WBC News: Sulaiman In Boxing Hall Of Fame

Our President, Dr. Jose Sulaiman was truly besieged by the fans, despite the fact that there were other enormous figures in the same place, such as Roberto Duran from Panama, and others, such as Pernell Withaker, as well as the Mexican former boxer Ricardo “Finito” Lopez, champions such as Marvelous Marvin Hagler, James Buster Douglas, Alan Minter, Ruben Olivares, Carmen Basilio who is the great local idol in Canastota.

Also, Gene Fullmer who used to be one of the greatest rivals in his career, Matthew Saad Muhammad, Alexis Arguello, Ken Norton, Emile Griffith, Jose Torres, Carlos Ortiz, Terry Norris, Livingstone Bramble, and many others, all of them surrounded by a big crowd of fans who came from the U.S.A. and other parts of the world, and who fortunately to boxing, still exist.

All the champions, and all the boxing family gathered for lunch, at the local Old People´s Home, and there was an extraordinarily emotive get-together with the leaders, in which they hugged, got pictures taken, and signed autographs, in a real party environment which delivered great happiness to the resident elderly people.

Later, and between thousands of fans, the inductees to the Hall of Fame left their fist-prints on resin molds, while the attendants were clapping and cheering; in the meantime, an extraordinary souvenir sale was taking place, boxing items, gloves, robes, magazines, and books were being bought and sold, while there was a long, almost endless line of autograph hunters.

In the afternoon, almost evening, a dinner to honor the Middle-weight world champions, the present and absent ones, was offered. Carmen Basilio, Marvin Hagler, Gene Fullmer and Iran Barkley outstood among others.

The dinner was characterized by fuss, enthusiasm, and conversation about boxing which seemed to be never-ending, in this beautiful locality in the center of the State of New York.

Everybody keeps arriving from different countries as well as from the U.S.A.; at least 5000 people are expected to be there, exclusively for the great annual boxing party that is held by the International Boxing Hall of Fame.