March 9, 2010 – Mexico City. From the office of WBC President José Sulaiman:
The following article was published on Sunday, March 7, in WBC President José Sulaiman’s weekly column in El Universal titled “Hook to the Liver.” El Universal has the largest circulation of any newspaper in Mexico..
HOOK TO THE LIVER
By José Sulaiman
Boxing, Thailand and 30 Years Later.
In my most recent trip to this country, I recalled how important it is to hold out your hand to sick children and young drug-addicts. The emotional moment took me to an emotional remembrance: I was waiting for the moment – before witnessing the two thousand students of the graduating class, and under strict and formal protocol – to receive my Honorary Doctorate in Philosophy from the hands of the Crown Prince of Thailand. It was granted by the BSRU University – I still wonder if I deserve it – and my mind took me to 1981, when I first visited this country of Siam.
Back then, I was honored to meet the very young Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn. He was only 29.
There I was, watching the strict seriousness in that face of prominent cheekbones and chiseled features of the Prince. He did not move a single muscle of his face when in front of the other five people who received an honorary doctorate prior to me. I knew I would have to obey the protocol. I was obliged to doing so. Nevertheless, no matter how much I tried, I could not help myself and I smiled when I was in front of him. I was taken to such action by the affection, respect and trust I have always felt for him. Suddenly, I was surprised when I saw, in an almost imperceptible way, the Prince winked a little bit at me and in his noble face a slight, very slight smile was drawn. This courtesy triggered deep satisfaction in me. My feelings are not mistaken: Thailand is my second motherland.
During my visit in 1981, I found out that boxing – international style – practically did not exist in Thailand, despite having had four superstars of the past: Pone Kingpetch, the first world champion; Chamren Songkitrat, whom Raul “Raton” Macias defeated to win the Bantamweight world title; Chartchai Chionoi – together with “Alacran” Torres, he took part in the toughest bout I have seen in my life – and Sansaek Muangsurin, the tremendous puncher who won the world championship in his fourth professional fight and was, perhaps, the greatest idol of Thai boxing. In that time, only Muay Thai boxing, which still is the national sport, existed. Nothing else. In three years, however, and with a great effort, the World Boxing Council had a Thai world champion. Since then, there have been 19.
It is impossible to hide that I am going through times in which, perhaps a little tired because of those long distances of the boxing trenches I have covered for so many years, I make an effort to find motivations. I want to revive the enthusiasm; I want to keep feeling the zest for life and serving. In that respect, this trip has turned out to be very beneficial: I think that now I have found – or confirmed – a couple of great incentives that were born during some visits I made:
The first one, to the Center of Orphans who are three to 12 years old. What I experienced there reached my heart and confirmed the goodness of the world program that the WBC has in favor of children, with visits to over 150 hospitals where children who suffer from cancer are treated.
The second one, to a rehab center for drug addicts. There I felt the vital need to find a new way of finding opportunities for all the patients. I am sure that, when feeling protected and treated, these human beings will have fewer wishes to go back to that hell, that cancer that corrodes society.
Protecting, taking care of, motivating and educating children to encourage an attitude of effort for our own good and peace is also a path that every single human being that longs for a promising future for his children and grandchildren, and all the subsequent generations, is obliged to take.
My return to Mexico, my beloved homeland, will be the starting point: I will invite our world champions so that, with the idolatry they project, we can get close to the children who need it the most – and of course, to all those who, by pure chance, have seen their way get twisted towards an abyss with no bottom. I know the heart of all our champions. I know that they, who come from the humblest cradles, will know how to put themselves to the service of those who need us the most. So be it.
WORLD BOXING COUNCIL CHOOSES LOCKERBLOGGER AS OFFICIAL SOCIAL NETWORK
The WBC, the world’s largest sports sanctioning body, has teamed up with LockerBlogger, a sports centric social network.
NEW YORK, NY, March 8, 2010 – The World Boxing Council has officially joined LockerBlogger, a new, sports-centric social network, as its official social networking platform. WBC boxers, trainers and officials will soon start using the social platform as a way to connect with each other and their fans.
The WBC boasts membership in 164 countries and nine federations and is one of the most prestigious sports sanctioning body in the world. The WBC Green Belt is possibly the most recognizable symbol in sports. It has been won by boxing greats Muhammad Ali, Julio Chavez, Joe Frazier, Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
“The Internet is offering to all of us a way of immediate and constant communication for the good of our involvement in the sport,” Jose Sulaiman, President of WBC, said on the official WBC website.
“Boxers, trainers, officials and others involved in the sport of boxing have been looking for a way to truly connect with their fans,” says Jill Diamond, Chair for the WBC & NABF Female Championship Committee. “LockerBlogger will provide them robust tools to allow everyone affiliated with the WBC to spread their messages in an unfiltered voice.”
Sulaiman is among some of the members who have already signed up Lockers, where they are able to post blogs, videos, photos and updates for their friends, fans and followers to see. “The WBC Family proudly embraces our friends at LockerBlogger,” Sulaiman said. “LockerBlogger – we’re in your corner!”
About LockerBlogger
Recently rated the top sports social network by Dozen Sports, LockerBlogger was built by sports lovers, for sports lovers. Creating connections is the name of our game. Our goal is to become the ultimate hub for the global sports community to celebrate pro and amateur achievement, access expert coaching education and skills development, and plug in to active conversations about the pastimes they love.
We close the gap between the field and the stands, and give fans authentic, unfiltered access to their favorite players. We connect the top coaches in every sport with players who want to take their skills to the next level, and fans looking for savvy insight from the top minds in the game. We give amateur athletes the opportunity to build their communities as their star begins to rise. And finally, we bring fans the stories, education and community they crave – all in one place, twenty-four hours a day.