By Mauricio Sulaimán – President of the WBC – Son of José Sulaimán
Mexico roared again in Las Vegas! The Mexican Independence celebration was fanfared and reverberated not on the 15th, but on September 30th, with a thrilling demonstration of greatness by the Mexican idol, Saúl Álvarez.
Canelo made a great fighter look ordinary.
The masterful dominance was tremendous. He willed, exerted and imposed himself against Jermell Charlo and it was impressive. From the moment the first bell rang, he brought to bear constant pressure and connected from round one, with accurate power punches to the arms, body and the head, forcing Jermell to mill on the retreat, obliging him to be reative, rather than proactive.
The man from Guadalajara dominated the ring on Saturday with fine boxing, ruthlessly cutting off the ring and thwarting attempts at the classic style by his American rival, who he put under intense and unremitting pressure.
The atmosphere was electrifying at the T-Mobile Arena, in Las Vegas, USA, with a vocal full house in fine voice, as the fans with a crescendo of chanting, cheered him on and on throughout, with shouts of; Canelo! And Mexico! This lasted from opening to final bell.
Charlo visited the canvas in the seventh round taking a knee, after receiving an overhand right to the temple and an uppercut, which would have finished almost any other man. He took a long deep breath, adjusted his trunks, got up and bravely fought on, trying as he might to weather a haelstorm raining down on him.
Canelo`s intense tempo and fabulous condition are a testament to his exceptional preparation, which was extraordinary.
His trainer Eddy Reynoso must be recognized and praised for this dramantic improvement transition, by demandingly taking Canelo Álvarez out of the comfort zone he had been for some time and motivating the champion go the extra mile. For the first time in years camp was far away from home, the golf bag was of course discarded, so the complete focus and total concentration was on the fight. Goals were sought, reached and surpassed. During the action, Canelo stood his ground and didn`t sit down during the rest minute of any round. It was a crystal clear message he was going to accomplish a feat of distinction against another undisputed champion in this uniquely historic fight.
Canelo Álvarez is the undisputed super middleweight champion, and he has already announced that his next fight will be the weekend of May 5, 2024. A sensational follow up and follow on, to celebrate another traditional Mexican traditional holiday, Cinco de Mayo.
The card on Saturday night was of superb quality. The WBC interim welterweight champion was crowned as Mexican- American who lives in San Antonio, Texas, Mario Barrios, defeated the so brave Cuban Yordenis Ugás, by unanimous decision.
Ugas fate has been destined to very complicated injuries in his right eye as his fight with Spence was dramatic and caused the referee to stop the fight due to such injury.
In 2021, I was with San Antonio Mayor , Ron Nirenberg, at a ceremony at the Mexican Consulate in that city, to recognize the world champions born there, and on that occasion, I presented a medal to Barrios, and in front of his entire family that day I predicted that one day he would be WBC world champion. Today it is a reality.
Something wonderful and totally unexpected happened on Saturday night, Floyd Mayweather Jr. visited Canelo in his locker room to wish him success. We can proudly say that the baton is handed over. Saul Álvarez is the best boxer in the world.
On Saturday, a commemorative belt was at stake as a special trophy for the winner, the one brilliantly created by artist hands from the state of Puebla, in which 12 women dedicated themselves to the beautiful weaving, over two months; In addition, the talavera is worked and painted by hand, the white marble plaque with gold inlays, and the legend Puebla September 2023. A masterpiece fit for a maestro.
It is a magnificent standout jewel among a wondrous collection, which are works of art, that Mexico and the World Boxing Council gives to the world every may 5 and September 15 as this Mexican holidays are always accompanied by great boxing cards since decades ago.
El Canelo is the owner of all of the following:
• Huichol 1: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. Julio César Chávez Jr. (2017).
• Chiapaneco 2: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady GGG Golovkin II (2018).
• Maya 1: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. Daniel Jacobs (2019).
• Mestizo: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. Billy Joe Saunders (2021).
• Teotihuacán: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. Caleb Plant (2021).
• Zapotec Jaguar Warrior: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. Gennady GGG Golovkin III (2022).
• Jalisco Puebla: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. John Ryder (2023).
• Puebla: Saúl Canelo Álvarez vs. Jermell Charlo (2023).
This week the long-awaited news was announced:
Tyson Fury, WBC heavyweight champion, will face Oleksandr Usyk, WBO, WBA and IBF monarch. In this fight the division will be unified for the first time, in 20 years. It has taken much effort and hard negotiations to finally make this a reality. The WBC has had all flexibility within its rules to lead to the ultimate unification and will continue to do so with the hopes of maintain the championship unified.
Did you know…?
This year has been one of the most important in boxing activity around the world, with great idols winning classics. Naoya Inoue, in Japan, Gervonta Davis, in the United States, Canelo Álvarez, in Guadalajara ( John Ryder) and Las Vegas (Jermell Charlo); Terence Crawford defeating Errol Spence Jr., in Las Vegas, USA, Haney defeating Lomachenko in Vegas and countless more exciting fights which have made boxing fans happy and ready for more action in the ring.
PBC and TGB, together with Showtime, have generated three fights, with box office exceeding $20 million in the last six months! That is unbelievable, boxing is at a peak that will lead into future years of great excitement.
Now come fabulous fights that should not be missed: Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou, in Saudi Arabia; David Benavidez vs. Demetrius Andrade, in November; Devin Haney vs. Regis Prograis in December , and even the legendary, flamboyant Don King will have a spectacular billboard in Miami, Florida. Badou Jack will fight for the bridgerweight title, Lerena will do so in South Africa, the return of Jermall Charlo is imminent , Shakur Stevenson will fight De Los Santos for the lightweight WBC title, 2 former champions Carlos Cuadras and Pedro Guevara will battle for the superbantam interim and Inoue will close the year with a bang for the undisputed superbamtam vs Tapàles.
TODAY’S ANECDOTE
My dad met Saúl Canelo Álvarez when he was just a shy, smiling, red-haired, freckled child.
He won The WBC youth world championship, the NABF, and The WBC silver, and it was then that Don José told us at home, and later he also did so publicly predicted super stardom, every time he had the opportunity:
“This young man will be the greatest figure in world boxing, he has everything and learns in every fight; He has a great corner and his winning spirit is unstoppable. In time he will teach what a champion will demonstrate,” said my dad.
