The WBC Convention ends

With another impressive attendance of current and former world champions, on Thursday night the World Boxing Council ended its 49th Annual Convention that was developed with great success in the great Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The WBC President Jose Sulaiman was once again the man responsible of giving the last touches to this intense week, recognizing the work of a certain number of Council members that since last year planned the organization of this Convention.

 The most important moment was when the work of the athletes was recognized, especially when a posthumous homage to Genaro "Chicanito" Hernandez, the former WBC world champion, who died of cancer, was made.

 Hernandez passed away last June. And it was his will to be buried with the WBC greenbelt; he became superfeatherweight champion when he defeated Azumah Nelson in March 1997, after three successfully defenses, he was defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. a year later.

 For this reason, the wife, daughter and son of "Chicanito" Hernandez, received a World Champion belt, the same that was given to Argentine Sergio "Maravilla" Martinez who also received a heart shaped award for his selfless work and help to the assistance programs promoted by the WBC.

 Another awarded boxer was the American Bernard Hopkins, who received a certificate from the Guinness Book Records for being the oldest world champion in professional boxing history, while Mike Tyson received two awards for becoming, 25 years ago, the youngest Heavyweight World Champion in boxing history and by his 19 knockouts in the first round.

 The Fecombox, was recognized for its work as head of the Mexican boxing commission. Mr. Carlos González Hinojosa received the award, the judges Jerry Roth and Anek Hongtonkam, were the recognized like the bests of the year.

 The referee Massimo Barrovechio was the best of year for the WBC, while Telemundo received an award for its boxing broadcasts in the United States.

 The WBC awarded Oscar De La Hoya for having overcome his addiction problems, while Mariana Juarez was named Boxer of the Year by the WBC.

 Boxeo de Gala, was honored as the promoter of women's years due to its hard work of promoting world title fights between women. The bout of Jackie Nava against Ana Maria Torres was named the best of the year, while Mjobick Gelen was also honored for her work inside the ring.

 The former world champion Christy Martin was also honored for her great boxing career, as Rosendo Alvarez, who fought for the WBC title twice against Ricardo "Finito" Lopez. Alvarez attended the closing ceremony along with the prospect Randy Caballero, son of Marcos Caballero. Randy is one of the top prospects of the company Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar De La Hoya.

 Also the journalist Araceli Martinez-Rose was recognized, for the presentation of her book "El Negocio del Dolor” in this Convention whose main character is the former world champion Gabriel Ruelas.

Source: wbcboxing.com/wbcVersEng/index.php