Round 12: Inside the WBC Boxing Grand Prix
By Mauricio Sulaimán – WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán
The Riyadh Season WBC Boxing Grand Prix has proven to be an overwhelming success, generating excitement as we approach the semifinals, set for October 19 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
It all began during a meeting early in 2024, where I introduced Don José’s vision for a professional Boxing World Cup to His Excellency Turki Alalshick. After a series of discussions regarding the concept and requirements, he approved the initiation of this landmark tournament in boxing history.
The efforts involved have been monumental, requiring exceptional coordination among numerous teams. Medical assistance has been overseen by the international agency NAS, under the guidance of Dr. Neil Scott from England, while the U.S. agency International Boxing & MMA Consultants, led by Joel Campuzano, managed boxing operations.
Vic Cutman and his crew took responsibility for corner medical services, while logistics including travel, accommodations, and production were managed by local firm SELA, led by Dr. Rakan. DAZN has ensured quality television production, while our World Boxing Council team has taken charge of executing and supervising the entire event.
The process of turning our conceptual vision into reality involved numerous meetings and dedicated efforts from many individuals. We started by inviting registrations from boxers in various weight classes, targeting those aged 26 or younger with fewer than 15 professional bouts. After filtering over a thousand applications, the WBC Ratings committee provided rankings for each division.
Following the selection of 144 boxers across different divisions, we reached out to them for initial registration and obtained medical clearances from NAS. Initially, the plan was to hold tournament stages in different countries, but a decision early this year led to hosting all rounds in Saudi Arabia. The logistical challenge of booking travel for over 400 participants was significant, as was managing their entry visas.
Upon arrival, we conducted weigh-ins, medical checks, and fight preparation. The opening stage featured 64 bouts spread over eight-hour shifts. The event culminated in an atmosphere of joy and relief as teams celebrated their hard work and success. The fights showcased exceptional talent, and the compelling personal stories behind the athletes reflected their struggles and victories.
Grand Prix Highlights
- 140 fights conducted
- 98 decisions made
- 42 knockouts recorded
- 40 different officials officiated
- No fights halted due to cuts
- 112 anti-doping tests completed
- 28 actions reviewed via instant replay
- 51,000 miles traveled by me across three trips from CDMX to Riyadh
- 198 hours spent traveling
Semifinal Lineup
- Featherweight: Yoni Valverde (16-0-0, 3 KOs – France) vs. Muhamet Qamili (16-0-1, 7 KOs – Albania) and Brandon Mejía (11-0-0, 9 KOs – Mexico) vs. Bekizizwe Maitse (8-1-1, 3 KOs – South Africa).
- Super Lightweight: Mujibillo Tursunov (8-0-0, 2 KOs – Uzbekistan) vs. Danylo Lozan (15-0-0, 9 KOs – Ukraine) and Carlos Utria (12-0-0, 10 KOs – Colombia) vs. Ntethelelo Nkosi (10-2-0, 5 KOs – South Africa).
- Middleweight: Derek Pomerleau (14-0-0, 11 KOs – Canada) vs. Carlos Sinisterra (13-1-0, 10 KOs – Colombia) and Dylan Biggs (16-1-0, 9 KOs – Australia) vs. Lancelot de la Chapelle (17-1-2, 5 KOs – France).
- Heavyweight: Dante Stone (21-1-0, 13 KOs – USA) vs. Kevin Ramírez (10-0-2, 4 KOs – Argentina) and Keaton Gomes (13-3-0, 11 KOs – South Africa) vs. Ahmed Krnjic (6-0-0, 4 KOs – Bosnia & Herzegovina).
Interesting Fact
We’ve encountered numerous inspiring stories during the Grand Prix. One standout is Bekizizwe Maitse, who earned just $150 in his last fight before the tournament. Now, he has triumphed in three rounds, purchasing two rental properties and establishing a small gym for his livelihood.
Anecdotes from the Past
My father’s dream of promoting boxing in the Middle East was profound. He sought to arrange a match for Mike Tyson in Lebanon, which was thwarted by escalating conflicts. One of my fondest memories is my grandfather recounting a tale of my father’s school days, where a boxing match led to him becoming an unexpected hero after landing a lucky punch, culminating in cheers from his peers.
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