Mauricio Sulaiman: Saul Alvarez is at His Peak

WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán, responded to all the questions from the media, impressing and expressing his position regarding the fight between the current WBC super middleweight champion, Saúl Álvarez, against the Turkish Avni Yildirim held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami last Saturday.

 For him,  Saul is the best boxer currently and in each of his presentations he shows exponential development, from his speed, punch and certainty to connect his blows. In this fight, Yildirim faced the best and was overcome in all aspects. He had no opportunity to do anything, because from the beginning he was overshadowed and overwhelmed by the Mexican’s extraordinary abilities.

 Mauricio carefully explained that the WBC followed the regulations as established, clarifying that Avni Yildirim was declared a mandatory challenger by the Board of Governors, after contesting the 168-pound title against Anthony Dirrell in a fight held in 2019 that had a controversial ending, plus close result.

 “Avni Yildirim, was going to fight in the semi final of David Benavidez and Anthony Dirrell, but his rival did not arrive, later, when Benavidez knocked out Dirrell and Avni was ratified as a mandatory rival, unfortunately the issue of the pandemic came and the activities were stopped.

 Yildirim could not travel to the United States and David was given the opportunity to defend the title, which he lost on the scale, and it was there that Saúl raised his hand to ask for the opportunity to contest the 168-pound championship with the understanding that Avni he was the mandatory challenger ”.

 With this background, Mauricio was clear in saying that the WBC followed the rules as they have been established; However, he recognized that it is important to review this rule as Yildirim was definitely not up to the level of the show that everyone expected, much less was presented as the fighter from two years ago. However, until now, the rule is clear and legally must be followed.

 Returning to the subject, the President explained that the mandatory challenger rule is very important because great world champions have been born from there, but if he needs a thorough review.

Regarding the criticism of Saúl, the leader was emphatic in saying that he is an exemplary fighter that receives a lot of criticisms. People criticized him when he did not knock out Callum Smith even when he clearly achieved an absolutely outstanding performance. NOW that he knocked out Yildirim they also criticized him, which indicates that some groups will continue their attacks, but, at the end of the day,  Saul is the best boxer in the world and he is not responsible for his rivals not being at his zenith level.

He explained that this fight definitely did not meet the aspirations we expected, but this happens in all sports and at this point he gave the example of the last Super Bowl that he defined as a particular match where Tampa Bay dominated from the beginning to the end.

Finally, Mauricio closed the subject by saying that we must stop criticizing and better celebrate the champion, who since the beginning of his career has shown himself as a dedicated, disciplined fighter and above all who seeks to improve every day. A man who raised his Mexico with pride, which will continue to make history, as it has very clear goals that will continue. 

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