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Philippines, 17 Sep 2025 |
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Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Remembering Don José Sulaimàn By Mauricio Sulaimán PhilBoxing.com Thu, 29 May 2025  Last week was wonderful for me, as my beloved father’s memory was honored during all the activities surrounding the Fundación Mi Chante golf tournament in Tijuana. I had a series of reunions that made me very happy. I have many friends in that border city, and always I felt special with the incredible hospitality and attention I received. I had dinner on Tuesday at a phenomenal restaurant called Casa Zibarita, with my dear friend Fernando Beltran. He is a unique success story. I met him when we were both starting out in boxing. He was a young promoter who launched the career of now Hall of Famer Erik “El Terrible” Morales. Beltran, dressed in jeans, cowboy boots, and a jacket, would come to see my dad trying to get Erik into a championship fight. Since then, we’ve grown very close and we’ve had the good fortune of enjoying a great friendship, sometimes with ups and downs, but always with affection and respect. We spent an unforgettable evening, reminiscing about many anecdotes and solidifying those bonds of friendship. The next day was the golf tournament press conference. Don Abelardo Peña invited the media, sponsors, and friends, and the details of the fifth edition of the Mi Chante Foundation golf tournament were revealed. This tournament raises funds to support Mexican athletes. It’s worth noting that many of them have already achieved significant success in the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and World Championships in various disciplines. That day, I had the great honor of finally meeting Mr. Jorge Hank Rhon in person, accompanied by his son Juan Carlos, who is venturing into boxing with wonderful plans. I had heard a myth about a very special tequila, a drink made with a series of secret ingredients, including viper, scorpion, and many other substances that make it unique and mystical. So, I tried it while enjoying the story of this concoction told by Don Jorge Hank. It was a pleasant conversation with life experiences that gave me the opportunity to continue learning from successful people. Very early on Thursday, my dear Juan Carlos Pelayo, known as the leader by all, was ready for us to head to the Club Campestre. Upon arrival, I was greeted by the great champion, Erik Morales, and a group of friends, as well as Jorge Corral, president of the PGA of Mexico. After registering, I headed to hit some warm-up balls, and that’s where I met our super champion Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez, who was there to participate in this tournament in memory of Don José. The Sulaimáns are baseball players. We grew up on the baseball field, but yes, I’ve played golf from time to time. I’m actually as a bad player as can be. I had to tee off to start the tournament – ugh! Everyone was watching, cameras were on, and of course, the inevitable happened. Pinkys, that’s what they call it when the ball doesn’t even reach the mark where the women start. Our group was wonderful: Pelayo, Erik, and three others: Fernando Rodríguez from the Cetto vineyard, Miguel Romero, and José Parra. The tournament’s organization was spectacular. There was food on every hole, from tacos, snacks, and quesadillas to the most delicious grilled meat in Mexico, Sinaloa beef. Obviously, beer, tequila, mezcal, and all kinds of drinks. I particularly loved Canelo´s drink called VMC which is now available in many states in Mexico and the USA Very fun activities and dynamics, a friendly and easy-going atmosphere, camaraderie, lots of laughter – in short, an unforgettable day. I received endless comments from many people remembering what my dad was like, how he left his mark, and how he’s still present even 11 years after traveling to the road of no return. There had to be justice. On the 17th hole, one hole from the end, we were just short of the green, very far from the hole, and Pelayo said to me: “Get it closer so I can take a risk later.” So, I putted and – YES, it went in! It was the best shot of my life, and that erased all my bad shots of the day. The awards dinner was very nice, I repeat, such a lovely atmosphere, lots of conversation, great music, delicious food, and great prizes for the winners. A world championship belt that the WBC donated to the cause was auctioned off, and my dear Frank Carrillo was the one who bid, making a very good contribution to the foundation. On a stopover in the bathroom, I saw two very serious young ladies at the reception table selling raffle tickets. I stopped, talked to them, they became very friendly so I bought a few, and guess what? I won a trip to the beach! My gratitude and thanks to Don Abelardo Peña, his family, and members of the Mi Chante Foundation, to all the many sponsors who supported this tournament, especially Víctor López of Electrocarros de México, to all the players who made it a reality, and to my dear Erik and Canelo, who joined me to elevate boxing at an event in our sister sport, golf. DID YOU KNOW…? Canelo is a great athlete. Besides simply being the best boxer in the world, he’s also a great golfer today. He found in this sport the perfect complement to dedicating many hours to this activity, where he finds endless competition. He’s already played in international tournaments, and I have no doubt that when it’s time to hang up his gloves, we’ll see him representing Mexico in professional golf. Today’s Anecdote My dad lived a very clean life. He didn’t drink, smoke, or party. His only vice was food. One day he returned from Tijuana, one of those trips he took to convince Julio César Chávez to enter a rehabilitation clinic. At our traditional Sunday family gathering, he told us about a meal he had with Jorge Hank. “I really liked this young man, but oh my boy, he started telling me about a tequila with a Chinese formula and then he brings out a bottle with all kinds of animals inside, and that he serves me in a shot. I think he thought I was going to refuse, but I remembered what my dad told me since I was a kid – ‘A Sulaimán never backs down!’ So, I took and drank it all at once.” Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mauricio Sulaimán.  |
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