By Mauricio Sulaimán
Son of Jose Sulaiman – WBC President
An important problem for everybody in these troublesome instances is, surely, survival.
Survival in each attainable means. Clearly, sustaining our well being and stopping the unfold of COVID-19 that has impacted the world because the starting of final yr is paramount.
Additionally sustaining psychological well being, which is essential however difficult. It’s not a simple job to do once we are full of information of the seriousness of the scenario day after day, hour after hour, when all of the chats are flooded with detrimental and alarming messages and when all of the talks revolve across the similar factor.
We should discover a strategy to survive professionally, our jobs, our financial system, and in addition persevere as a society, regionally, regionally and globally.
I spoke with Bernard Hopkins, who correctly shared his recommendation; What all of us should do is what boxers do after they discover themselves in difficulties throughout a battle, when they’re knocked right down to the canvas and are harm. The very first thing to do is survive, not lose, not be knocked out, after which we will discover a strategy to win. However first, we’ve to outlive.
Boxing must do many issues to outlive and assist its boxers in these vital moments. It’s now once we want unity and imaginative and prescient to take group motion to guard those that are fragile.
The truth is that with out having gyms open and with out having native promotions, people who rely upon promoting tickets – there are a lot of debut boxers, 4,6, 8 and 10 rounders who’ve been with out exercise for a very long time. If these younger individuals are not activated, quickly they are going to have the necessity to search for one other career, as some means to make a residing. We’re at risk of shedding a era of boxers, which might be critical for our sport.
Each novice {and professional} boxing require quick consideration with coordinated actions between group members and the boxing business.
It’s time for the large promoters to discover a strategy to assist native and regional promoters. The World Boxing Council began a plan known as “Rescuing Boxing,” which has already been activated in international locations and totally different states of Mexico. We invite promoters, sponsors and even any boxing followers to affix this nice coordinated program.
2021 has been designated because the yr of boxing. We can be celebrating through the yr lots of the nice moments which have left their mark within the historical past of our sport, celebrating life by way of boxing. In 2021, Don King and Bob Arum can be turning 90 years outdated. It’s the fiftieth anniversary of Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier 1, which was at Madison Sq. Backyard. It will likely be 45 years because the WBC banned South Africa from boxing in assist of the motion in opposition to racial discrimination, outlined by odious apartheid, and lots of different nice moments that distinguished our sport and numerous generations.
Do you know…
George Foreman, who had his birthday just a few days in the past on January 10, is the oldest boxer to ever win the world heavyweight championship by knocking out Michael Moorer on the age of 45, on November 5, 1994, on the MGM.
As we speak’s anecdote.
My dad favored, like just a few issues in life, notably sunbathing, maybe as a result of it was not frequent for him to do it as he was continually touring and dealing year-round and not using a break. So, he actually loved this when the chance offered itself. We have been in Cancun getting every thing prepared for the historic “Evening of Champions” when the WBC introduced collectively 98 world champions to indicate that Cancun was again on its toes after it was impacted by the devastating Hurricane Wilma.
Effectively, one morning he requested us to go right down to the pool to have a sunbath. I requested my nephew, Pepe Toño, to accompany him and deal with his wants whereas I stayed engaged on quite a lot of issues. The lodge was full and there have been many very stunning ladies on trip. So, Pepe Toño was excited to see all of the beauties round, effectively, Don Jose throws himself on the poolside lounger and says: “Mijito, put some sunscreen on me, please,” and he didn’t reply him for the pity he felt about all fairly women seeing him doing that ….. “Hey, put sunblock on me, the cream that’s in my bag,” so Pepe Toño began rubbing sunscreen on his grandfather whereas all of the spring breakers handed by and noticed them and smiled again ….
