Round 12: Canada the USA and Mexico , also United by Boxing
By Mauricio Sulaimán – Son of José Sulaimán – WBC President
How difficult it is to talk about anything other than soccer, as the World Cup is getting to its final stages . The NABF is the Continental Federation affiliated to the WBC with the exact same 3 countries which hosted the FootBall Soccer World Cup, Canada, United States and Mexico, very unfortunattely all three countries have been eliminated.
The world of sports has become very small, and that is an absolute reality. Cape Verde, a country whose existence was unknown to most of humanity, was on the verge of eliminating the ultimate powerhouse—Messi’s team— Argentina, pushing them into extra time and filling the African continent with pride and emotion. Paraguay eliminated the mighty Germany and barely lost 1-0 to France; so many other countries have stepped onto the pitch to put up an unexpected fight.
Instead of celebrating a victory for our Mexican team , we are left processing the defeat against England. However, this group of young players fell with immense bravery, fighting for every ball just as they did throughout the tournament, where they arrived with four victories and zero goals conceded.
I attended the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) convention; coincidentally, the very same member countries are the hosts of the World Cup (Canada-United States-Mexico). The meeting took place in Savannah, Georgia—a beautiful, traditional small city steeped in American history. Members from these three nations gathered to celebrate the 59th anniversary of this continental federation affiliated with the World Boxing Council.
The tribute to Tommy Hearns was special; one of the greatest fighters in history joined us to receive the affection of this organization, of which he was a champion early in his career. Steve Morrow, who passed away last year, was the subject of a heartfelt tribute. Marcie, his beloved wife, received a uniform featuring Steve’s image, signed by all WBC/NABF members. On this occasion, an annual recognition was established in his honor: the “Steve Morrow Courage Award.” Year after year, an individual who truly deserves this award will be recognized; Spencer, a young boxer, was present to receive this inaugural honor. Since childhood, he dreamed of representing his country in the Olympics and later winning the WBC green belt. One tragic day, he lost his foot in a lawnmower accident. From the moment he woke up after the amputation surgery, he declared that he would continue his boxing career. His determination and tireless work in the gym, using a prosthesis on his left leg, has given us an ultimate example of resilience, courage, and bravery.
Christy Martin was also present; to anyone unfamiliar with her story, I highly recommend watching the movie that bears her name. She paved the way for women’s boxing. Don King was her promoter and made her known worldwide, even fighting on the undercards of Mike Tyson and Julio César Chávez—becoming the first woman on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Behind the fame and glamour lay a private life filled with pain due to the abominable abuse and domestic violence she suffered from her husband, who was also her trainer. Christy survived being stabbed seven consecutive times and shot. Today, she is a boxing promoter and runs her own foundation against domestic violence.
An unforgettable discussion took place during the closing dinner, a “Fireside Chat,” where two of the most prominent media figures in boxing, Barak and Bob Newman, shared the stage with Tommy Hearns, Christy Martin, Don Majeski, Duane Ford, and myself. An hour of questions and answers; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone present was marveled by everything discussed—stories, anecdotes, opinions, and jokes that made this an unforgettable event.
Duane Ford is one of the great personalities in world boxing; he judged more than 500 world championship fights across the globe, served as chairman of the Nevada Athletic Commission during the golden age of boxing, chairman of the ring officials committee, and is the current vice president of the WBC. Don Majeski is one of the most renowned historians, who has also been a journalist, manager, and promoter—someone you can talk to for days without rest about boxing, its history, and life in general.
I want to highlight the outstanding participation of the WBC headquarters team members from Mexico, who delivered a couple of presentations showcasing all the work being done, leaving all attendees amazed. Congratulations, Esteban, Paulina, Paul, and Almita!
The United States celebrated 250 years of Independence—the celebration of the nation that has produced the most world champions and hosted the most world championship fights in boxing history. The WBC created a poster recognizing some of that country’s greatest boxing icons. From Jack Johnson, the first Black heavyweight world champion, to the current idol of the new generations, Ryan Garcia. Featured in this image are Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, George Foreman, Joe Frazier, Jack Johnson, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Marvelous Marvin Hagler, Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Rocky Marciano, Roy Jones Jr., Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Bernard Hopkins, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Ryan Garcia, Claressa Shields, Laila Ali, Christy Martin, Jake LaMotta, Gene Tunney, and Ken Norton—though it could very well be a mural featuring the more than 500 champions the USA has produced.
Did you know…?
The WBC Super Featherweight Champion, Bruce Carrington, known as “Shu Shu,” defended his championship with a unanimous decision victory over Mexico’s René Palacios. The bout took place in Cleveland and utilized the open scoring rule, revealing the judges’ official scores after the 4th and 8th rounds—a rule successfully used worldwide that we hope marks the beginning of its adoption in the United States. For this fight, the WBC created a beautiful belt commemorating the country’s 250th anniversary, and Shu Shu earned this spectacular trophy.
Bruce Carrington won the belt crafted for the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Today’s Anecdote…
The Sulaimán family comes from Lebanon; my great-grandfather boarded a ship to “America” in 1901, leaving my grandfather Elías in his home country when he was only three years old. Once established in Boston, they sent him his ship ticket to join the family. Don Elías took the ship to “America,” but it arrived at the port of Veracruz, Mexico. It took him four years to finally reach Boston, where they already had a store and a bride ready for him to start his life. However, destiny led Don Elías to meet Wasila in Ciudad Victoria during his journey to the neighboring country, and he decided to return to Mexico to get married and start his family here; from that union, my father José, Uncle Héctor, and Aunt Nelly were born. The rest is history…
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