By Rey Danseco
The World Boxing Council (WBC) formally gave the opportunity to the Philippines to host its WBC 45th Annual World Convention in November 2007 in Manila.
Chairman Eric Buhain of the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) formally accepted the WBC flag in a turn over rite from European Boxing Union top officials during the closing ceremony of the 44th edition of the annual conclave in Dubrovnik, Croatia.
EBU president Enza Jacopini of Italy and vice president Peter Stucki of Switzerland handed the flag to Buhain after showing from a video screen the natural beauties of Manila before the participants of the 7-day conclave.
Buhain has important role in the development of boxing in the world, being a member of Board of Governors of the WBC and as Vice-President of the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF).
“I hope to see you all next year in Manila,” said WBC president Jose Sulaiman in his message during the closing ceremony in Cavtat Hotel.
GAB commissioner Alex Paglumotan said around 600 delegates from 161-member countries are expected to participate, including some of the present and former WBC world champions like Muhammad Ali, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather as well as Manny Pacquiao, Gerry Penalosa among others.
This is for the glory of this nation and for the greater interest of our professional boxers,” said Paglumotan in his article. “The cause and effect towards economic and tourism pump priming here is obviously evident.”
The Philippines hosted the same event twice in Manila, the fifth edition in 1967 and eight versions in 1970.
A WBC Convention is the traditional annual getting together of the boxing family from all five continents, with attendants from various countries.
The Philippines, represented by Justiniano Montano and the young lawyer Rodrigo Salud is one of 11 pioneer founding countries of the WBC in February 14, 1963 in Mexico City, upon invitation of the then President of the Mexican Republic, Don Adolfo López Mateos.
Aside from the Philippines and Mexico, the other co-founders are United States, Argentina, Great Britain, France, Mexico, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil.
Salud wrote the existing constitution of the 43-year old organization.
