WBC – Feb. 3, 2026 – Spherical 12: A Grand Week For Boxing In New York

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By Mauricio Sulaimán – WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán

This previous week was stuffed with combined feelings. My spouse Christiane’s grandmother, Doña Manira Salomón Zairick, handed away on the age of 95, abandoning a united household rooted in deep rules, values, and an unbreakable bond. She handed surrounded by the love and care of her kids, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I pray for her everlasting relaxation.

“Martes de Café,” our conventional weekly press convention, was particular as we have been visited by Christian Mbilli. Initially from Cameroon, he emigrated to France and finally discovered his house in Montreal, putting his future within the palms of a fantastic promoter, Camille Estephan, president of Eye of the Tiger Promotions. Following Terence Crawford’s retirement, the World Boxing Council confirmed Mbilli as WBC undisputed world champion.

I presently discover myself within the metropolis that by no means sleeps, New York, the place the chilly is bone-chilling. I’ve by no means felt its results fairly like this, and I truly love the snow – I lived in Massachusetts for 3 years when my father despatched me to Winchendon Faculty close to Boston.

There was a flurry of exercise right here within the “Mecca of Boxing.” On Friday night time, The Ring journal held its second annual awards gala. It was a top-tier occasion at Cipriani, the place His Excellency Turki Alalshikh welcomed the boxing world to honor the winners for one of the best of 2025, a collection of fighters chosen by Ring Journal panel.

Throughout dinner, I had very attention-grabbing conversations with His Excellency, who honored me with a seat to his proper, and with my expensive champion, Canelo Álvarez, who sat beside me. I greeted many legends in attendance: Lennox Lewis, Buster Douglas, Bernard Hopkins, Michael Spinks, and one other nice buddy, Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin. Present champions like Oleksandr Usyk, Christian Mbilli, Skye Nicolson, Claressa Shields, and Ricardo Sandoval have been additionally current, amongst many others. It was an unbelievable occasion which provides boxing a a lot deserved place with a ceremony which emulates the Academy Awards, The Oscars.

Madison Sq. Backyard noticed a sell-out crowd for a fantastic card. The principle occasion featured WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson towards Teófimo López. López, who entered because the WBO champion, finally misplaced his tremendous light-weight title.

Nevertheless, the combat of the night time was undoubtedly Bruce Carrington vs. Carlos Castro for the vacant WBC featherweight title. Carrington, referred to as “Shu Shu,” scored a dramatic knockout over the Mexican Castro, sending his hometown Brooklyn crowd right into a frenzy. The celebration was spectacular – stuffed with emotion, tears, and pleasure. Since he was a baby, he dreamed of profitable the Inexperienced and Gold Belt, and his hero was at all times Mike Tyson. Right now, he’s a champion and a celebrity within the making.

DID YOU KNOW…?

GGG Golovkin has assumed the presidency of World Boxing, the federation acknowledged by the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) to supervise our sport for the Olympic Video games. A boxing icon has arrived to proper the ship for one of many world’s hottest sports activities – one which boasts phenomenal scores and world curiosity each 4 years. The earlier federation was expelled by the IOC following many years of mismanagement and corruption. There’s a lot to be achieved, however I belief the Kazakh hero will lead us to 2028 with a excessive stage of competitors to find future stars.

I did a lot of work all Monday in NYC, met with Bally’s as we proceed to develop attention-grabbing know-how for boxing in a wide range of areas, adopted by two sensational interviews. I participated on the stay program of Ariel Helwani, https://www.youtube.com/stay/kgyyJD1nSwk, after which went on to Ak and Barak “All of the Smoke” program. I closed the day with a really good dinner with my dearest buddy, Don Majeski, who has been such an unimaginable boxing man and one of many closest pals of my expensive dad, José Sulaimán.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY

My father lived via numerous adventures in New York again when town was the guts of boxing exercise. The New York press was probably the most highly effective within the sport. There was one excessively aggressive reporter who systematically attacked, insulted, and defamed Don José. I received’t point out his title, as he has handed away and it might be inappropriate.

The scenario finally led to a lawsuit. My father received, however all he needed was an apology – no financial damages. Don Majeski, an expensive buddy of my father, insisted him to have lunch with the reporter. The person arrived, opened the menu, ordered the most costly dishes, French wine he couldn’t even pronounce, and completed with Cognac and cigars. On the finish of the meal, he turned and, with blatant cynicism, merely mentioned: “I’m sorry, José.” He stood up and left. He by no means supplied a public apology.

Curiously, shortly thereafter, he left his reporting job as a result of Don King employed him to deal with his firm’s PR. From that second on, he was as light as a lamb and deeply respectful towards my father.