It seems like yesterday that I was writing the 2013 December Column. In this frenetic boxing world in which we live, time flies by so quickly that it is important to embrace all that is good from the sport, and learn lessons from all that is not exactly what we would like.
The World Boxing Federation had a solid and successful 2014 with about 70 championship fights worldwide. New countries that we welcomed into our boxing family included Philippines, England, China and the Netherlands, with several new countries looking like joining us in 2015.
At this festive time of the year, it is important for the WBF’s many members to put up their feet, relax and reflect, and to spend quality time with their respective families.
It is these families who play such a vital role by simply supporting and endorsing the many trips away from them that our officials undertake during the year. It is these families who provide the rock that keeps all the relationships steady, positive and rewarding.
I would like to thank all the WBF staff, the worldwide Coordinators and Representatives, our medical and legal team, our Media Director, the referees, judges and supervisors, the trainers, managers, promoters and of course the boxers for their incredible efforts this past year.
I would particularly like to thank my two Vice Presidents Jean Marcel Nartz and Torben Seemann Hansen for their support and wisdom, and my Executive Director Olaf Schroeder for his incredible work and administration in making my life that much easier as President.
I have always demanded excellence within the WBF, and all of these people mentioned have delivered exactly that. The World Boxing Federation remains a family within boxing – a family based on good morals and strong principles. A family of transparency, integrity and respect.
The World Boxing Federation is already busy with planning for 2015 having already secured fights in several countries, and as we continue to grow, we will always keep our feet on the ground. We will never, as has been evident with other certain organizations, compromise what is right and honest in order to make a buck or two. We will leave devious decision making to other organizations who sadly do not put boxing and boxing’s integrity at the top.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, a happy Chanukka, and a successful and wonderful 2015. May all your New Year resolutions come true, and I personally look forward to seeing each and every member of our WBF family in the new Year.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
