August 18, 2005 – Mexico City. From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: “The WBC has been informed of the derogatory remarks made about us by Fernando Vargas’ team. The WBC, however, is not in boxing to participate in low blows. Those remarks are only hurting the image of their boxer.
“The WBC is hereby ratifying the ruling of its Board of Governors in regards to have the winner of the fight between Fernando Vargas and Francisco Castillejo as an official elimination bout, with the winner to be the official challenger for WBC champion Ricardo Mayorga. The elimination bout will be official only if they accept before the bell rings for their fight.
“Both boxers are free to decide whatever they believe is best for their careers. The WBC has only been very supportive of both, within the rules and regulations of the WBC, and we will continue to be supportive until the bell rings on August 20.
“I have the highest regard and afffection for both Fernando Vargas as a Mexican, and Francisco Castillejo as a Spaniard, and if they slap us on one side of our face, we will just turn the other cheek. I have no more comment on the subject.
“On Monday, the WBC will start its special seminar in the country of Indonesia to find a solution to eliminate or considerably reduce the fatal accidents that have happened in boxing in that country. There have been five deaths in Indonesia in the last 18 months, and other injuries in which boxers have had irreversable damage, as well.
“Dr. Paul Wallace of the United States, Chairman of the WBC’s medical board, and Vice Chairman Dr. Nasser Cruz of the Philippines will head a three-day seminar in Jakarta with the participation of the government, which is bringing to the seminar all of the boxing doctors of the country representing all the different regions and states of Indonesia. A national medical board will be formed by the government with the cooperation of the WBC, and no boxer will be allowed to box in Indonesia or leave that country to box elsewhere if he has not been examined and have the approval of the national medical board.
“There will be also a seminar for referees, as there is a belief that in all the fatal accidents that the fights have been allowed to continue too long. The WBC’s referee representative will be Mr. Bruce McTavish from the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, and very strict basic guildelines will be implemented for fights to be stopped one punch too early instead of one punch too late, which has always been my motto.
“I personally corresponded for several months with Mr. Hutagoal to organize this seminar. All the ring officials from the regions and states of Indonesia will be present, and the referees will be present at both the medical and referees seminars, with the intention to make them very conscious of, and understand very well, the importance of medical and neurological safety in boxing.
“I am also strongly recommending the implementation of the system used in Mexico, Argentina, and other countries, where a button is installed on the ring apron of all the rings in the country which will light four red lightbulbs on the top of each ringpost, as well as make a loud ringing sound when pushed. The chief ringside doctor will have the authority to push the button, at his disgression, when one or both of the fighters are in danger, and the referee is obligated to immediately intervene and stop the fight.
“Many other medical and referees basic guidelines are to reviewed during this seminar. Mr. Frank Quill of Australia and Mr. Hubert Minn of Hawaii will be the general coordinators, in cooperation with the WBC’s representative in Indonesia, Mr. Chandru Lalwani.
“One year after the seminar, the WBC will participate in medical and referees examinations so that all doctors and all referees participating in professional fights in Indonesia have gone through a course, and have passed the corresponding examinations regarding the control of professional boxing in the country.”