By Mauricio Sulaimán / Son of José Sulaimán / WBC President
Greetings from the Southern Cone, the place I’m starting a quick tour that may take me via Uruguay and Argentina. I used to be warmly welcomed by Sergio Márquez, president of CUBAP, and the legendary journalist Pedro Bologna, each of whom helped me collect numerous members of our sport’s group right here in Uruguay.
CUBAP started its operations in 2015 with the unconditional help of Sampson Lewkowicz, who’s, in reality, a homegrown hero in his native nation.
From its very inception, the World Boxing Council supported the creation of the Mercosur Event, again when this nation had solely 80 beginner boxers. I used to be current for the finals in 2017, and it fills me with nice enthusiasm to see how every version of the match reaches a better degree.
This match offers essential exercise for younger prospects who haven’t but made the leap to the skilled ranks, and who will undoubtedly grow to be the longer term stars of our sport. The winners obtain a scholarship to attend a coaching camp in Mexico, and as we speak, there are already greater than 1,200 registered boxers throughout the nation.
Sampson was born in Uruguay and has grow to be one of the vital influential figures in world boxing as we speak. Few people have left such a profound footprint on trendy boxing as he has, shining as a seasoned promoter and supervisor. Over a number of many years, he constructed a trajectory that turned him into one of the vital influential personalities within the sport, due to his sharp eye for locating expertise, creating careers, and negotiating a few of the largest matchups on the worldwide stage.
Our expensive Sampson Lewkowicz has guided dozens of world champions and elite contenders. His work isn’t restricted to easily securing alternatives; he additionally intently shepherds the athletic progress of his fighters, all the time prioritizing selections that profit their long-term growth.
Amongst his biggest successes is his backing of the sibling duo Sebastián and Gabriela Fundora. Sebastián is our reigning WBC Tremendous Welterweight World Champion and one of the vital distinguished fighters as we speak, having shined and starred in memorable battles. In the meantime, Gabriela made historical past by changing into the youngest undisputed feminine Flyweight World Champion of all time.
Sampson additionally performed a pivotal position within the profession of David Benavidez, the present WBC World Mild Heavyweight Champion and Unified Cruiserweight Champion. Underneath his steerage, the “Mexican Monster” cemented his standing as one of the vital feared and dominant boxers on this planet as we speak.
One other nice success story linked to the Uruguayan promoter belongs to Argentina’s Sergio “Maravilla” Martínez, whom he helped remodel into a global celebrity throughout one of the vital good stretches of his profession. He has additionally labored with different prestigious fighters corresponding to Manny Pacquiao, Celestino “Pelenchín” Caballero, Donnie Nietes, Javier Fortuna, John Riel Casimero, Anselmo “Chemito” Moreno, Hanna Gabriels, Cecilia “Reina” Comunales, and lots of extra.
Nonetheless, past athletic accolades, Lewkowicz has earned widespread recognition for putting the well-being of his boxers above any monetary curiosity. That’s precisely what we do on the WBC, and we’re deeply happy with Sampson and of being right here in his homeland.
The 2026 World Cup is properly underway, and now it’s our flip to expertise it from South America. We had the prospect to look at the match that includes Argentina, who defeated Switzerland to advance additional into the match and qualify for the semifinals—an absolute phenomenon, although the game is more and more marred by the continued controversies brought on by VAR day after day.
Benefiting from my go to to the southern a part of the continent, I’ll spend per week in Argentina, the place I’ve extremely essential conferences scheduled with the native boxing group: the federation’s board of administrators, trainers, promoters, and fighters. I can even have the chance to go to the church the place our beloved Pope Francis used to have a good time Mass again when he was Father Bergoglio.
The WBC and I’ve all the time shared a beautiful relationship with Pope Francis. Argentina brings again lovely recollections for us; in 1996, the WBC Annual Conference was held in its capital, Buenos Aires, led by my father, Don José. Having our group return to Argentine soil fills me with pleasure. My tour is simply starting, and upon my return, I’ll share all of the fantastic experiences I’m about to stay via throughout as of late.
Did You Know…?
Sampson Lewkowicz is an excellent boxing character whom we love very a lot. He began out as a passionate fan of the game and even had a couple of beginner fights. On the age of 20, he moved to New York with out figuring out any English and labored numerous jobs, finally changing into the supervisor of an electronics retailer. It was there that he met Don José Sulaimán, a gathering that modified his life endlessly and immersed him totally into boxing. At present, he stands as one of the vital profitable promoters and a unprecedented character in our sport.
At present’s Anecdote
As he did at each conference, my father surrounded himself with nice champions and numerous dignitaries from the host nation that welcomed us with open arms. Again in 1996, when the Annual Conference commenced, it was formally inaugurated by the President of the Nation on the time, Carlos Saúl Menem. That day marked the start of a unprecedented week, the place very important subjects for our sport have been mentioned alongside a really distinguished visitor of honor.
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