Open Letter to the World Boxing Community
By: Mauricio Sulaimán, President of the World Boxing Council
January 22, 2026 – Mexico City.
Everything is going to be alright.
Unfortunately, our sport is in the headlines around the world; but for the wrong reasons.
A powerful, multi-billion dollar entity is raising its voice in an attempt to assert its intention to enter and dominate boxing, eliminating promoters and sanctioning bodies as part of the process. They seek to do so by using a U.S. law to exert control over global sanctioning bodies and their activities both within and outside the United States.
Their objective to alter the boxing landscape in the obvious pursuit of profit above all else cannot be ignored, and must be seen for what it truly is: An attempt to appropriate the people’s sport, which should not and cannot be owned or dominated by a single entity.
These external efforts include spending millions of dollars to modify or introduce new laws in the United States, and using that money and influence to buy testimonials and promote scripted interviews in media outlets they own.
Money can buy many things. However, no one can buy the history of boxing and boxers by erasing the facts that make it up. Glory, history, reputation, service, and integrity are priceless; it’s that simple.
Boxing is the best sport in the world. It offers opportunities to those who come from humble backgrounds and overcome obstacles with the hope of a brighter future. It gives opportunities to those girls and boys who dream of winning a gold medal for their country or earning the WBC Green Belt to become world champions.
The primary reason the WBC exists is the boxers; before, during, and after their years in the ring. In these uncertain times, boxers around the world who have worked tirelessly to achieve everything they have earned should know that the World Boxing Council has their back. That will continue to be the case unconditionally.
Boxing is comprised of the WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA titles. These titles mean everything to those who manage to win them. It also includes world-class promoters such as PBC, Top Rank, Golden Boy, Matchroom, Queensberry, Teiken, Sampson Boxing, Zanfer, Latin KO, Don King Promotions, and hundreds of other companies around the world. These companies promote boxing within an industry that provides opportunities for boxers in a free market, which awards the majority of the money generated at each event directly to the boxers themselves.
There is no entity, league, person, or champion bigger than the sport itself. Boxing is a global sport that has thrived for 150 years and continues to do so, providing millions of fans with memories they will cherish for a lifetime and for many years to come. Boxing has also evolved and changed its rules—allowing us to make this great sport safer for those who step into the ring.
Don’t worry, everything will be alright. Keep doing what you know how to do.
LONG LIVE BOXING!
