Report Says Sulaiman Will Resign in Wake of Criticism Over Fight

In a development almost as unexpected as Mike Tyson’s knockout loss to James (Buster) Douglas last Saturday night in Tokyo, Jose Sulaiman, the president of the World Boxing Council, will tender his irrevocable resignation at a meeting of his executive committee in Mexico City Wednesday.

Sulaiman could not be reached Friday, but sources told Newsday that his action is in response to negative reaction among media, public and members of his own organization in the wake of the WBC’s initial decision to withhold recognition of Douglas as heavyweight champion because of a protest by Don King.

“He’s very, very crushed by this,” a WBC source said of Sulaiman. “He feels he’s made a grievous error.”

Sulaiman, 67, has been president of the WBC for 14 of its 26-year existence. “Jose is very charismatic and he has probably raised our ratings to the most respected in the world,” said a WBC member who is a Sulaiman supporter. “But getting into bed with King and being so open about it had to be his worst mistake.”