ORLANDO, FL (September 11, 2023) – CES Boxing founder Jimmy Burchfield, Sr. was in for a pleasant surprise on Saturday night, as the North American Boxing Federation (NABF) presented the legendary promoter with the “Promoter of the Year” award at their 53rd annual convention.
The ceremony took place at the beautiful Caribe Royale resort in Orlando, Florida. Other notable guests at the convention included hall-of-fame two-division world champion and ESPN commentator Tim Bradley, current WBC middleweight king Jermall Charlo, newly minted NABF super featherweight champion Jordan White, emerging Irish sensation Callum Walsh, promoter Tom Loeffler, and hall-of-fame manager, matchmaker and journalist Don Majeski.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman and NABF President Duane Ford presented Burchfield with the prestigious award.
“I’m honored with this award,” said Burchfield, who founded Classic Entertainment and Sports (CES) in 1992. “The NABF and WBC are very special to me, going back to Jose Sulaiman’s days.”
Burchfield related a story about how the late Don Jose Sulaiman, Mauricio’s father and longtime former WBC president, once called him to ask if he would serve on a ‘Rocky Marciano’ committee. Don Jose sought to create a monument in Marciano’s likeness to honor the Brockton great.
“I never understood how Jose did this,” said Burchfield. “He had the statue made in Mexico, had it brought to Boston on a ship like the Statue of Liberty, and if you are ever in Massachusetts, you have to make a stop in Brockton to visit this statue.”
The project culminated in a 2-ton, 20-foot statue of Marciano, the only heavyweight champion to retire with an undefeated record. The monument stands in Marciano Stadium near Brockton High School, where it was erected in 2012.
Burchfield thanked current NABF President Duane Ford and WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman, and paid homage to beloved former NABF President and longtime NABF executive board member Sammy Macias, who passed away in 2018.
“When you got done coming to an NABF convention with Sammy Macias, you needed a 3-day vacation when you got back,” joked Burchfield to the delight of the crowd. “We had some great times together and I still speak to his wife when I think of him.”
Burchfield also reflected on some of the key topics discussed at the 3-day convention, which emphasized integrity and accountability in how fights are judged and officiated. These themes were prominent in the event’s keynote speeches, several roundtable discussions, and immersive seminars for judges and referees.
“Integrity is what I’m all about,” said Burchfield about what he values most in life. “That’s how I run my life, and that’s how I run my business.”
Himself a former judge, Burchfield traded in his judgeship in 1992 for a promoter’s license, and he went on to build CES into a powerhouse in the Northeast. Over 3 decades, Burchfield has developed and promoted several world champions, including Vinny Pazienza, Chad Dawson, Peter Manfredo Jr., and many others. His current stable includes the likes of top lightweight contender Jamaine Ortiz, who faces Antonio Moran this Friday on an ESPN card out of Corpus Christi, TX, as well as many of the best prospects in New England.
In closing, Burchfield reminisced about his past accomplishments and future goals with respect to CES boxers winning NABF championships, noting that over 100 NABF champions have gone on to also win world titles.
“I received this award several years ago when I had either 5 or 6 NABF champions on my roster,” recalled Burchfield. “I’d love to have an NABF champion in every single one of the weight classes. I said to Duane Ford yesterday that I’m planning a big card at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, and I would love to have 3 NABF championship belts on the line that night. We’re going to work hard to do that. God bless you and I love you all.”
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