International Boxing Hall of Fame: Flags at Half-Staff for Hall of Famer World Boxing Council (WBC) President Jose Sulaiman Dead at 82 – Boxing News

The International Boxing Hall of Fame announced its flags will fly at half-staff in memory of WBC president Jose Sulaiman, who passed away yesterday at the UCLA Medical Center following complications from heart surgery. He was 82.

2007 Hall of Fame Inductee Jose Sulaiman

“Jose Sulaiman spent his life in the sport and, as president of the WBC, implemented rules to improve boxer safety,” said Hall of Fame Executive Director Edward Brophy. “The Hall of Fame joins the worldwide boxing community in mourning his passing and offer our condolences to his family.”

Born May 30, 1931 in Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Sulaiman boxed as an amateur as well as serving as a trainer, promoter, referee and judge. In 1975 Sulaiman was unanimously elected president of the WBC and served in that capacity until his passing. Under his leadership, the WBC instituted many new regulations regarding boxer safety and welfare including the reduction of world championship bouts from 15 rounds to 12 rounds and the introduction of the attached thumb glove.

In 2007 Sulaiman was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.