can - World Boxing Council

BOXING AND
MOTIVATION,
A MATTER OF
DECISION
BY
DARIO
CHELALA
FOR MANY, A DECISION CAN
CHANGE THE COURSE OF
A DAY, OF A FEW HOURS,
MINUTES, MAYBE, EVEN A
LIFETIME. FOR THOSE WHO
ARE IN A CONSTANT QUEST
TO DEFINE WHAT DECISIONS
ARE, RARELY DO THEY FIND
A REAL INTERPRETATION
BECAUSE IT FALLS INTO A
PERSONAL JUDGMENT THAT
CAN BE SUBJECTIVE AND
POORLY PUT INTO REALITY.
The decisions tend to be audacious,
valiant, risky impulses and they
can change the course of action.
A human being’s decisions can be
what pushes them into the furthest
limits of the universe, such as they
can be so erroneous that a man
could never get up from them, a
matter of indecision for many and
determination for others.
Boxing, far from being a contact
sport, is a decision like life itself,
because similar to it, it is a nonstopping constant that determines
each step we take, every punch we
land, and each consequence defines
a cost, which comes with us to the
final of each round and becomes
part of our battles, of our history.
The appreciation on life’s effects are
based in the elements that happen
day to day, because at the same
time a pen writes, a man’s hand is
the one pushing into the direction
of its decisions. Culturally speaking,
decisions have always been part
of our history, under concepts
that chase us today and provoke a
constant change of ways pushing
different effects.
In 1929 an alarming decision
provoked the worst downfall of
economy in the history of mankind,
which shook the foundations of
a nation. The indicatives of an
international economical recession
and the warnings of experts about
actions were being overvalued
made the world’s eyes turn to Wall
street in New York, in which in spite
of the different attempts to maintain
economy stable, it didn’t succeed
in making the highest investors of
those times stay in the market. This
decision would have made this black
Thursday into a day that would
have provoked massive suicide in
the United States making the great
depression to be forever marked in
the history of mankind.
In many situations, the last moments
in life present difficulties, moments
out of our reach, and us, who
are responsible for the changes,
have to consider our decisions.
The challenges everyone faces
usually change with the different
decisions that we usually look upon,
sometimes right and sometimes
incorrect, although very few times in
life are the chosen options so clear,
so clear that our life can just hold on.
In April 28 of 1967 Muhammad
Ali said no to going into the war
in Vietnam and created a grand
chapter in the history of boxing,
of the United States and infinity of
places around the glove.
Muhammad Ali was not a simple
heavyweight world champion; it was
a constant decision that crossed the
barriers of language, challenging
governments, cultural, religious and
demographic systems. A young
man from Louisville, Kentucky
who was defined by his decision in
1942. And thanks to it he achieved
different triumphs inside and
outside of the ring.
Determination can take a man to
appreciation, because in some point
we are all punched and beat, even
when we though everything was
going good. The impulses of these
decisions bring a second of vitality,
which concentrate all the weight
of an emotional value, the one that
pushes us to take one more step
forwards, a punch, which on its
own, modifies an incomprehensible
destiny. Causality does not exist, the
surprising and the inconceivable
exist, everything attracted by the
force of an inner decision.
The decision and determination of
that fulminating right blow from
Julio Cesar Chavez against Meldrick
Taylor, made that victory become an
unforgettable memory at the Hilton
Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada. A battle
of strategies among both fighters, a
battle for power, speed and courage,
unbreakable for both.
Meldrick Taylor was born in 1969
in Philadelphia. He was a super
lightweight of incredible speed of
hands and feet. He was 23 years
old and had a record of 24 (17 KO’s)
wins, 0 losses and 1 draw, while Julio
Cesar Chavez, the great Mexican
champion, was 27 years old and
had an amazing record of 68 wins
(55 KO’s) with no losses or draws. A
fight that was based on a severely
criticized decision, for many it was a
wrong one and for many other that
is the way it had to be done. Richard
Steele, who was the referee in that
fight, stopped the fight at the 2:58
minutes of the last round because of
the great confusion that the face of
Meldrik Taylor showed after being
sent to the canvas by a great punch
by Chavez, and even though many
rate this as a terrible decision, it was
a life or death situation. Decisions
so clear that the body cannot take
what the heart is asking for, but
those brief moments can modify
history, and make it too late for a
man’s life.
The brief moment that any victory
lasts is born in the deep and invisible
of our eyes, aside to our emotional
reasoning. The belief in one’s self
is the machinery of the moment
that lasts, and when you trust in
the eventualities you can believe
yourself invincible, at least for an
instant. This focus of decisions
makes us forget about our past, rise
in the present and walk towards the
future we are looking for.
“
DETERMINATION
CAN TAKE
A MAN TO
APPRECIATION,
BECAUSE IN
SOME POINT
WE ARE ALL
PUNCHED AND
BEAT, EVEN WHEN
WE THOUGH
EVERYTHING
WAS GOING
GOOD.
”
The decisive audacity of Manny
Pacquiao to fight against a bigger
man than him was not a chance. It
was a decisive planning that defined
the path of a man, even a nation
forgotten in the realms of Earth.
Philippines is a country situated
in the Asian southeast. It has an
approximate population of 102
million of people and one of its
mayor challenges resides in the
infrastructure and development
in sociocultural sectors that made
this zone be practically forgotten
for decades. Oscar De La Hoya is
the living proof of the American
dream, at his 43 years of age,
the “Golden Boy” has achieved
it all, from an Olympic medal to
being the owner of a millionaire
company promoting fighters along
the planet. Even though, in his
life it was not all good decisions.
December 6 of 2008 he had one
of his most extravagant challenges
that gave life to a fight that
nobody thought could crystalize.
The Filipino Manny Pacquiao,
who was already champion in the
112, 122, 126, 130 and 135 pound
divisions, was jumping 2 divisions
to face De La Hoya in 147, and
everything seemed to be a joke.
Although that night at the MGM
Arena in Las Vegas turned out to
be a colossal night and victory for
the smaller man. It was magnificent
for many journalists that couldn’t
conceive the fact that a man so
small was defeating one of the
best pound for pound fighters
in history by a beating. Equal to
that story of David and the giant
Goliath, it planted a story defined
by a more profound decision that
a hundred dreams.
History has shown us the power
of decisions, and to be honest
there are few who wonder about
the importance of taking one.
When you use your freedom of
choice, your capacities to change
or transform, the aspects of your
life are also modified. The decision
rectify sensations, everything is
defined as being free or being tied.
Taking decisions implies making
yourself accountant of a result,
the same as limiting or facilitate
life itself. At the end of the page,
of the day, of that round in which
we are beat and fatigued over the
excess in which life has treated us,
in that precise instant moment in
which we have to remain strong
by our own opinion and realize
that it doesn’t matter how lacking
of belief we are, the truly reality
is to transform in something
as ephemeral as eternal, in
transforming in our decision, in
our own motivation day after day.
DARIO S. CHELALA is from
Mexico City, Mexico. Sports
Journalist. Boxing fanatic.
Instagram @dariochelala
Facebook @dariochelala
Twitter @dariochelala
CARLA GOMEZ is from
Guadalajara, Jalisco. Designer
and Illustrator. Boxing Fanatic.
instagram @carlagomitas
Facebook @CarlaGomitas
INSIDE THE RING
MENAYOTHIN SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS
WBC TITLE DESPITE "BABY" RATTLE!
Chonburi, Thailand, hosted an
incredible boxing match and a great
ghting contest, between the WBC
minimumweight champion,
Wanheng Menayothin, and the
Mexican mandatory challenger,
Saúl “Baby” Juárez.
"Baby" Juárez served up a crackling
roasting, and proved himself a "Hot
potato" to handle! He landed solid
punches from the beginning, while
the patient champion responded
with hard and often accurate
counter punches that quite often
found the mark, to tag the intrepid
attacking Mexican ghter. After four
rounds, two scorcards were 38-38,
and the other one 39-38 favoring
the champion. It was that close!
Menayothin started to edge ahead,
effectively and often using the
counter left hook. It scored and
signicantly, but didn`t stop Juarez
from advancing, perpetually on the
offensive.
Juarez risked everything in the
closing rounds, which inevitably left
openings, and with them,
opportunities. With his greater
experience the champion managed
to control those concluding stanzas,
to secure the victory and successfully
defend the WBC title. Yet Saul
"Baby" Juarez, put up a tremendous
and gallant effort, earning himself
much credit.
The Judges´scorecards were 115113, 116-112 and 116-111.
With this victory, Menayothin
improved his undefeated record to
43-0, 17 KO´s, while Saul Juarez
left the ring with a mark of 23-5-1,
12 Ko´s.
PHIRI WON IN ONE
The Referee waded in to save
Tshabalala, who was way out of
her depth.
Catherine expressed
disappointed, as she had I
putted a three months training
camp for this commitment.
Wo r l d B o x i n g C o u n c i l
bantamweight champion,
Catherine Phiri, successfully
defended her belt overwhelming
Gabisile Tshabalala in the
opening round, in Zambia's
Capitol Lusaka.
Tshabalala could not continue
after receiving a powerful
combination, disappointing the
crowd who were expecting a
competitive duel.
"CANNON" SHANNON AIMS FOR ASHLEY
This email address is being
protected from spambots. You
need JavaScript enabled to view
it...” The World Boxing Council
female Silver super bantamweight
champion, Australian Shannon
O'Connell, defended her crown by
defeating tough Japanese ghter
Kimika Miyoshi by UD.
Initially it was a battle of give and
take, but little by little, O’Connell
took control of the action to gain
an important victory at the
Melbourne Park in Victoria,
Australia.
After the nal bell, and looking
ahead, the champion
commented: “I want the ght
against the absolute world
champion, Alicia Ashley. I am in
the sport because I want to face the
best ghters and without any
doubt, Ashley is a great
champion.”
.
HARDY VS. VINCENT - GAME
CHANGER FIRST ON NBC!
By Jill Diamond
A pioneering show stopping step
forward weekend feat, as
Heather Hardy defeated Shelly
Vincent by MD to win the vacant
WBC International female
featherweight crown at the Coney
Island Amphitheater, roared on
by a packed crowd of 5000, and
it was the rst time women boxers
were featured on NBC TV!
The late GREAT visionary Don
Jose Sulaiman sanctioned WBC
Women's Championships in
2005,and since then the WBC
has worked tirelessly to get
women on TV. We have always
believed that talent, not gender,
makes a true champion. In many
countries, we have been
successful. But television in the
USA continued to underestimate
the public's ability to accept and
appreciate women athletes as
equals to men. So what`s just
taken place on NBC TV is an
historic game changer.
Heather Hardy and Shelly
Vincent fought brilliantly in a
dramatic thrilling ght, and how
apt, as it was the rst time women
boxers were featured on NBC,
and nationally televised. With
the courage, sheer grit and with
every bre of their being these
two went to war! Ten, electrifying
rounds of action, made all the
more intense, because these two
women carried the hopes and the
dreams of thousands of other
women with them into that ring.
And then, when the nal bell
clanged the entire crowd as one
simultaneously rose to their feet
applauding, then waiting
anxiously, for the score cards to
be read. Heather Hardy claimed
a victory by majority decision, but
in truth, women athletes
e v e r y w h e r e , w o n . Pe o p l e
cheered, applauded, wept and
hugged each other, realizing they
had witnessed history being
created.
Maybe one day, young girls will
look back at this historic ground
breaking, monumental ght as
the very one that opened doors
for them. At least, that’s my hope.
It’s not just about the moment, it’s
about the future. And perhaps
someday, they will say, I got my
footwork from Christy, I got my
power from Laila and I got my
nerve from Heather.
It’s a tradition of mine to give
away my credential at the end of
a ght, but NOT this time. It stays
with me as a signicant souvenir,
and will always remind me of the
time that hope came with me to
Coney Island and together, we
watched women boxers’ change
the way the World sees and views
them.
A heartfelt thank you to Dibella
Promotions, PBC and our two
champions, Heather and Shelly,
for sharing their triumph with us.
We are so proud and we continue
to move forward!
DANIEL
ZARAGOZA,
A RING
WARRIOR
BY
FRANCISCO
POSADA
TOLEDO
MEMBER OF A BOXING FAMILY,
DANIEL ZARAGOZA, REACHED
AND GRASPED. IMMORTALITY
IN BOXING IN A SUCCESSFUL
CAREER, WITH BRAVERY AND
PASSION.
Raised in the Tacubaya popular
neighborhood in Mexico City,
Daniel Zaragoza was born with
two boxing gloves on his hands
as his father, Agustin Zaragoza,
was a fearless fighter who even
faced the legendary, Rodolfo
“Chango” Casanova.
When he was 11 years old, his
brother, Aguston, conquered the
bronze medal in the Mexico 1968
Olympic Games. Daniel had the
dream of representing Mexico
in this tournament. However,
instead using the gloves he
preferred to practice soccer.
Daniel was distinguished for
the full 90 minutes of the
match due to his extraordinary
physical condition.
Without getting any support
to continue playing soccer and
after abandoning high school, his
mother ordered him to work...
or boxing as a career, following
in the steps of his father, who had
taught him to throw punches back,
when he was 6 years old in order
to best the bullies.
In July 77, he made amateur
debut and it was evident
boxing was coursing through
his veins. He earned third place
in the National Boxing Gloves
Tournament and conquered
several national and Mexico
City titles.
He visited trainer, Ignacio
Beristaín, who integrated him
in the Olympic Committee,
surprising all America after
winning the PanAmerica Games
in Medellin. However, the powers
that be, decided not to allow
him to go to the Olympics due
to his so called scant experience
as an amateur.
“
AFTER TRAINING
FOR A MONTH,
AT VERY LOW
TEMPERATURES,
DANIEL
BECAME THE
TOURNAMENT
REVELATION
CONQUERING
THE GOLD
MEDAL IN THE
BANTAMWEIGHT
DIVISION.
”
In 1979, and now with the
invaluable support of Beristain,
Zaragoza earned the right to
participate in a Tournament in
communist Poland
After training for a month,
At very low temperatures,
Daniel became the tournament
revelation conquering the gold
medal in the bantamweight
division.
His resistance, stamina and
power, took him to conquer
titles in Russia. And to win the
Latin America belt, as well as
defending the medal he won
in Poland.
With these result, he received
the opportunity of fulfilling his
dream, representing Mexico
at the Olympics in Moscow
1980, where he was robbed by
Judges who took his his dream
after declaring him defeated
by TKO after suffering a
headbutt which badly gashed
his eyebrow.
Disappointed to return home
empty handed, he concluded
his amateur career, with 50
wins in 56 bouts, debuting
as pro on October that same
year led by Ignacio Beristaín,
who helped him to conquer, as
undefeated fighter, the National
title, defending it on 9 different
occasions. In May 1985, the
opportunity to contest the
world title, finally came against
American, Freddie Jackson.
This time, life was fair, as
Jackson was disqualified
after a violent head clash,
giving Zaragoza his first WBC
bantamweight world title.
Weight problems became
evident and in his first defense,
he lost the belt to Colombian,
Miguel “Happy” Lora. So he
decided to climb up a division
to face the rugged Australian,
Jeff Fenech, who defeated him
on points.
Daniel had 2 consecutive
defeats. Discarding the notion
of retirement, he conquered the
North American belt defeating
Mike Ayala in San Antonio,
Texas. After 4 successful
defenses, he conquered the
second world title of his career
by defeating Mexican, Carlos
Zarate, at the Inglewood Forum
in February 29th 1988.
“It was a rough tough match.
Zarate, without any doubts has
been one of the very greatest
Mexican pugilists. Power,
stamina and intelligence were
the keys in defeating him.”
Then, Daniel starred in three
epic fights with American,
Paul Banke, who snatched
from him the belt during their
second match.
...I TOLD DON JOSE, I
NEED YOU TO HELP ME
TO PROGRESS, NOT ONLY
FOR ME, BUT FOR ALL MY
FAMILY. I FEEL I HAVE THE
FACULTIES AND WHERE
WITH ALL TO BE A WORLD
CHAMPION AGAIN...
After losing the crown to
Thierry Jacob in Paris, and
defeated by Tracy Patterson,
Daniel was forced to fight in
Miami, with only 200 dollars as
purse. He badly hurt his right
hand that night.
Desperate, with a family to
sustain and without any money,
Zaragoza remembers he talked
with Don Jose Sulaiman, WBC
President, requesting a final
title opportunity.
“I told Don Jose, I need you to
help me to progress, not only
for me, but for all my family.
I feel I have the faculties and
where with all to be a world
champion again. He replied: If
you don’t come 100% ready or
if you get in bad condition, I will
personally stop the fight.”
Daniel was almost 36 years
old, but Don Jose opened
up the opportunity for him
to face Dominican, Hector
“Acero” Sanchez, in June 95
in Connecticut, USA. Many
experts were convinced
Zaragoza won that fight. He
dropped the champion Hard
in the 5th round.
Daniel remembers Don Jose was
visibly upset with the Judges
‘decision: “You take the colors
on your heart. The love you have
for the sport is overwhelming,
you will have a rematch, you
don’t deserve to be retired.”
In that very same year, in
November, at the Inglewood
Forum, Zaragoza won his 4th
world title, becoming the
eldest champion to conquer
the super bantamweight
division at the ripe old age of
36 years and 11 months.
Daniel wisely saved money
from four lucrative title
defenses, including a victory
over the previously undefeated,
Wayne McCullough.
He lost the belt on September,
1997 to Erik “Terrible” Morales,
announcing his retirement, aged
39 years and 9 months of age.
During his long and successful
career, Daniel Zaragoza,
fought 22 title bouts, shaping a
fantastic record of 55 wins with
28 KO´s, 8 loses and 3 draws.
In 2004, he was inducted into
the International Boxing Hall
of Fame. But perhaps his most
important achievement, is his
loving happy family along with
his wife, Elsa Pérez, and Their
children Elsa, Daniel and Wendy.
THE
WEIGHT
HANDICAP
POR
PEPE
HAVOK
PHOTO BY K2 PROMOTIONS / MATCHROOM SPORT
CATCHWEIGHT AND
WEIGHT DIFFERENCES ON
MODERN BOXING
THE CONTROVERSY STARTED
ON JUNE 7, 2014 AT THE LEGENDARY MADISON SQUARE GARDEN, NEW YORK. THAT WAS
THE NIGHT TWO BOXING ICONS
CLASHED. NATURALLY WE`RE
TALKING ABOUT SERGIO “MARAVAILLA MARTINEZ VS. PUERTO
RICAN, MIGUEL COTTO. FINALLY
FACE TO FACE IN A KEENLY ANTICIPATED FIGHT, TO DISCOVER
THE BEST MIDDLEWEIGHT.
Martinez, aged 39 then, had
not fought in a while as he was
recovering from a serious knee
injury. Confident about his
successful recovery, he started
negotiations and accepted Cotto´s
request of fighting inside the limit
of 159 pounds rather than 160.
Martinez experienced one of
the most dramatic nights of his
career. Against all odds, his injury
remained and that cost him the
fight, losing the WBC title.
Yet, he didn’t present any excuse
and he retired from the ring with
the same greatness he always had.
Fans will forever be thankful for
Sergio`s passion, dedication and
skills. But due to that reoccurring,
injury, hampering him he simply
couldn’t win in what was to be his
last fight. But… Why did Miguel
Cotto request to fight inside
the 159 pounds, rather than the
middleweight limit (160)?
Maybe the Puerto Rican believed
that it would give him certain
advantage. The most contradictory
aspect of this situation harks back
to Miguel being very uncomfortable
with the catchweight imposed by
Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao in 2009,
when they clashed at the Dallas
Cowboy Stadium.
Catchweight is not something
new. It`s been with us for a very
long time. Miguel Cotto took
part in a series of fights that the
audience started to disapprove of
and criticize. Most of them stated
this was an unequal practice, as
the challenger would receive the
opportunity of getting a good
purse but with the condition
on arriving to the fight with
less weight, which could cause
weakness during the bout.
PHOTO BY BEHINDTHEGLOVES.COM
PHOTO BY NAOKI FUKUDA
They were forced, into a position
they didn’t accept/ Australian
Daniel Gaele, with a fine record in
the middleweight division, was the
first Cotto´s title contender. Here
I questioned myself… if a pound
can cause a difference, 5 pounds
are not a marked advantage for a
natural middleweight fighter?
This didn’t happen as the
promoters of both camps reached
a “step-aside agreement”, which
allowed Miguel Cotto to fight one
more time before facing Golovkin
(with approval of “GGG” of course)
and he settled a clash with
Mexican, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on
November 21st, 2015.
Gaele was in an uncomfortable
situation, he had to lose 5 pounds,
more pounds his body could, in
order to fight for the middleweight
belt or, losing the best purse he
had received until then. He took
the decision of fighting as that is a
boxer`s nature....Fighting anyone,
anywhere, anytime.
The bout was a pact, once again,
inside 155 pounds, but this action
started to provoke some disquiet
from fans as they believed both
fighters could easily be fighting
in the super welterweight
division rather than middleweight,
and at least Alarez, would be
contesting for the middleweight
championship. The Mexican won
the fight and the new champion
must then fight with the boxer
who had been waiting for his
chance. However, the Kazakh
fighter accepted a “step a side
agreement”, and Alvarez decided
to face Britain`s , Amir Khan.
Miguel Cotto got the victory
once again and the time to face
the WBC mandatory contender
in the middleweight division
arrived. That scheduled fight was
to be with the most feared boxers,
namely Gennady Golovkin.
PHOTO BY NAOKI FUKUDA
And perhaps it was the fight
that most bothered boxing fans,
as Amir Khan was fighting in
the welterweight division after
competing in the super lightweight
division. This time, Amir, was
climbing up 2 more divisions to
fight “Canelo” in the middleweight
division, with 155 pounds as limit
once again.
The fans already had a very clear
notion of how the bout was going
to end. Without taking any merit
away from Khan as he was very
brave to take this chance, the fight
concluded with a stunning one
punch KO, with the Mexican not
celebrating but clearly worried
about his opponent´s health.
There was a general disagreement
concerning “Canelo” for not
facing Golovkin. Some days after,
Alvarez announced he renounced
the title without facing “GGG”, a
decision that caused significant
PHOTO BY CECILIA ÁLVAREZ
Gennady Golovkin became
WBC middleweight champion,
after waiting a couple years, to
finally end with the Catchweight
problem in the division. However,
now as Champion, GGG
encountered another problem…
who wants to fight him?
speed.. and of course a lot of
nerve and determination. But,
once again, critics noted that the
fighter from Sheffield, Yorkshire
in UK is a natural welterweight
and not a middleweight. In
Golovkin´s defense, he has
not found a better boxer in
his division willing to fight
him and that is why we must
acknowledge Brook´s courage.
Several negotiations failed
and Eddie Hearn, Director of
Matchroom Sport, stepped
up to start negotiations with
Eubank Jr.; however, Chris
didn’t accepted conditions
and Hearn saw another
possibility. Kell Brook, listened
the proposal carefully and
immediately accepted.
On September 10 it will happen.
This will be a date any boxing
fan won`t want to miss, as it
could be the most important
fight night in the year, including:
Carlos “Príncipe” Cuadras vs.
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez,
and the exceptional female
match, Mikaela Lauren vs. Klara
Svennson.
Brook is a fantastic fighter, with
a record of more victories than
Golovkin. He has great boxing
skills, punching power and
Doing a spot of research as
history buffs, we found some
boxers who climbed up of
divisions to gain success.
disappointment with fans all
around the World.
1
2
SOME BOXERS
THAT HAVE DRAMATICALLY
CLIMBED UP A DIVISION:
PHOTO BY BOX REC
3
4
1 Bob Fitzsimmons, from middleweight to
heavyweight division.
2 Roy Jones, from middleweight to
heavyweight division.
PHOTO BY MARSH STARKS
5
3 Oscar De la Hoya, from super featherweight
to middleweight.
PHOTO BY BOX REC
6
4 Julio César Chávez, from super
featherweight to welterweight (he didn’t win
the welterweight crown, he drew and lost
other times he contested for that belt)
5 Tony Canzoneri, from featherweight to
super lightweight.
7
8
6 Henry Armstrong, from featherweight to
middleweight.
7 Sugar Ray Leonard, from welterweight to
light heavyweight.
PHOTO BY BOX REC
9
10
8 Sugar Ray Robinson, from welterweight to
light heavyweight.
9 Tommy Hearns, from welterweight to light
heavyweight..
10 Mickey Walker, from welterweight to
heavyweight.
PHOTO BY BOX REC
11
12
11 Floyd Mayweather Jr., from super feather
weight to super welterweight division.
12 Manny Pacquiao, from flyweight to super
welterweight.
PHOTOS BY BOX REC
SOME OF THE
MOST IMPORTANT
CATCHWEIGHT FIGHTS ARE:
Julio Cesar Chávez vs. Pernell Whitaker,
145 lbs., with the WBC welterweight
title on the line.
Meldrick Taylor vs. Terry Norris, 150.5 lbs,
for the WBC super welterweight title.
Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Tommy Hearns II,
163 lbs., for the WBC super
middleweight title.
Arturo Gatti vs. Micky Ward I, II y III, 142
lbs., in the welterweight division.
Bernard Hopkins vs. Ronald “Winky”
Wright, 170 lbs, light heavyweight division.
Oscar de La Hoya vs. Bernard Hopkins, 158
lbs., with the WBC middleweight
title on the line.
“...THIS IS ONE OF MY
HAPPIEST DAYS IN
LIFE. IT`S ONE OF MY
BIGGEST FULFILLED
DREAMS, AS THE
HEROES OF YESTERDAY
WILL CONTINUE BEING
JUST THAT...”
FUND OF
OF RETIRED BOXERS
BY
PAULINA
BRINDIS
“JOSÉ
SULAIMÁN”
A FULFILLED DREAM OF
SERVING OTHERS
THREE YEARS AGO, THE DREAM
OF OUR BELOVED WBC LIFETIME PRESIDENT DON JOSE
SULAIMAN, WAS FINALLY FULFILLED… THE CREATION OF THE
“FUND FOR RETIRED BOXERS”,
WHICH HAS THE MAIN AVOWED
GOAL OF HELPING FORMER
FIGHTERS WHO`VE FALLEN
ON HARD TIMES, VIA MEDICAL
PLUS TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES, AS WELL AS THE MET
NEEDS AND NECESSITIES OF
EVERYDAY LIFE.
It is the triumphant culmination
of many working years,
sleepless nights and the
heartfelt caring dedication of
our beloved Don Jose, who
was saddened and shed tears,
witnessing how many of the
great legends struggled so
grievously with the hardship
of poverty. Forgotten legends
who so needed a helping hand.
Icons of the sport who having
reached the top with all their
hard work, but now didn`t
have enough money to nourish
or sustain themselves.
This perpetual preoccupation
of our WBC President, inspired
him to knock on many doors.
He was aware that to fulfill this
goal he would need the love,
charity and help of so many
people who shared his ideals,
ideas and his concerns.
Intrepid and persistent, Don
Jose finally found an ally who
loved the sport, a man that was
identified with this issue, the
President of luxury watches
Hublot, Jean-Claude Biver, who
was both glad and honoured to
work hand by hand, side by side
and shoulder to shoulder with
Don Jose.
The great and anticipated
moment came in October
2012; an unforgettable
night that took place at the
Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas,
Nevada, where there was an
outstanding auction, raising
the initial and incredible sum
of ... one million dollars. It
launched an historic new
beginning in Boxing. A
fabulous initiative of sheer
greatness that would help all
retired boxers the World over.
From this point, Ring Telmex
Team, led by Mr. Carlos Slim,
Arturo Elías Ayub and Rogelio
Herrera, have had the task of
supervising and monitoring
new talents to bring them
opportunities. The only
condition is that these bright
prospects themselves inspire
by being exemplary role
models for society.
However, in 2010, it was
realized that another program
supported by Ring Telmex,
needed to be established,
which would change the
path of the sport by creating
a Lifetime Grant to former
legends, glories of the past who
were forgotten, with no one to
take care of them, remembering
Jose Sulaiman words:
“This is one of the most
important and transcendental
Philanthropy acts that he have
ever known in the sport. It`s
completely new. Something
that has never happened in all
pugilism`s story. Never in the
past, a person or institution, has
thought of the benefit of retired
boxers and their life troubles.
This is one of my happiest days
in life. It`s one of my biggest
fulfilled dreams, as the heroes
of yesterday will continue being
just that . We are talking about
our greatest idols. Don Carlos
Slim is a great Mexican who
offered ad gave his friendly
hand in name of Mexico, making
us all so very proud. It shoed
a unique Christian sensibility
never seen before in the sport.
This money will help many
boxers so they can live a modest
yet dignity life. I don’t have
any adequate manner in which
to thank this humane and
wonderful act. I will live all my
days being so very grateful.”
The dream of Don Jose became
tangible, triumphant reality. His
selfless ideal which he never
abandoned has helped many in
dire need. He fought until the
last days of his life to serve the
others, especially boxers. Today,
his “Sons” as he called all boxers
will never starve.
WHO IS IN CHARGE
OF THE FUND
ADMINISTRATION?
For Jose Sulaiman it was
very important to establish
an efficient and properly
administered fund, which he
believed should be totally
independent. So he designated
the Nevada Community
Foundation as administrator.
It`s a non-profit organization
based in Las Vegas, which
manages with great respect and
transparency the support of
retired boxers in need.
With these brilliant results
more organizations have being
helping with additions to the
program, further solidifying its
foundations. In 2014, Telemex
Foundation agreed to donate
$150,000 dollars per year to the
Retired Boxers “José Sulaimán.”
Referees that participate in
WBC fights now wear the
official logo of the Foundation.
The WBC feels is tremendously
proud and thanks all who`ve
made this invaluable help
possible. All of the boxing
family has been very supportive
and with the initiative, we can
see Referees in all the world
using the Foundation Telmex
logo. We want to thank all the
Commissions and Federations for
their unstinting support, plus all
promoters and Ring Officials.
Various organizations have
helped the Fund, which has the
purpose of providing economic
help to former boxers in hard
moments. Up to now, it`s
donated more than one quarter
million dollars but the main goal
is to have a sustainable and
permanent fund to honor and
protect our legends of the ring.
Telmex-Telcel Foundation
generosity, among other
organizations, plus the
determined ongoing efforts
of so many friends as well
as the great job of the
Fund´s Selection Committee,
have managed to secure its
economic viability.
So much of this has been due
to Telmex- Telcel Foundation
led by Mr. Carlos Slim, who
supported the ideas of his friend,
Jose Sulaiman, many years ago,
being completely aware that
boxing in the very words of Don
Jose, lagged behind as the “Ugly
Duckling Sport.”
In 2008 a vitally important
pioneering initiative of the
sport, “Ring Telmex” was born.
It`s an economical program that
helps 24 boxers, 21 pro fighters
and 3 amateur pugilists. This
program´s main goal is to offer
support to young fighters so
they can completely focus on
bettering their skills. At the
same time, they are motivated
to continue with their studies.
The Retirement Fund has
followed on.