Mauricio Sulaiman, the president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), stood up for the organization's decision to let Manny Pacquiao return to boxing. The move didn't sit well with some other boxers.
Sulaiman explained the WBC's rule for exceptional boxers. He said, "We have a rule that allows an extraordinary boxer, such as Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez or Vitali Klitschko, to submit a petition to the council to return."
The process for these special cases involves three steps. First, the boxer must pass medical exams. Then, they need to get a boxer's license from the commission where the fight will happen. Finally, the WBC votes to approve or deny their return.
For Pacquiao's case, the WBC voted and approved him to fight Barrios. Sulaiman seemed surprised that people kept questioning this decision.
"Manny Pacquiao had a great fight against Barrios, and I am very satisfied with the decision of the World Boxing Council,"Sulaiman said.
The WBC president pointed out a similar situation from the past. He mentioned Sugar Ray Leonard's fight against Hagler. Back then, the WBC and Jose Sulaiman, Mauricio's father, faced criticism for allowing that fight to happen.
Sulaiman took to social media to address the issue. On May 10, he wrote on X (formerly Twitter):
"Remember @SugarRayLeonard? My father, Jose Sulaiman, and the WBC were criticized for staging his fight against Hagler. @MannyPacquiao has been cleared by Nevada and has passed all medical exams, and as a legendary WBC champion he has been cleared to fight by our organization. Let's talk on July 20"
Pacquiao, the Filipino boxing legend, got the green light from all sides. He passed his medical exams, got cleared by Nevada, and the WBC approved him as a legendary champion.
