The 63rd WBC Convention will be held in Thailand, a nation united with Mexico in boxing.

▲ Sulaiman (right) poses with General Thanapol Bhakdibhumi (in gray), president of the WBC Muaythai, and the Thai ambassador to Mexico, Rooge Thammongkol. Photo courtesy of the WBC

Juan Manuel Vázquez

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, April 26, 2025, p. a11

They had been in combat three times between 1968 and 1970. Efrén Alacrán Torres and the Thai Chartchai Chionoi starred in a trilogy that was the sensation of an era and had some exciting moments.

There were two victories for the Asian and one for the Mexican, including a gesture that won over the Mexican fans at the now-defunct Toreo de Cuatro Caminos. Despite triumphing in the first fight, Chionoi knelt with deep devotion to try to carry his opponent as a sign of respect.

Three decades later, they met again in a Mexico City hotel and embraced again, bringing them to tears. That encounter so moved both former fighters that they remained inseparable for five days, said Mauricio Sulaimán, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC), during the announcement of its 63rd annual convention, which will be held in Thailand.

This anecdote sums up two parallel stories about the way boxing is understood in two countries that have faced each other 57 times, with the best of both sides. The Thais have won 34 of those bouts, the Mexicans have won 22 times, and there has been one draw.

We have very close histories in boxing, and there will be an opportunity to honor this close relationship between our nations , the WBC official added.

These clashes between two countries where boxing is deeply rooted in popular culture have a history of memorable fighters. In addition to Alacrán 's trilogy with Chionoi, there's Lupe Pintor's battle with Samart Payakaroon, but above all, there's Ricardo Finito López, who defeated seven Thai fighters.

Thai boxers have a reputation for being warriors , Sulaimán recounts. There's a significant advantage to fighting in Thailand, because of the hot climate and the fact that they usually fight during the day and outdoors. These are difficult conditions in front of a very enthusiastic and supportive public .

The physical characteristics of Thai people and the traditions of their culture expressed in their style make them ideal opponents for Mexican boxing in the smaller divisions.

They are styles that guarantee exciting boxing with many hits, because both traditions are characterized by being direct in the ring, we don't back down and they tend to be very bloody fights , describes the unforgettable Humberto Chiquita González, whose career has decisive moments against rivals from that country, especially his last fight on July 15, 1995.

"At the end of my career, I faced Saman Sorjaturong, a very tough guy. I had warned him that if I won that night, I would keep fighting. I didn't think he'd beat me, and that was the end of my career as a boxer," La Chiquita recalls.