“They are the ones who came to attack like a mad dog against everyone in boxing,” Mauricio Sulaiman told IFL TV.
“We have no problems. We are very happy. Look where we are. We are in Giza for the biggest fight ever in such a set. So I am very confident, very comfortable.”
Sulaiman then accused Zuffa of directly targeting the WBC during the fallout related to Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford and recent political hearings related to boxing regulation.
“Oh, they did. Yes. Oh, yes. They publicly, verbally, physically took actions with actions,” Sulaiman said when asked if he felt the WBC was under attack.
“What happened in Canelo-Crawford was appalling, appalling. What was said at the Senate hearings was appalling.”
“They said that the WBC as a nonprofit bought $260,000 worth of tickets. Of course we did it because we support the promoters. We help fans get access to tickets. We support our promotions. We do activations. We do social responsibility.”
Sulaiman also defended boxing’s financial structure while discussing concerns related to the possible abolition of the Muhammad Ali Law.
“The money distributed in the UFC is 17% for the fighters. The money distributed in boxing is 80% for the fighters,” said Sulaiman.
“Everything that was put in the Muhammad Ali Act was for the protection and was the protection for the boxers to avoid any kind of discrimination, abuse, any kind of monopolized activities.”
Towards the end of the interview, Sulaiman praised Eddie Hearn and Oscar De La Hoya for publicly defending boxing against outside pressure.
“My congratulations to Eddie Hearn for standing up for the sport. Oscar De La Hoya was vocal,” said Sulaiman.
“They’re not standing on the fence waiting to see which way it goes. That’s what people have to do. Stand up, be brave, and don’t let anybody come in and try to bully you.”
