Azteca TV Hosts Boxing Reality Show
Vida en el Valle, News Report, Staff, Posted: Oct 13, 2009
José Suliamán, president of the Mexican-based World Boxing Council, hopes the new reality show 'Campeón Azteca' will provide a glimpse of Mexico's next generation of contenders.
Speaking by telephone from Mexico City, Suliamán promoted the new show and shared his views about the sport and of today's challenges for many young boxers.
'Campeón Azteca,' airing on Televisa and Azteca América, features eight featherweight and eight lightweight boxers. The winners will have the opportunity to face a WBC world champion, perhaps even light flyweight Edgar Sosa, who has successfully defended the title 10 times, the most-recent (Sept. 15) against Puerto Rican Omar Soto.
Sosa is a perfect example of what Suliamán hopes to see in the future. During his victory, Soto was hailed with chants of 'Ó México! Ó México!' after a domineering fifth-round performance at the Auditorio Siglo XXI in Puebla, Mexico.
"We have chosen the best prospects nationally from all of Mexico to take part in this tournament," said Suliamán. "This is a tournament of boxers that will feature the best from both of these weight classes."
In a reality show format, producers will also focus on the fighter's personal lives and the challenges associated with the sport.
In the fighter's corner are padrinos (godfathers), legends of the sport available to assist the competitors with advice throughout the challenge.
Jorge 'El Travieso' Arce, a super flyweight from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, is one of the padrinos and a former reality show contestant. He took part in a nationally televised dance contest that turned out to be center stage for his outrageous antics.
But why a reality show about boxing?
"It is the show of the sangre mexicana, the mark of the aggressive Mexican boxer that can lead to another one of the greats in the sport," added Suliamán, who has been with the WBC for 16 years.
And one of Suliamán's choices as Mexico's flagship: Julio César Chávez, no, not Juan Manuel Márquez, who recently lost to Floyd Mayweather, Jr..
"Without a doubt, it's Julio César Chávez," boasts Suliamán.
He admits Márquez is a proud Mexican ambassador for the sport, but that Chávez remains his top choice.
Mexican-American fighters often flock to Mexico City to work out in the famous boxing gyms, where legendary trainer Ignacio 'Nacho' Berenstein has trained the likes of Márquez and Óscar De La Hoya.
To prepare for his bout against Australia's Michael Katsidis, Woodland's Vicente Escobedo traveled to México to receive direction from Berenstein.
Manuel Quezada of Woodlake recently broke into the WBC's top 10. For numerous years, Quezada's challenges fell on deaf ears.
Suliamán admits with Quezada's success in the ring, comes the bigger payouts, but getting there is a huge amount of pressure. He also said that Quezada is the kind of fighter that can do well competing in México.
"There is a big difference between the two countries; Mexican boxers are more aggressive," added Suliamán. "And that's why they come to train here."
Two bouts are presented each Friday and some are re-broadcast on Sunday on Azteca América. According to Suliamán, if the show remains popular, it could become an annual series.
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