PH, THAI BOXING OFFICIALS, PROMOTERS IN WBC 54TH ANNUAL CONVENTION

GAB Chairman Abraham Mitra (2nd from left), Boxing Chief Dr. Nasser Cruz (extreme left) and OPBF President Juan Ramon Guanzon (3rd from left) with some of the participants in the WBC 54th Annual Convention in Florida, USA. (Photo by BRICO SANTIG)

BY LITO DELOS REYES

FILIPINO professional boxing officials, promoters and managers are now in the United States in the on-going TECATE World Champion Playground and Fan Fest from December 11 to 13 at the Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida at the Convention Center in the United States.

The activity is part of the annual World Boxing Council (WBC) 54^th Annual Convention slated Dec. 11 to 17.

Representing the Philippines boxing governing body are Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Mitra and Boxing Division Chief Dr. Nasser Cruz.

Also present are former GAB chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon (who is also the current president of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation), international boxing promoter-managers Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Promotions, manager Jose Flores and promoter-manager Johnny Elorde and his wife Liza.

“Aside from WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman, we also met a lot of boxing greats and officials here,” said Santig in a chat message.

Among those who also signed their autographs were the retired undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., former champions Eric Morales, Roy Jones and Vitali Klitschko, boxing promoter Don King and Boxer of the Year candidates Gennady Golovkin and Roman Gonzales.

The other attendees are WBC Board of Governor Member Kiate Singul of Thailand, WBC Asia Secretary General Patrick Cussic, Executive Secretary Cornel Damrung and Asian boxing patron Naris Singwangcha.

The WBC also presented a life size statue of Boxing’s King, Muhammad Ali, who passed away on June 3. Ali was given a special tribute, accompanied by the entire boxing family.

WBC presented a wax statue of the actual size of Muhammad Ali, who is considered as greatest boxer of all time.

The event also had the TECATE Fan Experience, World Champion Exhibition/Training, World Champions/Legends Autographs, World Champions Experience (40 minute training next to a pro) and Experience Brooklyn Fit Training.

The WBC Rankings committee, on the other hand, kicked of the working sessions of the convention under the leadership of Bob Yalen (USA), who represented Frank Quill who was not able to attend due to medical issues.

The Ratings Committee has addressed several important matters of the boxing world, which have to be approved by the WBC Board of Governors during the public sessions.

Meanwhile, the medical doctors led by Dr Paul Wallace have discussed how age effects boxers, studies if there are any effects on the children of women fighters, hand wrappings, and what type of boxing gloves are healthiest, as well as most effective.

Among those also taken up were on how many times gloves are used in sparring and gym work, when to stop a fight, how to gauge the severity of cuts, how to react and treat a stricken fighter in a full blown emergency, with all the emergency procedures to hand and ready.

The other issues were about controlled and graduated weight loss and rehydration.

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman (right) and Filipino international boxing promoter-manager Brico Santig.

(Left to right) World champion Gennady Golovkin, boxing patron Naris Singwangcha and promoter-manager Brico Santig

Boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. (right) gives his autograph on the Shock Boxing Glove with Brico Santig.

Santig with WBC Asia Executive Secretary Cornel Damrong (center) and Secretary General Patrick Cussic.

WBC Board of Governors Member Kiate Singul (middle) is flanked by WBC Asia Executive Secretary Cornel Damrong (left) and GAB Boxing Chief Dr. Nasser Cruz. (Photo by BRICO SANTIG)