WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman recently caught up with reporters to field questions on a number of topics from Zuffa Boxing’s grand entrance into the sport, to Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn for their 147 lb title, to a prospective fight between David Benavidez vs Noel Mikaelian, and much more. Here’s some of what he had to say below.
Sulaiman on Zuffa’s entrance into boxing
“Since the first announcement at the beginning of last year that there was going to be a league created, the WBC was clear and it’s open and it’s published — we welcome
anyone into boxing. When everything came about, a change in the legislation of the Muhammad Ali law…the WBC and many members of the boxing community were active, trying to make things betters for the boxers…I am hoping everything is for the betterment of the sport.”
On Zuffa promoting Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn as a world title without mentioning the WBC
“Look, I am over that period. I am not looking for fights. I’m looking to sit down and have nice cup of coffee and enjoy life. They came in like a bully, like a bulldozer, screaming and attacking that is not what we need in boxing…It is not about fighting, the ego, about I’m going to be here over everybody. The fight is for the WBC world championship…If a promotion is not putting WBC letters, WBC logo, WBC belt, that’s a problem.
“We are proud of the fight, we are going to sanction the fight as we sanction. I’m sure they will comply with all the rules and let’s keep all the attention for the fighters.”
On criticism on how Conor Benn was positioned to contend for their welterweight belt when he’s been fighting well above 147
“It’s understandable. But nobody knows we’ve been in communication with Conor Benn for a long period of time, that we have been monitoring his weight, that he talked to us and said ‘look, I have a life opportunity to fight Eubank once, and then twice, but all I want is the WBC welterweight championship.’ And that happened throughout two or three years. So, things that are built have foundations. The WBC has history. Our decisions are not something that I just take and I make a decision, we have a board of governors.
“I just stand tall and proud of the WBC actions. Of course we make mistakes but all we try to do is what’s best for the sport.”
On a Benavidez vs Mikaelian fight
“The WBC ordered that fight. I believe they are very close to finalizing a deal for a fight…It should be a great fight for three championship belts and working with other organizations for a sensational fight.”
On Jai Opetaia feeling like he’s being passed over for WBC cruiswerweight title shot in favor of David Benavidez
“Opetaia is ranked #1 by the WBC…[Benavidez is] a WBC light heavyweight champion, still. So that’s a big difference, that’s why he was mandated. Mikaelian is the WBC champion so he’s doing the mandatory of the WBC against Benavidez.
“In order to be a mandatory contender in the WBC, you have to fight in a final elimination or go through a process of a voting to be placed as a mandatory contender. So a mandate of Benavidez is completely within the rules.”
