Massive Turnout Celebrating Tamaulipas Belt Presentation for Canelo Vs Munguia 

By James Blears

Everyone who is anyone in Boxing, flocked to the Grand Presentation of the World Boxing Council`s Tamaulipas Belt Presentation in Salon Castillo of Hotel Presidente, in the epicenter of Mexico City.

The event is the jewel in the crown in the final countdown to the build up to the defense of Undisputed Super Middleweight icon Saul Canelo Alvarez against undefeated Jaime Munguia at the T Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on May 4th, as the highlight of the traditional Cinco De Mayo Celebrations. Heart and Soul and tremendous pride is at stake, each and every time two Mexican boxers get into to the ring, to give their all….and then… even more!  World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman described it as “Trajectory VS Dreams.”

There have been some historic Mexican rivalries fought out in pitched ring battles: Olivares Vs Castillo,  Zarate Vs Zamora, Zarate Vs Pintor, the Morales Vs  Barrera trilogy,  Barrera Vs Juan Manuel Marquez.  Each has lived up, outstripped and far exceeded its potential and promise, just as Canelo Vs Mungia will do.

Mauricio said: “The tension is building. Munguia has everything to gain while Canelo has everything to maintain as the King of Boxing. Once again two Mexicans are capturing the attention of the entire World. When two Mexicans fight, they are fighting for respect, their nation and their neighborhood. Neither wants  to go back home as the loser. It is going to be an absolutely fantastic fight. In the tradition of the Z`s…Zarate Vs Zamora and continuing the legacy of all the truly great Mexican rivalries,  which always thrill and enthrall.”

As a mark of the sheer magnitude of this event, what a lineup of Greats were at hand:  Ruben Olivares, Carlos Zarate, Lupe Pintor, Pipino Cuevas, Jose Antonio Aguirre, Rafael “Bazooka” Limon, Cesar Bazan, Daniel Zaragoza, Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez, newly crowned super welterweight champion Sebastian Fundora and Sister Gabriela who is also a world champion. The first brother and sister to achieve this.

Lupe Pintor spoke of how proud he was to receive the Famous Green and Gold Belt from the hands of Don Jose Sulaiman and from his Manager Arturo “Cuyo” Hernandez representing his country with pride, setting an example for young and aspiring people.

Chiquita Gonzalez spoke of the joy him winning gave to his now departed but never forgotten beloved Father and his thankfulness to Don Jose Sulaiman for giving him the chance to fight for the title and fulfilling the confidence by winning it.

Sebastian Fundora elicited smiles and laughter saying he`s been growing up to this day and that the WBC Belt represents everything being the complete boxing family.

Ruben “Puas” Olivares who received a tumultuous ovation, always says it as it is so succinctly stressing Mexican boxers are good and they`re tough. With Canelo and Munguia he`s expecting a KO…and…adalente!

Mauricio said that Tamaulipas holds a very special place in the heart of the Sulaiman family, as both of his Parents came from there.  Especially the City of Victoria is so important and significant.  The family holidays there, the Sqeeze drinks, the flautas. He and Tamaulipas Governor Dr Americo Villarreal who was sitting beside him, donned traditional jackets, althought the arms were way to short for Mauricio.  He described Canelo as the best boxer in the world and the captain of champions. He stressed that on May 4th, the world will witness honor, respect and pride when Canelo and Munguia fight.

Fernando Beltran of Zanfer, who is Jaime Munguia`s Promoter said the WBC has set the standards of boxing safety plus improvements with so many innovations and improvements.  The WBC cares…particularly about boxers. Their present and their future. He also commented: “For this fight, we are so motivated as Mexicans.  The Sulaiman family always has a big table at which everyone is welcome.”

Maria Luisa Rodriguez who led the design team for this magnificent belt using more than eighty years of family tradition thanked everyone for their confidence that a masterpiece would be created saying they are very proud of what has been achieved commenting: “It`s a representation of our art. It`s a great muse. The people of Tamaulipas are honored to have worked on this.  It is the flower of Tamaulipas.

Smiles and tears were shed with the screening of the unforgettable, Don Jose Sulaiman, who for more than thirty eight years led the WBC and formed it into Boxing`s Giant. The film and its commentary, brilliant achieved by his oldest Son Pepe.

The Governor of Tamaulipas Dr Americo Villarreal described this event as truly a promotion of so many fantastic champions.  He also took time to remember and cherish the memory of the all time great Vicente Saldivar, concluding by saying: “This is a splendid Sport.”