• Reduction of world title fight lengths from 15 to 12 rounds.

• Mandatory official weigh-ins 24 hours prior to bouts.

• Creation of intermediate weight divisions.

• Implementation of the four-rope ring.

• Introduction of the attached-thumb glove to prevent eye injuries.

• Mandatory anti-doping testing following every WBC-sanctioned fight.

• Continuous donations to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) for sports-related scientific research.

• Mandatory annual medical examinations for champions and ranked boxers.

• Life and hospitalization insurance for all fighters competing on championship cards.

• Establishment of financial support pensions for vulnerable boxers worldwide.

• Open opposition to apartheid in South African boxing—a stance that earned President José Sulaimán recognition from the United Nations (UN).

Mauricio Sulaimán Saldívar was born on December 30, 1969, in Mexico City. He is the youngest son of José Sulaimán Chagnón and Martha Saldívar Morales, and brother to José, Lucy, Héctor, Fernando, and Claudia.

Passionate about music and sports from an early age, he closely followed in his father’s footsteps, learning from him the vocation of serving others. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM), State of Mexico Campus. His academic background also includes two specializations: a diploma in Finance and another in High-Responsibility Management from the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO).

He served as President and CEO of Controles Gráficos. In 1992, the WBC appointed him Director of Public Relations, and in 1994, he was elected Vice President of the North American Boxing Federation (NABF). In 2004, he assumed the role of Executive Secretary of the WBC, and on February 12, 2014, he was unanimously elected President of the World Boxing Council.

During his early years leading the organization, Mauricio Sulaimán spearheaded key initiatives such as developing professional and amateur tournaments, actively participating in social impact and rehabilitation programs, strengthening support for retired boxers through the José Sulaimán Fund, and organizing continuous training seminars for judges and referees worldwide.

This period saw the launch of the Clean Boxing Program (CBP) in partnership with VADA, designed not only to execute out-of-competition anti-doping tests, but also to educate athletes on the dangers of prohibited substances. Additionally, the WBC formalized a partnership with Pope Francis’s pontifical foundation, Scholas Occurrentes, to support youth through sports. In social advocacy and historical justice, the WBC backed efforts that led to the posthumous presidential pardon granted to Jack Johnson, the first African American world heavyweight champion.

During the global crisis of 2020 stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, the WBC maintained active leadership by creating campaigns such as “Stay at Home”, virtual WBC Workout routines, and daily WBC Talks broadcasts. Furthermore, the organization developed and freely shared a medical-administrative protocol for returning to boxing behind closed doors—enabling the safe reactivation of the global industry while launching the “Heroes for Humanity” initiative to honor those fighting the health emergency in their local communities.

Over recent years, the WBC has driven innovation and athlete safety into a new global era through strategic actions across key areas:

Regulatory and Officiating Innovation

• Consolidation of Open Scoring: Historical implementation of open scoring in the United States in 2026 through strategic partnerships with the Nevada and Ohio Athletic Commissions, adding to its adoption across global jurisdictions to bring greater transparency to the sport.
• Enhanced Scoring System: Development and integration of comprehensive scorecards to evaluate rounds with higher technical precision.
• Heavyweight Safety: Introduction of 12-ounce gloves in the heavyweight division to absorb impact and maximize athlete protection.

Major Global Events and Strategic Partnerships

• Riyadh Season WBC Grand Prix: Creation of the first WBC World Cup in partnership with H.E. Turki Alalshikh, a global tournament designed to bring together the world’s top talent.
• Global Promoters Summits: Hosting international summits with top promoters to align interests, remove commercial barriers, and deliver the fights fans want to see.

International Development and Talent Exposure

• Boosting African Boxing: Launching support programs and infrastructure to elevate emerging African talent onto main-stage global boxing cards.
• Advancement of Women’s Boxing: Continued leadership in elevating women’s boxing by guaranteeing record purses, broader global broadcast coverage, exclusive commemorative belts, and hosting regular WBC Women’s World Conventions to defend female fighters’ health and rights.

Cultural Identity and Heritage

• Commemorative Belts: Establishing special-edition handcrafted belts (Huichol, Maya, Zapotec, among others) as a tribute to the history, culture, and bravery of boxers during iconic dates on the boxing calendar.

Health, Protocols, and Social Responsibility

• WBC Cares: Global expansion of the social responsibility program under the leadership and dedication of Jill Diamond and Christiane Manzur, delivering support, hospital and school visits, and hope to vulnerable communities worldwide.
• Clean Boxing Program (CBP): Ongoing expansion of the anti-doping program in partnership with VADA to ensure a clean sport globally.
• Pre-Fight Weight Monitoring: Strengthening mandatory 30-, 14-, and 7-day weight check protocols before fights to prevent extreme dehydration and protect athletes’ lives.