Boxing Organization at Inaugural Awards
Recognized around the globe for their green and gold championship belts, the World Boxing Council was well represented at Saturday night’s Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame (NVBHOF) Inaugural Induction Dinner and Ceremony held at the Monte Carlo Resort and Casino in Las Vegas.
Attending this powerhouse event, I saw a big show of support from the famed Mexico City organization helmed by President Don Jose Sulaiman and his son, Mauricio Sulaiman. There was a special Diego Corrales commemorative belt, another rare championship belt up for auction, and a WBC medal presented on stage to Dylan Gray, a young soldier who is now a double amputee. Guests at this first-ever Hall of Fame banquet also received WBC collectibles in their gift bags.
During the night, a live auction took place in which a spirited bidding war occurred. The prize was the iconic WBC belt known around the world. This was a special-edition belt; alongside the images of Muhammad Ali and Joe Louis were two emblems of the Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame logo. This show stopper was aptly displayed by the NVBHOF Founder and President Rich Marotta and his son, Joseph Marotta, Director of Digital Strategy. Around the gold crest is a sphere displaying the flags of almost 200 countries.
After the bidding ceased, the victor was Chicago Fight Club’s Wasfi Tolaymat with his winning bid of $2750 (which goes to the nonprofit NVBHOF). I caught up with the entrepreneur as the gala was winding down. Tolaymat was with his longtime friend, veteran referee Joe Cortez, who had the distinction of being the very first of the 19 inductees to be honored on stage. Wasfi, the new belt holder, is a big boxing aficionado and strong supporter of the sweet science. He had many of the champs autograph his prized leather belt.
Ref Joe Cortez (“I’m Fair But Firm”) also walked away with a winning bid. The retired official, who officiated his last fight in 2012 between Saul Alvarez and Josesito Lopez, scored a leather Riddick Bowe fight jacket in the auction. Cortez told me he won’t stay “retired” for long. He will work outside the ring traveling and doing some work with one of the major fight networks. As the celebration continued, Joe held the vintage leather jacket in one hand and his bronze statue in the other hand. Also joining the men was artist/trainer Steve Harpst, who has known Joe for years. Steve made the trophies for the inductees and congratulated Cortez on being the very first Nevada recipient of the statue.
Fans heading out of the ballroom stopped by to admire all the boxing collectibles. The striking WBC belt had high visibility during the gathering attending by the biggest superstars in the sport including Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sugar Ray Leonard, Bob Arum, Don King, Freddie Roach and more. Also in the goodie bags were WBC decals and a mini poster showcasing the current world champs (both male and female), the Diamond Champs and the Emeritus Champions, with the institution beginning “since 1963” touted this full-color offering.
I caught up with the WBC’s Executive Secretary Mauricio Sulaiman to hear how this all came to fruition. Mauricio was just in Thailand in preparation for the upcoming WBC 51st Annual Convention. The organization also has several governing bodies under their banner. The busy team will be presenting a special solid gold belt for the Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez fight on September 14. The Sulaimans were happy to support Rich Marotta and the NVBHOF Board of Directors.
“The WBC immediately contacted Rich once they announced the creation of the Hall of Fame to congratulate them on such initiative, and at the same time the WBC, and specifically Jose 
Sulaiman, offered any support needed at anytime for this to be a success,” Mauricio relayed to me. “It is honorable for anyone to take the initiative to recognize the careers of others and to make sure the legacy of those distinguished members of the boxing community to be enthroned for eternity.”
Jill Diamond (WBC/NABF/WBC Cares) echoed this sentiment. “As always, we are interested in supporting anything that shows the sport in a positive manner,” she commented, “and preserves its glorious history.”
Founder/CEO Rich Marotta was appreciative of this support from the legendary organization. “We sent all of the sanctioning organizations an announcement of our existence and our plans,” Rich told me. “The WBC actually stepped up and said it admired what we were doing in our charitable endeavors, bought a table at the dinner and donated some beautiful items for our silent auction. Plus, one of the WBC reps, Chuck Williams, who has experience in putting together events of this nature, gave valuable assistance and advice.”
Both Marotta and Sulaiman encourage the efforts in showcasing boxing in a positive light.
“We offered all support possible because this nonprofit organization has values and only positive intentions,” Mauricio shared. “We are familiar with those in the Board of Directors and all are exemplary boxing people who dedicate countless of hours to make boxing better without any personal gain or any personal benefit but only the satisfaction to serve others; that is why the WBC identified immediately with the group and offered any support to join their efforts!”
And of course, I have to say that the elite champions of the world have all worn the gold and green WBC belt around their waist and shoulder.
“Most, if not all, of those enthroned have been closely associated with the WBC,” Sulaiman agrees. “All those great champions were proud WBC champions and boxing members of the community during incredible eras of our sport.”
Honoring the sport, the World Boxing Council’s contributions shined at the 2013 Nevada Boxing Hall of Fame!
Photos by Michele Chong
