WBC Women’s Summit 2025 Educates and
Celebrates Women’s Boxing
by Ron Scarfone
April 15, 2025
(APRIL 15) The WBC Women’s
Summit 2025 on April 2nd and 3rd at The Orleans Hotel & Casino
in Las Vegas, Nevada was the first of its kind and different
from other WBC conventions for women’s boxing. This convention
focused on providing information to female boxers about topics
such as nutrition, the importance of hydration for the brain,
and social media. Awards were also given and there was a party
with dinner, dancing, and music for the last activity of the
convention. Many current and former world champions attended
the convention.
The event began with
a video showing various female boxers knocking their opponents
down or out. WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman then began to
speak. “I wonder who dares to say that a woman needs three
minutes. That’s knockout power,” Sulaiman said. The WBC
sanctions only two-minute rounds for female boxers in WBC title
fights. Sulaiman further stated that the WBC’s duty is to protect
every person that goes into the ring and minimize the risks
because boxers are willing to do whatever it takes to be a
champion.
Sulaiman introduced
Maite Muller-Michaelis who is the Chairman of its Women’s
Championship Committee. Muller-Michaelis stated the event
schedule which was also provided on paper to everyone who
attended. Muller-Michaelis introduced Jill Diamond who is the
co-founder and International Chair of WBC Cares. The goal of
WBC Cares is to empower children and adults by showing
sportsmanship, respect, and diversity. Volunteers for WBC Cares
have gone to places such as hospitals and disaster areas to
inspire people by example. Martha Salazar received the WBC
Cares Inspiration Award at the convention for her work as an
Ambassador for WBC Cares since her retirement from boxing.
After the
convention, it was revealed that WBC featherweight champion
Tiara Brown will be the newest WBC Cares Ambassador. Brown is a
volunteer coach with the Police Athletic League (PAL) and youth
mentor. Brown received a red and yellow WBC belt in Australia
to commemorate her fight against Skye Nicolson. Brown won and
became the new WBC featherweight champion. Brown still had to
receive the customary green and gold WBC belt, so it was given
to her at this convention. After receiving the green and gold
WBC belt, Brown thanked everybody who was rooting for her.
Brown said it was a very tough task going to Australia and
beating the Australian champ. Brown also said that she had an
extremely hard training camp.
Photo credit: Ron Scarfone
Sue Fox, the founder
of the Women Boxing Archive Network (WBAN) website which has
covered women’s boxing for 26 years, thanked the WBC for
inviting her to a great and unique event connected to her
event. Fox’s event was also at The Orleans, but after the WBC
Women’s Summit was completed. The International Women’s Boxing
Hall of Fame (IWBHF) was on April 4th and 5th with “Women Cops
Who Box” honoring female boxers who also worked as police
officers and the Induction Ceremony for the IWBHF. Fox also
thanked the WBC for helping women’s boxing to grow.
Muller-Michaelis
interviewed Hall of Famer Laila Ali. Ali said that it was not
her father Muhammad Ali that motivated her to become a boxer.
It was watching Christy Martin fight on the undercard of a fight
card that had Mike Tyson in the main event in 1996. Laila said
a lot of people saw women’s boxing for the first time that
night. Laila said that she knew that she could become a world
champion, but her father tried to dissuade Laila from becoming a
professional boxer. Laila told her father that she was going to
do it anyway and that he could either support her or not. Her
father eventually accepted it and was proud of Laila’s
accomplishments.
Jackie Nava of
Mexico is also known as “La Princesa Azteca” which translates to
“The Aztec Princess.” A representative for Cleto Reyes boxing
gloves was on stage with Nava as they revealed Special Edition
Jackie Nava gloves with blue and yellow art inspired by Aztec
art. Pairs of this type of gloves were on sale at the
convention and Nava was signing the gloves if customers wanted.
Nava is one of the inductees for the IWBHF this year and she
attended the Induction Ceremony. Nava retired from pro boxing
after her fight in 2022.
Rachel Donaire
talked about her work as a boxing manager for her husband Nonito
Donaire. Donaire last fought in July 2023, but intends to
return to boxing at the age of 42. Rachel said that there is a
chess game happening outside the ring which is where boxing
management comes in. She said that a boxing manager is a
strategist and advocate who negotiates contracts, makes fight
decisions, protects the boxer’s health, decides on endorsements
and sponsorships, and builds a boxer’s brand and legacy. Rachel
said that every choice made is made together with Nonito, so it
is a collaboration as a team rather than control.
Rachel said that she
had to stand her ground in a male dominated industry where
decisions are often made behind closed doors. She said that
without strong management, fighters can be taken advantage
of such as rushing into dangerous fights for quick cash or signing
contracts that steal their freedom. There can be hidden
contract extensions and exclusive promotional rights that last
beyond the terms of the contract. Rachel said that a great manager
gets everything in writing and does not accept only verbal
assurances.
Crystina Poncher
interviewed Hall of Famer Christy Martin. Poncher is a
commentator and host for Top Rank Boxing and ESPN. Poncher
asked Martin about the biggest strides that women’s boxing has
made compared to when she was fighting. Martin said that there
are more major promoters who are working to put dollars behind
female fights. Martin said that the boxing world is taking
notice that women can fight and that it will not be just a
brawl, but a technical solid fight. Martin recognized promoter
Don King for his willingness to promote women’s boxing and
giving Martin her opportunity. Martin currently works as a
promoter for her company titled Christy Martin Promotions. There
is an upcoming movie about Martin who will be played by actress
Sydney Sweeney.
Jose Antonio Arreola
talked about marketing/social media for boxers. Arreola is the
WBC Social Media Director and the nephew of Mauricio Sulaiman.
Arreola stated that a boxer’s dedication to training and her
craft is more important than trying to get more followers on
social media. Arreola recommended that boxers have their
fighting, sparring, and training recorded on high-quality
videos and use high-quality photos for visual content on
platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. The use of social media
can increase the exposure of a boxer topeople in the boxing
business such as promoters and managers as well as increase fans
and potential sponsors.
Arreola also talked
about sharing content of daily life and training regimens that
show a boxer’s personality and skills to connect with fans.
Arreola stated that boxers should engage with fans by responding
to comments and host Q&As. Arreola talked about collaborating
with other athletes and networking for growth to reach and
engage with other people.Videos of the WBC Women’s Summit 2025
are on the YouTube channel of the World Boxing Council (WBC).
