From champion belts to social impact, Sulaiman continues his father’s legacy while keeping the WBC at the forefront of modern boxing.
Key to the City and a Boxing Legacy
Mauricio Sulaiman Saldivar, President of the World Boxing Council (WBC) and a longtime friend of World Boxing News — following in the footsteps of his father Jose Sulaiman — was handed the Key to the City of Reynosa by Mayor Carlos Peña Ortiz. Sulaiman remains one of the sport’s most respected figures, tirelessly working to make boxing safer, fairer, and more prestigious worldwide.
Berchelt Headlines a Night of Excitement
The main event on October 11 at the UAT Gymnasium saw former world champion Miguel “Alacrán” Berchelt return to the ring to face Venezuelan Edixon “Cabeza de Gato” Pérez for the exclusive WBC “Reynosa Belt.” Berchelt delivered a commanding performance that reinforced his status among the division’s elite.
The card included 11 bouts in total, including the WBC Female Youth World Championship clash between Sheyla “La Dinamita” Moreno Castillo and Brisa “La Fría” Olivia Garibay, which ended in a hard-fought draw.
Community Impact & Humanist Vision
Sulaiman’s visit extended beyond the ring:
Boxing Museum: The exhibition at the Railroad Museum featured iconic WBC memorabilia, highlighting champion boxers from Floyd Mayweather to Marco Barrera. Mayor Peña Ortiz also presented a tribute to Don Jose Sulaiman Chagnón, cementing the family’s legacy in both sport and society.
Hospital Visit & Anti-Bullying Initiatives: Sulaiman, alongside champions like Cristián “El Diamante” Mijares and Jackie “Aztec Princess” Nava, visited local hospitals and ran motivational sessions, showing boxing’s potential to inspire and teach discipline to young fans.
These efforts continue the WBC’s long-standing commitment to social responsibility, a hallmark since Sulaiman took the helm in 2014.
WBC Leading the Charge
Beyond the medals and ceremonies, the WBC under Sulaiman continues to set the gold standard in modern boxing. The organization has been at the forefront of defending boxer health, ensuring the major belts remain active and prestigious, and resisting moves that could undermine the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act.
From global championship regulation to social advocacy, the WBC’s work in Reynosa is a reminder that Sulaiman’s leadership is about more than pageantry — it’s about keeping boxing legitimate, respected, and progressive in an era of rapid change.
The Sulaiman Legacy Continues
Mauricio Sulaiman maintains the humanist vision of his father, balancing the sport’s spectacle with meaningful social impact. Reynosa’s resurgence as a boxing hub demonstrates that the WBC is not only safeguarding its titles but also using the sport as a force for community growth and youth development.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News (WBN) since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights.
[View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.