WBC – Feb. 3, 2026 – Round 12: A Grand Week For Boxing In New York

By Mauricio Sulaimán – WBC President – Son of José Sulaimán

This past week was filled with mixed emotions. My wife Christiane’s grandmother, Doña Manira Salomón Zairick, passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a united family rooted in deep principles, values, and an unbreakable bond. She passed surrounded by the love and care of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I pray for her eternal rest.

“Martes de Café,” our traditional weekly press conference, was special as we were visited by Christian Mbilli. Originally from Cameroon, he emigrated to France and eventually found his home in Montreal, placing his future in the hands of a great promoter, Camille Estephan, president of Eye of the Tiger Promotions. Following Terence Crawford’s retirement, the World Boxing Council confirmed Mbilli as WBC undisputed world champion.

I currently find myself in the city that never sleeps, New York, where the cold is bone-chilling. I’ve never felt its effects quite like this, and I actually love the snow – I lived in Massachusetts for three years when my father sent me to Winchendon School near Boston.

There has been a flurry of activity here in the “Mecca of Boxing.” On Friday night, The Ring magazine held its second annual awards gala. It was a top-tier event at Cipriani, where His Excellency Turki Alalshikh welcomed the boxing world to honor the winners for the best of 2025, a selection of fighters chosen by Ring Magazine panel.

During dinner, I had very interesting conversations with His Excellency, who honored me with a seat to his right, and with my dear champion, Canelo Álvarez, who sat beside me. I greeted many legends in attendance: Lennox Lewis, Buster Douglas, Bernard Hopkins, Michael Spinks, and another great friend, Gennadiy “GGG” Golovkin. Current champions like Oleksandr Usyk, Christian Mbilli, Skye Nicolson, Claressa Shields, and Ricardo Sandoval were also present, among many others. It was an unbelievable event which gives boxing a much deserved position with a ceremony which emulates the Academy Awards, The Oscars.

Madison Square Garden saw a sell-out crowd for a great card. The main event featured WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson against Teófimo López. López, who entered as the WBO champion, ultimately lost his super lightweight title.

However, the fight of the night was undoubtedly Bruce Carrington vs. Carlos Castro for the vacant WBC featherweight title. Carrington, known as “Shu Shu,” scored a dramatic knockout over the Mexican Castro, sending his hometown Brooklyn crowd into a frenzy. The celebration was spectacular – filled with emotion, tears, and joy. Since he was a child, he dreamed of winning the Green and Gold Belt, and his hero was always Mike Tyson. Today, he is a champion and a superstar in the making.

DID YOU KNOW…?

GGG Golovkin has assumed the presidency of World Boxing, the federation recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to oversee our sport for the Olympic Games. A boxing icon has arrived to right the ship for one of the world’s most popular sports – one that boasts phenomenal ratings and global interest every four years. The previous federation was expelled by the IOC following decades of mismanagement and corruption. There is much to be done, but I trust the Kazakh hero will lead us to 2028 with a high level of competition to discover future stars.

I did lots of work all Monday in NYC, met with Bally’s as we continue to develop interesting technology for boxing in a variety of areas, followed by two sensational interviews. I participated on the live program of Ariel Helwani, https://www.youtube.com/live/kgyyJD1nSwk, and then went on to Ak and Barak “All the Smoke” program. I closed the day with a very nice dinner with my dearest friend, Don Majeski, who has been such an incredible boxing man and one of the closest friends of my dear dad, José Sulaimán.

ANECDOTE OF THE DAY

My father lived through countless adventures in New York back when the city was the heart of boxing activity. The New York press was the most powerful in the sport. There was one excessively aggressive reporter who systematically attacked, insulted, and defamed Don José. I won’t mention his name, as he has passed away and it would be inappropriate.

The situation eventually led to a lawsuit. My father won, but all he wanted was an apology – no monetary damages. Don Majeski, a dear friend of my father, insisted him to have lunch with the reporter. The man arrived, opened the menu, ordered the most expensive dishes, French wine he couldn’t even pronounce, and finished with Cognac and cigars. At the end of the meal, he turned and, with blatant cynicism, simply said: “I’m sorry, José.” He stood up and left. He never offered a public apology.

Curiously, shortly thereafter, he left his reporting job because Don King hired him to handle his company’s PR. From that moment on, he was as gentle as a lamb and deeply respectful toward my father.

I welcome your comments at: contact@wbcboxing.com.

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