BOXING COMMUNITY UNITES TO HONOR THE SHEER BRAVERY OF LAS VEGAS HEROES

By Jill Diamond

Difficult times for Las Vegas, famous for its glamor and fun, which became the epicenter of one of the worst crimes in history.

Devastated by a heinous act of terror last October, Las Vegas was grievously stricken, but rose from it’s knees and, like the greatest boxers of all time and courageously fought back. We at the WBC will not forget. We stand strong, together and united with those who were affected by and suffered so much because of the shootings. We are dedicated to be a part of its healing, balm and calm.

As a tribute to the greatest boxing city in the world, WBC President, Mauricio Sulaiman leads the WBC and the boxing community with the exemplary cooperation of TGB Promotions. It will honor First Responders as part of the Garcia vs Rios fight at the Mandalay Bay.

Beginning with Peace Week, in January, when we brought WBC World Class boxers to Van Tobel and Indian Springs EMS, and continuing through the WBC fights at the Mandalay Bay on February 17th, we will shine a light on those who showed immeasurable magnificent courage, and those they tried to protect.

Thanks to the help of Premier Boxing and TGB Promotions, prior to fight week, the World Boxing Council will distribute tickets to First Responders throughout the Vegas area. In addition, we will return to Van Tobel EMS, to honor the teachers and students who lost one of their most beloved students during the masacre.

The WBC will then have a formal tribute at the Weigh-in, to honor Police Officers who rushed to the scene to assist. We will also honor the family of Quinton Robbins, whose #3 Jersey was retired by Van Tobel High School. Quinton, the second youngest victim of the shootings, he worked as a lead recreational assistant for the city of Henderson, and coached his little brother’s flag football team.

There will also be a ten count at the fight, to honor all those we lost. People we will always remember and cherish. A tradition we reserve for the very bravest and the absolute finest of our sport.

Standing shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand together, we hope to make Las Vegas not only Las Vegas Strong, but also Las Vegas Safe. We must never let the random acts of terror rob the fundamental and essential trust and faith we have in each other. We must have confidence that the people affected by these terrible, senseless crimes, will be the empowering inspiration for us to create a world where young people, like Quinton Robbins, can walk freely and without fear. Using the principals of our sport, honor-respect-sportsmanship- we intend to do all we can to encourage, enable and accomplish this.

We fight in the ring to declare a Champion. More importantly, we fight for the world, so we can all be Champions. God Bless, Las Vegas.

www.worldboxingcares.com