At the traditional Martes a Cafe, invented by Don Jose Sulaiman himself, which was this week held in the magnificent Sport and Chips in Coyocan Mexico City, there was a Special highly personal and emotive Tribute to Don Jose Sulaiman, The Father of modern Boxing.

Don Jose who led the World Boxing Council for more than thirty eight years as President, forever changed the face of boxing, introducing a raft of safety innovations which saved countless lives and also enriched the lives of boxers, so many of whom have been able to live and enjoy happy, productive and healthy lives, after retiring from their ring careers.

May just gone was the month in which Don Jose was born, on May 30^th 1931, the same year as for famous Promoters Don King and Bob Arum, who are still with us and still hard at work.

A film which depicted the life and times of Don Jose from childhood to and spanning his adult life, was lovingly, brilliantly and movingly  narrated by his eldest son Pepe.

The child who rolled up his sleeves and fought in the botanas fights, to earn his ticket so he could see his heroes, the promising and talented baseball player, a sport which was his twin passion of boxing and in which he coached his sons and leagues of youngsters. His times as a referee, judge, commissioner, General Secretary of the WBC and then the 1975 Convention, when he was unanimously voted as the President of the WBC. What followed is written in Green and Gold letters in the pages of sporting history.

His Wife Martha, who supported him every step of the way, so many times generously and selflessly opening her home to the boxing family from all over the World. Cooking the most delicious meals to even delight the palate and appetite of the larger than life Don King. Memories to cherish of Don King and Muhammad Ali, chatting and laughing in the living room of the Sulaman home in Rio Bamba.

His smiles, laughter and his priceless gift of friendship which to this very day bonds the World Boxing Council of almost two hundred nations. The man who met and talked with kings, Popes, Presidents, but was equally at home, engaged and content talking with the man who shined his shoes in the Zona Rosa offices, damaged and then demolished following  the 2017 Earthquake, from where his famous desk and chair were lovingly rescued.

And his return to where it all began in Cuidad Victoria. A man seldom lost for words, Don Jose climbed up into the ring and took the microphone in his hands, but was drowned out by the cheers and chants of HIS PEOPLE, roaring: ”Sulaiman, Sulaiman!”

His youngest Son Mauricio who has built on his legacy and brilliantly developed it as President was on the podium at Sports and Chips to savour of all this. And those of us who were there in Victoria were also here and now in Coyocan to applaud a life well lived.

A su manera!