All Photos By Boxing Bob Newman
The opening ceremony of the 63rd annual WBC convention in Bangkok, Thailand is being hosted at the Marriott Marquis Queen Par Hotel this year. The grand ballroom was the place it happened this morning. The traditional Thai Klong Sabat Chai drum show entertained the delegation from the start.
Unlike past opening ceremonies, some awards were bestowed right from the outset. The Bravest Man award was given by original Bravest Man Bridger Walker, to Pedro Silva, father of young female amateur boxer Jessily Silva, who passed last year after a three year battle with brain cancer.
Musa Abdraim of Kazakhstan was awarded the champion of hope honor for his actions in saving a woman’s life when he disarmed a knife wielding individual who was threatening the woman on the subway, in Almaty, Kazakhstan. His trip to Thailand to receive the honor was his first time outside of Kazakhstan.
Boxing trainer Joe Gallagher was awarded the Champion of Life by previous recipient Billy Dib after battling Cancer.
The WBC’s adopted theme song of “We Are The World” was sung by a girls chorus of 6 & 7 year olds.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman described the Man of the year- Salvatore Cherchi, as his uncle. Cherchi is the leading promoter in Italy, heading OPI.
Former Convention chairperson and WBC board member, Chuck Williams donated a check for $10,000 to the Jose Sulaiman foundation. Chuck was invited back to the convention as a surprise.
Former Featherweight champion “Prince” Naseem Hamed accepted an honorary WBC belt and was joined on stage by his sons Sami and Aadam.
Former DEA agent, Rocky Herron was awarded a commemorative WBC belt for his continuous work against drug use among youth, having given seminars and talks to over 270,000 at risk youth.
Muy Thai champions Liam Harrison and Shannon Gardiner spoke about Muy Thai and the support it has received from the WBC in recent years.
Lifetime Legacy award to General Thanapol Bhakdibhumi,
Due to a WBC world title fight boxing show on the last full night of the convention, the annual awards banquet will be held tonight in the grand ballroom.