By Mauricio Sulaiman Son of Jose Sulaiman & President of the WBC
The heavyweight division will always be the one that captivates the attention of fans around the world.
At the turn of the last century, Jack Johnson was the first black heavyweight champion in history, and he was known all over the planet even when there was no radio, television, internet or social media. Jack Dempsey generated the first million dollar gate through box office appeal. Meanwhile, Joe Louis set the record for most world title defenses with 25, a mark that still stands today.
Rocky Marciano retired undefeated as champion, at 49-0. Muhammad Ali revolutionized boxing and sport in general, being the greatest in history inside and outside the ring.
Ali transcended the sport. At that time, he was the most popular and famous human being on the planet. He broke all paradigms and will forever be the face of boxing. Larry Holmes filled Muhammad’s shoes and made 15 successful world title defenses. Then came Mike Tyson, who froze the world when he stepped into the ring and was considered the most powerful knockout artist of all time. Others, including Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe and Lennox Lewis, coincided in time with him, as well as many good fighters in the division.
Lennox was a dominant force for a decade, handing over to Vitali Klitschko, who was also a proud world champion. Deontay Wilder dominated for five long years with spectacular power until the arrival of the current king of the division, the British Tyson Fury.
The world heavyweight monarch of the World Boxing Council (WBC) is considered the most powerful man in the universe. Fury is now considered an unbeatable fighter, and he has proven it by knocking out former champion Wilder twice, and dispatched Dillian Whyte in six rounds in front of 94,000 fans at Wembley, during his last fight.
Following a dominance of heavyweights by brothers Vitali and Vladimir Klitschko for more than a decade, a significant number of high-quality boxers and high-interest fights were established in the world. Anthony Joshua had three belts for some time. Andy Ruiz appeared on the scene surprisingly by beating Joshua, who won the rematch. Oleksandr Usyk, the great idol from Ukraine, moved up to heavyweight after dominating the cruiserweight division. Cuban Luis Ortiz fought two great fights against Wilder and is still in excellent shape. Joe Joyce, Joseph Parker, Frank Sanchez, Robert Helenius, Otto Wallin and more are challengers who are up for a shot.
At the time of writing this column, I am looking forward to going to the WWW.Crypto.com Arena (formerly called Staples Center) in Los Angeles to witness a huge card on which Mexico is heavily represented. Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz seeks the WBC silver title against Eduardo Ramírez. Rayo Valenzuela looks to keep his impressive career going. Abner Mares returns after his retina problems, and the main fight will be between the Mexican-American Andy Ruiz and the Cuban Luis “King Kong” Ortiz.
Ruiz vs. Ortiz is an official WBC elimination fight. The winner will get the pass to fight a final eliminator for the mandatory position of the division.
Deontay Wilder returns to the ring on October 15 to face Robert Helenius at the Barclays Center in another semifinal elimination bout. The winner goes against the winner between Ruiz vs. Ortiz.
While all this is going on, WBC world champion Tyson Fury is hoping his and Oleksandr Usyk’s promoters will come to an agreement for the first heavyweight unification fight of the four-belt era. If this fight is signed, Fury, our WBC champion, will face Usyk, the WBO, IBF and WBA champion.
The last undisputed monarch was Lennox Lewis, WBC champion, when he defeated Evander Holyfield, who held the IBF and WBA belts.
During the process of selecting the best fights in history for the WBC OPUS book, we were able to review and understand the greatness of the heavyweight division. This division has memorable fights that remain in the memory of fans for generations. Some of these great matchups in the 60-year history of the WBC are:
Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier I at Madison Square Garden; both undefeated with Frazier defeating the great idol. George Foreman vs. Joe Frazier, both undefeated at the time, but Foreman was too much. Muhammad Ali versus George Foreman. The famous Rumble in the Jungle, where Ali regained the belt. Ali vs. Frazier III in the so-called Thrilla in Manila, one of the most dramatic fights in Ali vs. history. Leon Spinks, the night the rookie Spinks beat the great Ali. Larry Holmes vs. Ken Norton, with 15 rounds of drama; Holmes conquered the WBC title. George Foreman versus Ron Lyle. Both visited the canvas several times in a spectacular fight that ended in just five rounds.
Mike Tyson vs. Michael Spinks, both undefeated, but Tyson in the best shape of his career knocked him out in just 91 seconds. Tyson vs. Holyfield I and II; with the famous bite on the ear in the second. Lennox Lewis vs. Vitali Klitschko; Lewis’s last fight and he retired as champion. Deontay Wilder vs. Luis Ortiz I and II, pure drama and spectacular knockouts in both. Tyson Fury vs. Wilder I, II, and III. After a dramatic draw, Fury captured the title with a seventh-round knockout, and the trilogy ended with one of the best fights in history with both fighters hitting the canvas in an explosive 11 rounds. Fury demolished Wilder.
Did you know…?
Earnie Shavers just passed away and entered eternity. He will be remembered as one of the most explosive punchers in boxing history. He was never a world champion, but he beat several former champions, including the great Ken Norton. Shavers hit like a mule kick. Larry Holmes went down in the seventh round and was knocked down badly. My dad told us how Holmes fell right where he was sitting, Holmes said to himself, “I have to get up, I have to get up.” He arrived at nine and was saved by the bell. The world boxing community is united in grief at the departure of a great boxer and a great human being.
anecdote today
One of the most important moments in my dad’s life was when he had the honor of meeting Pope John Paul II in person. Years later, fate led my brother Héctor and me to meet the Holy Father Francisco. Our dear friend, Román Rodríguez, recommended us with José María del Corral and Enrique Palmeyro to establish and direct Scholas Occurrentes México. In the audience with the Pope, José María introduced me as President of the World Boxing Council and the creation of the Box Val (Boxing with Values) program was announced.
Before leaving the room, Pope Francis greeted two children who were right in front of me and then he came over, extended his hand and when I shook it, he stared at me and said: “So, world champion?” I didn’t know what to answer, and in that pause he told me: “But heavyweight!”. And he let out a beautiful laugh. That is, without a doubt, one of the most incredible moments of my life.
I welcome your feedback at [email protected].
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