by Ronnie Nathanielsz
The World Boxing Council headed by its president Don Jose Sulaiman presented the solid gold belt that will go to the winner of the battle of the undefeated between pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr and the poster boy of Mexican boxing today, unbeaten Saul "Canelo" Alvarez scheduled to take place at the sold-out MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 14th.
The presentation was done with fanfare in Mexico City.
The WBC reported that "two security guards wearing dark glasses and sharp suits were on hand to ensure its glittering progress. The belt itself was in a heavy attache case handcuffed to one of their tree trunk wrists."
WBC President Jose Sulaiman said this belt is an award to honor the winner of the super match between Mayweather and the 22 year old “Canelo” Alvarez.
This unique belt has the Tourism Secretary of Mexico as sponsor and it is embossed with the word Mexico.
The first major belt that broke away from the usual green and gold was the "Diamond Belt" laced with diamonds, rubies and other precious stones which was won by "Fighter of the Decade" Manny Pacquiao when he scored a 12th round TKO over Miguel Cotto who subsequently went the distance with Mayweather.
The event was attended by former world champions such as Ultiminio Ramos, Pipino Cuevas, Isaac Bustos, Rafael Limón, Diamond champions Ana María Torres, Daniel Estrada, Yesica Chávez and Adrián Hernández.
In good old fashioned North Country terms, the solid gold belt is worth some: "Brass." The Mexican craftsman who lovingly moulded it wants to remain anonymous. As to it's value....Don Jose stayed coy, using an often used Don King quote: "Mucho dinero!"