On December 5, 1975, Sulaimán was unanimously elected president of the WBC and had served in that capacity until the time of his death.

Among the changes was the reduction of world championship bouts from 15 rounds to 12, the official weigh-in taking place 24 hours prior to each bout, the creation of intermediate weight divisions, the creation of the World Medical Congress, the introduction of the attached thumb glove and the funding of brain injury research programs at UCLA.

Outside of boxing, Sulaimán, who spoke Spanish, English, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese and French, successfully operated a medical supply company in Mexico.

For example, many in the boxing community had accused the WBC of bending its rules to suit promoter Don King.

"[6] Another journalist, Peter Heller, echoed that comment, writing, "Sulaiman ... became little more than an errand boy for Don King."