MEXICO CITY– Don Jose Sulaiman, still hobbled and confined to a wheelchair as a result of complications arising from being assaulted in a wild melee at a Lewis-Tyson press conference several years ago, leaned backwards. His eyes lit up and he gestured with his hands.
For a change, the longtime leader of the World Boxing Council was discussing a topic that he was eager to address. His interviewer noted that the 2007 WBC Convention would be held in Manila this November. The president of the world’s largest boxing governing body was asked to explain the popularity of WBC International 130-pound champ, M. Pacquiao.
“No one can dispute this,” Sulaiman said, “because it is quite true. Pacquiao’s popularity right now is extremely high. He and Oscar De La Hoya are the two biggest names in our sport.”
It was immediately clear that Don Jose would lead any Pacman parade, that he would be most happy to have the charismatic Filipino wearing the famed green and gold WBC world championship belt, not just the lesser WBC International diadem.
“Ah,” Sulaiman said, “the people love this guy all over the world. He gets in the ring with only one purpose. He is a bomber. He comes to kill. And the people love to see him, to see this, because this is what the people want. We absolutely recognize what a people’s champion, what a people’s favorite, that Manny is. This is why we are doing everything possible so that the great title fight of (Marco Antonio) Barrera and Manny can take place.”
The WBC ruled recently that Barrera may make a March 17 title defense against his fellow Mexicano, Juan Manuel Marquez, but that the winner must then face Pacquiao. Sulaiman, like so many fans, has been vexed by the ongoing legal wrangle between promoters Golden Boy and Top Rank both of whom contend they have a valid contract for Pacman’s considerable fistic services.
“This boy is one of the most exciting fighters in our history,” Sulaiman said. “We think it would be sensational if Marco or Juan Manuel, whoever wins their fight, then fights Manny.”
Standing on the sidelines watching is another Mexican, deserving challenger Humberto Soto. Soto’s manager visited Don Jose last week here to plead his boxer’s cause.
“These are all difficult fights, which is exciting for the fans,” Sulaiman said. “Barrera against Marquez, difficult fight. As for Mr. Soto, even for Pacquiao he will be a very difficult.”
Sulaiman didn’t explicitly say so but, judging from his enthusiasm and the real gleam in his eyes, the Jefe de CMB would be over the moon if, come November and convention time in Manila, Pacman has been upgraded to the world championship version of the historic WBC title belt.
