalize an international sport, you can’t have corrupt politicians running it either. Turki has some interesting ideas. But no have him run boxing in a monopolistic way still is dangerous because all of boxing would be under the control and influence of one man. Furthermore too many fighters don’t want to fight the best. No one cares anymore to make lasting changes.