by Ronnie Nathanielsz

WBC president Don Jose Sulaiman will regrettably miss the organization’s 51st annual convention in the Thai capital of Bangkok as he recovers from major heart surgery done at the UCLA Medical Center some weeks ago.

It will be the first time that Sulaiman who has presided over WBC annual conventions since 1975 will be forced to miss a gathering of the biggest professional boxing organization in the world.

However, as Bob Newman reports, Sulaiman left all matters prepared to be addressed and is confident the convention will run smoothly and will be business as usual with the highly capable members of the WBC Board and the sensational local organizing committee lead by General Kovid and his staff.

Several important issues will be taken up during the working sessions which will take place from November 3-9.

Among them will be the Ratings which will be discussed and voted on, openly. Mandatory title defenses in all divisions will also be voted on in an open system, enhancing transparency.

Continuation of a commendable initiative of a fund plan for former WBC champions who have come upon hard times will continue while there will also be training seminars for ring officials including referees and judges.

The WBC members will also vote for the various awards to be handed out for 2013 while World Boxing Cares will visit the Thailand National Children´s Hospital.

Among the great WBC champions expected to attend the convention are  Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, Miguel Cotto, Jeff Fenech, Nigel Benn, Ricky Hatton, Humberto “Chiquita” Gonzalez, Carlos Zarate, Lupe Pintor and of course many Thai world champions.