Since the death of Jose Sulaiman, who served as president of the World Boxing Council for many years, the question of who will glove-up for the next round of the presidency has attracted lots of interest although no word has been forthcoming on the new successor.
However, reliable sources close to the organization indicate that while many members feel current Executive Director and son of the late President Mauricio Sulaiman is the best man to take up the mantle, a few vice presidents of the organization seem to be making a strong case to stop a family dynasty by being the late icon’s immediate successor.
Leading the pack of contenders at a special meeting next Tuesday will be American Rex Walker and Charles Giles of England, whom many feel can put up strong cases to be at the helm.
The other vice presidents including Kovid Bhakdibhumi – Thailand, Houcine Houichi – Tunisia, Bob Logist – Belgium and Soohwan Hong – Korea are expected to throw their support behind the younger Sulaiman along with the majority of the executive as they see him as the fittest person for the job, according to the insiders.
Another strong motive behind their support seems to be the issue of the headquarters remaining in Mexico where it achieved significant growth in an effort not to change its location to the United States of America or England. It is understood and was widely reported that the late former president was open to a new president if members wanted a change. His son, meanwhile, shares the same view and is not willing to go out of his way to secure the leadership.
It is understood that many members and close allies of the late president are already working their way to convince the Executive Director to take up where his father left off.
The WBC was originally established by 12 countries: Mexico, USA, Argentina, Brazil, Peru, Panama, Puerto Rico, United Kingdom, France, Philippines, Chile and Venezuela at a special meeting in Mexico in 1963. The body now has 161 countries and former presidents include Justiniano N. Montano Jr. of the Philippines, Onslow Fane of Great Britain, Jose Sulaiman, Luis Spota and Ramon G. Velázquez of Mexico. Sulaiman headed the WBC from 1975 to 2014.
