Jose Sulaiman, president of the WBC for more than three decades, passed away today in Los Angeles at the age of 82.
Born Jos? Sulaim?n Chagn?n on May 30, 1931, in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, Sulaiman was an amateur boxer, trainer, promoter, judge and referee, before joining the World Boxing Council in 1968. Seven years later he was elected president.
During his long and contentious reign, many changes in boxing have occurred. Fifteen-round championship fights were reduced to 12 rounds, weigh-ins before fights were pushed back 24 hours, and the standard eight weight classes were expanded to such an extent that the sport ceased resembling what it once was.
Each of us has our own thoughts about the changes Sulaiman instituted. Purists are likely to feel that he watered down the sport, tampered with that which didn?t need tampering. Impurists are likely to feel that as long as they?re getting theirs, nothing else matters.
Although he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2007, controversy dogged Sulaiman throughout his life. His longtime relationship with promoter Don King, another IBHOF inductee, was a sticking point for those distressed at boxing?s relative fall from grace.
Jack Newfield, who wrote eloquently if not impartially about King in ?Only in America: The Life and Crimes of Don King,? said that Sulaiman ?became more King?s junior partner than his independent regulator.? Peter Heller, author of ?In This Corner . . . !: Forty-two World Champions Tell Their Stories,? wrote than ?Sulaiman?became little more than an errand boy for Don King.?
Of course not everyone agrees. The WBC released a statement which reads:
Jose Sulaiman will be remembered as a man of integrity, honorability and pure heart. Inspired by his heroes, believed in unbreakable values and principles and lived a life to the fullest and he did it his way, as Frank Sinatra would sing on ?My Way?.
Always successful, a natural leader who would never give up, ?there are no impossible tasks, some just take a bit longer?. That was the spirit of Don Jose. His life dedicated to the service of others, inspired by his parents education and example, led to a life full of satisfactions, he took tremendous joy by helping others, specially the underprivileged and the discriminated.
Many call him the father of boxing; he certainly treated all fighters as his sons and daughters, he suffered from their problems and worked every single day of his life to try to make boxing better and safer. Regardless if the boxer was an amateur or if he was Mike Tyson or Chavez, he would treat them the same and would relentlessly try to help each one at all times.
Nelson Mandela inspired him to fight against discrimination, battled Apartheid and always struggled to prevent the abuse of power, which hurt the lesser gifted. He led many actions towards dignifying the sport of boxing, the female practice of boxing and the justice for trainers, managers, promoters and specially boxers.
Pope John Paul II inspired him to be a better human being every day and to be humble, to serve and love. Pope Francis brought faith back to him in these few months as God?s representative on earth and the Virgin of Guadalupe remained by his side at all times while Jesus Christ was his greatest guide and inspiration.
Our dear father fought the last 12 rounds of his life, inspired by his hero Muhammad Ali, his corner formed by many doctors, nurses, care partners, therapist, lift team and staff at 7ICU at UCLA and with thousands cheering him from all over the world?
The final bell rang; Jose Sulaiman, winner by unanimous decision!
Sulaiman may have enriched himself at boxing?s expense, but he wasn?t the first, nor will he be the last. May he find greater favor in the beyond than he found here on earth.
