TOP BOXERS GRACE WBC COLOURFUL OPENING CEREMONY
The President of the German Boxing Federation, Thomas Putz officially opened the sixty-second World Boxing Council Convention at the Grand Elysee Hotel in Hamburg, Germany.
He predicted it would be perfect and praised the administrative skills of the WBC, especially their caring attitude and approach to all boxers.
Sibling world champions Gabriela and Sebastian Fundora were invited on stage to great applause. Gabriela recalled how Shawn Porter had inspired her at the Acapulco Convention saying she and Sebastian have worked hard to realize their dreams and are planning for a spectacular 2025.
WBC champion Skye Nicolson came to the podium to say that women’s boxing must continue pushing boundaries and it’s an honor of her life to be champion.
Shawn Porter joined her to stress: “Champions are not afraid of the responsibility of winning, and we all have the responsibility of bringing peace to the world.”
Tina Rupprecht the WBC atomweight champion said she is so proud the Convention is in her country and there is an eagerness to collect some priceless memories.
The legendary Miguel Cotto presented the Bravest Man on Earth Golden Glove Award to young Bridger Walker who passed it to Abdu Rozik who has inspired people with growth deficiencies.
Badou Jack presented an award to Adonis Stevenson, the 2022 Champion who fought back from an eighteen-day coma, following a ring accident.
Billy Dib the 2023 Champion of Hope, who survived cancer, said attending the convention is a testament to the resilience he showed in his career offering his deepest condolences to the family of Israel Vasquez and presenting the award to Bruno Macho, an undefeated prospect who survived childhood leukemia.
Then a memorable moment to savor and remember, as every world champion present came to the podium to sing the WBC Theme: “We are the world.” And then the Flag Ceremony.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman whose beloved Mother Martha passed away in August said that the great Julio Cesar Chavez had visited both of his parents during their final hours and that the Sulaiman family has always been the house of boxing.
The year started with a meeting of boxing promoters. Then a meeting of the leaders of Boxing’s Big Four in Puerto Rico.
A message for the Convention from His Holiness Pope Francisco who said clean boxing is the rule and that: “The body is the shelter of God.”
The MGM Grand’s 100 KO Fights Anniversary and a historic meeting between heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk and Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelinskyy.
The José Sulaiman Retired Boxers Fund this year celebrated twelve years, during which more than 1.2 million dollars has been distributed.
A tribute to the Great Israel Vasquez. The Boxing Family raised funds for his family, and they were granted a special Humanitarian Visa to visit him in California during his final days.
The WBC was a major ally in the fight against odious apartheid, recognized by Nelson Mandela and the United Nations. The Great Brian Mitchell was presented with a Special WBC Belt. He said he had never been able to compete in his country and how he would have loved to have fought Professor Azumah Nelson.
A wonderful, emotive and memorable morning concluded with the People’s Champion Award to Blair Cobbs from Terence Crawford. Then all the champions came to the stage.
