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José Sulaimán

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José Sulaimán Chagnón
José Sulaimán in 2007
1st [[President of the World Boxing Council]]
In office
5 December 1975 – 16 January 2014
Preceded byRodrigo Sánchez
Succeeded byMauricio Sulaimán
Personal details
Born(1931-05-30)May 30, 1931
Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico
DiedJanuary 16, 2014(2014-01-16) (aged 82)
Los Angeles, California, United States
Resting placePanteón Francés, Mexico City, Mexico
ChildrenMauricio Sulaimán
OccupationBoxing official, businessman
ProfessionSports administrator
Known forLongtime president of the World Boxing Council
AwardsInternational Boxing Hall of Fame (2007)
Sports career
SportBoxing


José Sulaimán Chagnón (May 30, 1931 – January 16, 2014) was a Mexican boxing official, best known for serving as president of the World Boxing Council (WBC) from 1975 until his death in 2014. During his nearly four decades at the helm, Sulaimán played a pivotal role in modernizing the sport of boxing, implementing reforms aimed at improving fighter safety, and expanding the WBC’s global presence. Despite his many contributions, his tenure was also the subject of debate within the boxing community.

Early Life and Background

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Sulaimán was born in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. His father was of Syrian descent and his mother of Lebanese heritage.[1][2] He became involved in boxing at an early age, joining a local boxing commission in San Luis Potosí at just 16. Fluent in several languages—including Spanish, English, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, and French—Sulaimán also operated a successful medical supply business in Mexico.[3][4]

Boxing Career

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Sulaimán held various roles in the sport prior to his leadership at the WBC. He was an amateur boxer, trainer, promoter, judge, and referee. In 1968, he joined the WBC and quickly rose through its ranks. On **December 5, 1975**, he was unanimously elected president of the organization.[5]

Throughout his tenure, Sulaimán focused heavily on reforms aimed at improving athlete safety and global governance in boxing. Key initiatives included:

  • Reducing the length of world title fights from 15 to 12 rounds[6]
  • Instituting a 24-hour weigh-in before fights
  • Creating new weight divisions for fairer competition
  • Promoting the use of thumb-attached gloves to prevent eye injuries
  • Establishing the WBC World Medical Congress and supporting research into brain injuries at UCLA[7]

Under his leadership, the WBC sanctioned over 1,100 world title bouts and oversaw the crowning of more than 300 world champions. By the end of his presidency, the organization had expanded to include affiliates from 161 countries.[8]

Legacy and Recognition

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He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on June 10, 2007.[9][10] Sulaimán was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame on **June 10, 2007** in recognition of his service to the sport.[11] He is credited with helping transform the WBC into one of the most influential boxing bodies in the world.

  • José Sulaimán was honored by Guinness World Records as the longest-serving president of a global sports organization, holding the position for 38 years and 41 days from December 5, 1975, until his passing on January 16, 2014.His son, Mauricio Sulaimán, was elected to succeed him as WBC president shortly after his passing.[12][13]

Controversies

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Despite his significant contributions, Sulaimán's leadership was not without criticism. Some journalists and industry insiders expressed concern over perceived favoritism and governance issues.

Critics pointed to his close professional relationship with American promoter Don King. Journalist Jack Newfield wrote that Sulaimán “became more King’s junior partner than his independent regulator,”[14] while author Peter Heller echoed these sentiments, quoting British promoter Mickey Duff as saying that Sulaimán would only be satisfied “when Don King is the only promoter in boxing.”[15]

Death

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Sulaimán died at the age of 82 in Los Angeles on January 16, 2014.[16] He is buried in the Panteón Francés of Mexico City.[2] He was succeeded by his son Mauricio Sulaimán as president of the WBC.

References

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  1. ^ Muere Don José Sulaimán
  2. ^ a b José Sulaimán, presidente del CMB, murió a los 82 años de edad
  3. ^ "Jose Sulaiman". www.ibhof.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  4. ^ Lopez, Oscar (2014-01-16). "Jose Sulaiman Chagnon Dies: World Boxing Council President Dead At 82". Latin Times. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  5. ^ "SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 18: JOSE SULAIMAN'S 10TH DEATH ANNIVERSARY". philboxing.com. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  6. ^ "Round 12: Reduction of rounds for WBC affiliated fights - World Boxing Council". 2020-02-11. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  7. ^ "UCLA le hara homenaje postumo a Jose Sulaiman". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2014-08-12. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  8. ^ "The great legacy of Don José Sulaimán". Cleto Reyes. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  9. ^ International Boxing Hall of Fame.
  10. ^ (in Spanish) El Universal
  11. ^ International Boxing Hall of Fame
  12. ^ "José Sulaimán". www.thetimes.com. 2014-01-25. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  13. ^ "WBC News • East Side Boxing • News Archives". www.boxing247.com. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2025-06-14.
  14. ^ Newfield, Jack (1995). Only in America. William Morrow. p. 141.
  15. ^ Heller, Peter (1988). Bad Intentions: The Mike Tyson Story. New American Library. p. 143.
  16. ^ "José Sulaimán, presidente del CMB, murió - Nota - Sociedad y Medio Ambiente - www.aztecanoticias.com.mx". Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
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