By Ronnie Nathanielsz
The World Boxing Council, headed by its president Don Jose Sulaiman, has expressed their regret over some of the recent comments that were made by former super flyweight Tomas “Gusano” Rojas following his loss to Thailand’s Suriyan Sor Rungvisai by a unanimous twelve round decision in Srisaket, Thailand last August 19.
Rojas had made some remarks about the WBC - claiming among other things that he was forced to defend his title in Thailand.
The WBC made it clear that it “does not force anybody to do anything that is not stated in the WBC Rules and Regulations.”
At the same time the WBC pointed out that it “did not even receive a thank you note for the numerous opportunities he was given as a challenger and as a champion.”
The WBC statement said Rojas traveled to Thailand to face a fighter who was ranked No. 13 in the flyweight division and reclassified No. 8 in the super flyweight division.
The statement noted that Rojas went to Thailand because he received the highest purse paid in Thailand for a title fight in a lower weight division, which was about $180,000 tax-free.
The purse was prepaid by the promoter. Rojas also received the live TV rights in Mexico and was also given, without any cost, two ring corner pads for his own publicity. In addition the champion received six roundtrip airplane tickets, two of which were business class.
“As if it were not enough” the WBC added, “the promoter signed two options on the contract.”
The WBC statement said it “does not know about other conditions that were even similar to this contract which was exaggeratedly in favor of a champion, in the 35 years that Jose Sulaiman has been its President.“