17.02.04 – From WBC President Jose Sulaiman: “Two purse offers were held today at 12:00 noon at the World Boxing Council’s Executive Offices in Mexico City. Don King Productions won the purse offer for the Roy Jones Jr. vs Antonio Tarver fight for the light heavyweight championship of the world with a bid of $8,500,000. Star Boxing Promotions bid $6,675,999, Sports Network bid $6,500,000, and Square Ring Inc. bid $6,401,113.
“Promoter OPI 2000 of Italy won the purse offer for the Howard Eastman vs Cristian Sanavia middleweight elimination bout with a bid of $217,300. Hennessy Sports of England bid $172,000.
“The rematch between Michael Brodie and Injin Chi for the vacant featherweight world championship was again going to a purse offer, but both parties came to an agreement at the last minute and the fight is going to be held on April 10 in Manchester, England.
“The WBC will hold the 2nd World Boxing Medical Congress in Acapulco, Mexico, from September 1-5. The host hotel most probably will be the Fairmount Pierre Marquez Hotel. At the 1st World Boxing Medical Congress held in Aruba in 1997, the WBC had ringside doctors from 83 countries from around the world. It was one of the greatest medical accomplishments ever in boxing, and the WBC expects the same attendance and success for the second congress. Doctor representatives from the IOC, FIFA, NFL, MLB, and many other major sports organizations are being invited. More than 20 specialist surgeons will be presenting medical lectures for safety in sports.”
The 2004 North American Boxing Federation annual convention will be held on May 26-30 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The Casa Magna Marriott Resort is the host hotel and offers a room rate of $95 per night, single or double, which is good for three days before and three days after the convention. For reservations, phone 800-223-6388.
President Sulaiman sent the following letter by fax last Thursday to Vitali Klitschko and Corrie Sanders:
Dear champions and friends,
The WBC has voted in favor of number 1-ranked Vitali Klitschko, Germany, fighting number 2-ranked Corrie Sanders, South Africa, for the WBC’s vacant heavyweight title of the world, after champion Lennox Lewis vacated the title.
The Board of Governors also voted for the following highest available challengers to meet between themselves to find the next official challengers.
As we have been advised that there are legal actions among the parties, and in order for you to take the available TV opportunities, as well as the WBC covering the heavyweight vacancy immediately after about eight months of not having a world title bout, the WBC has decided, based on the authority that the Rules give the President, to hold a purse offer on March 1, 2004, at 12:00 noon, at the Executive Offices of the WBC in Mexico City.
If any or both of you are not in agreement to accept this fight for the WBC’s heavyweight title, the WBC will rule on the next highest available challenger(s), just as the WBC Rules and Regulations state.
Following the unanimous voting of the last 41st Annual World Convention held in Moscow, the WBC will not approve boxers and promoters who do not sign the attached letter accepting to abide by the WBC Rules and Regulations in regards to the WBC’s ownership of its trademark, as well as of its accolade rights of a WBC championship.
We do have the highest regard and respect for both Vitali Klitschko and Corrie Sanders, and it will be a pride and a great satisfaction to see you both fight for the highly prestigious WBC World Championship.