Gilberto Jesus Mendoza, president of the World Boxing Association, in consensus with the members of the Directorate, declare January 16 a day of mourning in honor of the memory of Don Jose Sulaiman, honorary president of the World Boxing Council, who died on this day, three years ago.

Don Jose Sulaiman was a great man and a boxing master. A person who always fought to make this noble sport better and a person to whom we owe many of the changes that were made in pugilism to protect the athletes.

I will never forget from Don Jose his solid values, his friendly hand and unconditional advice. A man who along with my father, Gilberto Mendoza, knew how to battle and deal with any inconveniences that met their way, regardless of their different visions or different organizations, because the goal was the same: the well-being of the world of boxing.

For this reason, the WBA, organization I have the honor to lead, hereby declare a day of mourning. Nonetheless, to truly honor the memory of Jose Sulaiman we have committed to continue working for a better boxing and for being better every day.

WBA declare January 16 a day of mourning in honor of the memory of Don Jose Sulaiman