WBC Convention Day Two
The second day of the WBC Convention featured an eye-opening presentation by former DEA Agent Rocky Herron about the plight and curse of drugs on young people.
Rocky joined the DEA when he was 23. He retired three decades later and has been working with the WBC for five years. He said home failure, school failure, adolescent depression, juvenile crime and homelessness are agents of despair that lead to drug abuse.
Illicit drugs are toxically powerful and cheap causing havoc. According to him, every day 300 people in the USA die from drug-related causes. Rocky has counseled 260,000 youngsters so far. He always urges them to make the smart choice of their future by saying, “the only person you become is the person you choose to be.”
Two-time world champion Billy Dib gave a presentation about helping boxers invest in the future when they retire. This involves saving thirty-three percent of their earnings to allow them to retire with dignity. Billy and the WBC are working towards a program for boxers to invest in their futures. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman invited people to unite and confront this problem.
Three-time heavyweight champion Michael Moorer presented a cruise plan that will start next year. A voyage with boxing legends. To help raise funds for fighters and for the fans a great journey with their stars.
A presentation about former fighter Iwao Hakamada who was unjustly convicted of murder and arson. Originally sentenced to death, he languished forty-eight years in prison. The campaign to free him which happened in 2014 was led by his sister Hideko.
The Great multiple champion Danny Garcia and artist Silvio Rognoni have created an attractive everyday belt for all WBC Champions. Sizes to fit all waists.
Dr Sanford Silverman gave a vital talk about mental health in boxing facing challenges and not hiding issues. This involves head injuries, mood disorders and cognitive issues. Early detection prevents long-term damage. Mental health screening is a recommendation to all boxing commissions.
The presentation of the Rumble in the Jungle fiftieth anniversary belt was led by talented artist Leon Sala.
Next year is the twenty-fifth anniversary of BoxRec. Marina Sheppard outlined its key aims. Accuracy, transparency, feedback, integrity, and innovation.
BoxRec has more than twenty-four million users and implements 4,333 edits daily. It monitors more than five thousand shows annually.
Han Hoang Mai is the CEO of FightFax. The new up-to-date digital platform was launched this year. It has a modern interface, data completeness and unbiased ranking. It’s user-friendly and there is commission cooperation.
He stressed there is always room for expansion, promoting fairness and inclusion.
A hands-on session using Sean Gibbons as the subject by Vic Starite The Cut Man, explaining how to deal with cuts and swellings. One implement requiring great skill is the enswell. Time and care are needed in the minute of rest because as he says some places are like the Wild West.
BoxMed led by Andrew Kruger is a weight control APP that takes boxers just five minutes to access. It is available in seven languages and they have dubbed our President Mauricio Sulaiman into all of them to deliver the message.
Emergency response is just a call away and this service is completely free. It has wound management and a nursing staff. This service will soon be mandatory for WBC champions and the first fifteen ranked fighters.
So far, 911 registrations, 105 commissions and 57 doctors in this innovative initiative.