WBC News

December 27, 2010 – Mexico City.

From the office of World Boxing Council President Dr. José Sulaimán:

The following is one of the weekly “Hook to the Liver” columns by WBC President José Sulaimán that are published in El Universal every Sunday. From December 26, translated from Spanish:

By José Sulaimán

Christmas and the Historical Arena Coliseo

There has never been in my life any happier day than Christmas when all the family gets together, first as a child with my parents, and after with my children and grandchildren to celebrate the birth in Bethlehem of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, with the arrival of the Three Wise Kings to bring their presents, just as the families do all over the world on this sacred day since 2010 years ago. In addition to the great happiness among families for their annual get-together, it always comes to our minds the message of peace, cordiality, love, and the commitment to the service of those most in need left by that man, Jesus, who died by crucifixion and left a spiritual legacy to mankind.

The example of boxers on this day always comes to my mind as they all are born in the humblest of beds, to rise to glory with their valiant heart and their perseverance and dedication to become champions. I have seen so many dressing rooms with drawings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, and in Mexico, also the Virgin of Guadalupe. I also remember Manny Pacquiao with the signaling the cross before every round of his fights, as many others also do. I take this opportunity to send to all boxers, my friends and the boxing family in the world, my most sincere wishes and vows for all to live in peace, happiness and faith to keep working and succeed-

I just read in the papers that the Mexican promoter Fausto Daniel García is bringing back boxing to the historical Arena Coliseo, which was inaugurated in 1946, and which has had the best Mexican boxers and many of the greatest fights of the second half of the 20th century. It was there where Televisa wrote history in boxing by transmitting live television every week, without exception, for 47 consecutive years.

It was at the Arena Coliseo where the great ones have fought, like J.C. Chávez since he was amateur; Ruben Olivares, since he won the Gold Belt bantamweight tournament; the greatest mexican idol Raúl “Ratón” Macías, José Medel, the king of counterpunching; the great champion and hero Joe Becerra; the unforgettable great José “Mantequilla” Nápoles, since he arrived from Cuba; Baby Vázquez when he fought Mauro Vázquez for the immortal boxing communicator, Mr. Antonio Andere, who was not very accurate in his predictions, to write: “There will be no mistake tonight, a Vázquez will win” – and the fight was a draw !!!!!! Vicente Saldívar also fought at the Arena Coliseo, just as the bantamweight considered greatest in history, Manuel Ortiz; the idol “Toluco” López; the popular “Pajarito” Moreno; Memo Diez and “the pocket cruiser” Luis Castillo; Memo Valero, who was my buddy since very young and to whom I came from the province to see in his fight against Bay Ortiz, a fight for which I bought a bleachers ticket, and when I was baptized with the traditional watering with Corona beer or with an unknown yellow liquid….

The Coliseo had only two world championship title matches, with the Mexican champions Miguel Angel González making one of his 10 defenses of the his WBC lightweight title, and Marcos Villasana defending his featherweight WBC title. It was also the home of the very best Mexican managers, like Arturo “Cuyo” Hernandez, Don Pancho Rosales, Don Lupe Sánchez, and so many other great ones, including the Hall of Famer Don Salvador Lutteroth, Don Miguel de la Colina, and so many others in this country that has had over 100 world champions, who had been great luminaries for boxing in the world, including the USA.

We are on the verge of celebrating one more year in our life, a life of which I wouldn’t change one minute, and as every year, we will have a toast with champagne or cider and will savor the 12 grapes for good luck in the coming 2011; mine will be for the welfare and protection of all the homes in the world, especially those of our boxers and our great WBC family and friends, as well as those who are more needed; I will also toast to the unity of all of us to make the values of the family and religion stronger than ever; to love with sincerity and commitment; for our dedication to continue serving with the best that we have all our idols, the boxers of the world; to bury all hatchets and look for friendship, reciprocity, cordiality and good will among boxers, promoters, commissioners, trainers, boxing fans, and every one who lives an important part of our lives in the sport that we so much love. May you all have a great New Year.

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