by Ronnie Nathanielsz
China, where interest in boxing is growing rapidly, has officially joined the World Boxing Council as a member.
The WBC reported that the affiliation of China took place in what was described as “a moving ceremony” at the Yanan Hotel in Shanghai.
China’s joining the premier boxing organization in the world was witnessed by the President of the Chinese Boxing Federation, Lui Tao and WBC Vice Presidents Kovid Bhakdibumi, Charles Giles, Houcine Houchi, Edmund Lipinski, Rex Walker and Frank Quill.
General Kovid Bhakdibumi was the first to speak, giving a warm welcome to the attendees. He talked about the great importance Chinese boxing will have in the boxing world due to the great talent of their boxers, among them current WBC minimum weight champion Xiong Zhao Zhong and several other prospects led by the popular, former two-time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming.
During the ceremony in Shanghai the WBC said “a very memorable homage was made to our Dear president” the late Don Jose Sulaiman who passed away last month after critical heart surgery at the UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles.
The report added that “after this beautiful tribute, WBC vice president Houcine Houichi read the statement where China was s affiliated to the WBC which is considered the most important boxing organization in the world.
It said "this is how a country with an ancient culture, full of beautiful traditions and which has created many things that have changed the course of the world, is now ready to be part of boxing."
