Jose Sulaiman Against Women’s Boxing in 1987; becomes one of the biggest supporters

An interesting historical article that was dated in 1987, when President Jose Sulaiman was not for women boxers fighting in the sport.  WBC President Sulaiman  made a statement in sports news with the VC cycle and quoting the following:  ”The world boxing Council Friday say that it strongly opposes professional boxing for women and all illegal drug use in sports.  It is neither Humane nor medical acceptable to approve boxing matches Between Women their physiques or not made for it said Jose Salomon president of the WBC.”

“If there is another sport in which women participate that will be respected by me but boxing should not include women in recent years some women especially the United States have taken up with support and urge that they allowed to box professionally.”

On the first day of the conference Dr. Donald Copeland of UCLA delivered a speech on increase use of prohibited substances in some sports in some cases of it have been found in boxing.

Copeland, was also adviser to the International Olympic Committee said the incident of drug use substance however has been less prevalent than in other sports.

“The philosophy of the WBC rejects the use of any type of drug,” Sulaiman said, adding that in his 20 years as head of the WBC,  only six cases of drug use of than detected.

International boxing personalities including former World Heavyweight Champion Muhammad Ali, and Sports Medicine experts attended the conference at the vacation resort that is located 40 miles south of Mexico City.

The president of the World Boxing Association Gilberto Mendoza Venezuela, along with boxing promoter Don King also attended the conference, which was part of the 25th anniversary of the founding of the WBC.

In 2015, in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the International Women’s Boxing Hall of Fame (IWBHF) awarded posthumous Jose Sulaiman a lifetime achievement award for his support of women’s boxing with the WBC.  He was instrumental in furthering the cause of professional female boxing, even though earlier in his life he was against it.

Jose Sulaiman was president of the WBC for 38 years, and died at the age of 82 years old.

Printed in the news:  July 10th 1987 CC cycle: Sports News  Dateline: Cocoyou, Mexico
Source:  Copyrighted: 1987 U.P.I.  May 14, 1987, Thursday, BC Cycle