World Boxing Council Represented at L.A. Event
The colors of the World Boxing Council’s green and gold were represented at the 2016 National Boxing Hall of Fame (NBHOF) awards ceremony that took place at Stevens Steakhouse in Commerce, California.
Here’s my special report and photos from the April 30 induction luncheon attended by over 400 people.
The World Boxing Council (WBC) organization had a knockout presence there; the group was there to support the 2016 inductees along with the first-ever Don Jose Sulaiman Lifetime Achievement Award presented to Dr. Gerald Finerman (UCLA). Since 1963, the sanctioning body has been a fixture in the ring with boxing’s biggest superstars winning the eye-catching WBC championship belts awarded to both male and female champs. Don Jose Sulaiman was the longtime president until his passing in 2014. His son Mauricio Sulaiman is now at the helm of this world-famous organization.
During the recent gala, many from the WBC were there in attendance including Jose “Pepe” Sulaiman (son of the late Don Jose Sulaiman), Jill Diamond, Nancy Rodriguez, Deborah Hawkins, Cecy Sulaiman, Jose Manzur, Rudy Tellez, and more. Special guests like boxing coach/filmmaker Jill Morley, actor Karl Glusman and artist Gretchen Ryan were also there along with WBC officials such as Max DeLuca, Benjamin Rendon, among others at the sold-out affair.
Through the years the WBC has made their presence known at WBC championship fights and WBC conventions while hosting WBC Cares programs and events around the world. They also help people battle mental health issues and have assisted down-and-out champs. They have offices in Mexico and Los Angeles and have committees around the globe. In a nod to young prizefighters (and Don Jose’s “Keeping the Dream Alive” motto), next month the WBC will have the 2nd Annual “Green Belt Challenge” amateur tournament with former fighter/current trainer John Bray and the WBC Amateur Committee.
And during the National Boxing Hall of Fame gathering, special WBC medals were presented to NBHOF President Bill Young and Vice President Linda Young. It was a memorable tribute to Dr. Gerald Finerman who has spent years researching and working to provide safety and protection of the pro fighters. The WBC has donated over a million dollars to enable these studies and creating the WBC-UCLA Sports Medicine Foundation which has helped many athletes worldwide.
At the podium, the speeches were strong and powerful; their words packed a punch. Heartfelt speeches and sentiments came from Pepe Sulaiman, Jill Diamond, Nancy Rodriguez, WBC champs Israel Vazquez and Chango Carmona. With emotion, joy, courage and strength, all spoke from the heart and spoke of the contributions from their peers in the sport.
It was a fitting tribute for an organization that proudly proclaims: “My Blood Is Green, My Heart Is Gold.”
Photos by Michele Chong
