▲ Most of the commemorative sashes are from Guadalajara. Photo courtesy of CMB
Juan Manuel Vazquez
La Jornada Newspaper
Tuesday, September 26, 2023, p. a10
Some chronicles attribute to King George III of Great Britain the awarding of the first belt in a boxing match. It was in 1810, as a prize for a contest that lasted 35 episodes. In boxing, the sashes are the equivalent of a trophy and symbolize the honor of victory. It is the aspiration of any young person who chooses the path of hitting as a profession, but, in addition to the millions of dollars, how can we reward those who are already installed in the elite of this industry?
That is the reason behind the commemorative belts given out by the World Boxing Council (WBC) for elite fights at functions alluding to the Mexican holidays in May and September. If every boxer dreams of wearing his division’s belt, these belts are only available to a few.
Saul Canelo Álvarez has won most of the 12 WBC commemorative belts and this weekend he will face the American Jermell Charlo in Las Vegas. For this occasion, a belt alluding to the culture of the state of Puebla will be delivered.
“The fight is historic because two undisputed champions – who hold all the belts in their division – have never faced each other, like Saúl in the super middleweight category and Charlo in the super welterweight category,” commented Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the WBC, at the presentation of the commemorative belt. .
In addition to this exclusive belt for the weekend, those from Guadalajara will be at stake, a juicy millionaire figure and the prestige enjoyed by the red-haired fighter, at the top of the success of this business. Charlo said he would like nothing more than to demolish the Mexican.
“Everyone says they are going to end it.” Canelo, but the truth is, whoever knocks him out will go down in history for the feat,” Sulaimán added; In boxing anything can happen, but he has shown that he has one of the most resistant jaws of the moment, it is almost supernatural.
The man from Guadalajara has endured blows from really tough rivals, such as Gennady Golovkin and Miguel Cotto, but he has gotten out of trouble and has taken the bombs with stoicism. The only time they made him stagger dangerously was in 2010. A fighter close to retirement, the Puerto Rican José Cotto, hit him brutally and left him with wobbly legs, it seemed that the young man Canelo I was about to hit the canvas. José Reynoso, his trainer, acknowledged at that time that he felt true terror when he saw his pupil on the verge of knockout and with a lost face. But he rang the bell and was never in that uncertain zone again.
“He Canelo everything is at stake in every fight,” said Sulaimán; His rivals have everything in his favor. Even if they lose, even then, they win. Because facing it is earning the highest pay of their career and the most important media exposure they have ever had.
What will be interesting for the head of the WBC will be to see how the redhead has assimilated the passing of the years. Especially because in the last fights he looked less powerful as the episodes progressed. Charlo, on the other hand, usually ends very well, he added.
The belt will continue in the wake of the previous ones, which reproduce themes and artisanal techniques from some region of Mexico. On this occasion it will be dedicated to the state of Puebla. It was made with a plaque and small pieces of Talavera, framed with Hueyapan embroidery that 14 women from this municipality wove. A belt that is a trophy and a handmade piece.
2023-09-26 08:19:54
#knocks #Canelo #history #Sulaimán
