Cancun, Mexico January 28-31 2006

The WBC and people from around the world Gather to pay tribute to all current and former great WBC champions. We were honoured to be invited to cover this major boxing event.

Andy with Ken Norton Ken Norton was among more than 80 former champions who battled their way to titles over five decades who came to Cancun for the World Boxing Council's "Night of Champions" award ceremony.

Fight Night:

A packed house of Mexican boxing fans at Cancun's Plaza de Toros got what they hoped for and more during the WBC Night of Champions boxing event. The fight card was the most significant one ever held in the state of Quintana Roo, and televised nationally in Mexico.

The final event was a gala awards ceremony and dinner at the natural wildlife reserve Excaret, about an hour south of Cancun.

Roberto Duran, now 54, is remembered as one of the greatest fighters, pound-for-pound, ever signed autographs and grinned once again before the cameras.

The event program included a cultural show of music and dance spanning hundreds of years from the Mayan civilization to Spanish influences in music and dance. These acts were interspersed with recognition and special awards given to the boxers in attendance.

The celebration, which included prizes for "Most Active Champion" and "Fight of the Year," attracted 4-time heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield.

Laila Ali received the award for WBC 2005 Female Boxer of the Year, the first time that this award has been presented. Laila has shown greatness in her undefeated career, demonstrating the same makings of her father, the great Muhammad Ali.

Winner of Fight of the Year:

Erik Morales (Morales-Pacquiao I)

Lennox Lewis was presented with an honorary award as Good Will Ambassador to the World.

Julio Cesar Chavez In addition, each and every boxer in attendance was presented with a recognition award for their contributions to the sport of boxing. Emile Griffith, Roberto "hands of Stone" Duran, Hector "Macho" Camacho, Shannon Briggs, Alexis Arguello, Laila Ali, Laura Serrano, Juan Laporte, Julio Cesar Chavez, James Toney, Jerry Cooney and many, many others.

WBC President Jose Sulaiman, Andy Dumas, Don King

Fighter of the year: Floyd Mayweather Jr. It was a grand occasion to say the least and it enabled the WBC to enhance its status as the prominent world authority on the sweet science. All in attendance were privileged to be involved in what is being now considered the greatest showcase of boxing champions ever assembled. Michael "Spinks-Jinx"

Jamie and Ken Norton

Alexis Arguello

Andy and Floyd Mayweather