The North American Boxing Federation (NABF) and the World Boxing Council (WBC) are proud to recognize and celebrate the life and tireless work of Jill Diamond, a woman whose influence has transformed boxing from a combat sport into a global vehicle for hope and compassion.
As the Vice President of the NABF, WBC International Secretary, and the Global Chair of WBC Cares, Jill Diamond has become the “heart and soul” of the boxing community’s charitable efforts. Her journey, rooted in personal resilience and a deep-seated belief in the power of the human spirit, continues to reach the four corners of the world.
A Journey of Passion and Purpose
Jill’s connection to boxing began not as a fan, but as a path to healing. Following the loss of her husband, Jill took up boxing to reconnect with a history shared by her late husband and father-in-law, a well-known boxer. What started as an “antidepressant” quickly evolved into a lifelong mission.
After noticing a lack of representation for female athletes, Jill reached out to the WBC. Her passion caught the attention of Don Jose Sulaiman and Mauricio Sulaiman, leading to a partnership that would change the sport’s social impact forever.
WBC Cares: An Army of Angels
In 2005, inspired by the kindness of strangers at a WBC convention, Jill proposed the creation of WBC Cares. Alongside the Sulaiman family, she built what she calls an “Army of Angels”—a grassroots movement that now spans more than 25 global chapters.
Under her leadership, WBC Cares has:
- Facilitated visits by world champions to children’s hospitals, youth centers, and disaster sites.
- Enlightened and engaged the world’s neediest populations through the discipline of boxing.
- Created a platform where fighters become authentic role models, proving that “it takes a fighter to inspire a child to fight.”
A Hall of Fame Legacy
The NABF is immensely proud of Jill’s leadership and her recent, well-deserved accolades. Her contributions to the sport have earned her a place among the legends of boxing history:
- New York Boxing Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2022.
- Indiana Hall of Fame: Induction set for May 1st, 2026.
- British Boxers Hall of Fame: Induction set for September 13th, 2026.