My last flight for the year took me to Libreville, Gabon – a country I had never visited before. Accompanied by WBF long-time official Darryl Ribbink, we met up in Johannesburg and flew the five hour flight to West Africa.
Arriving in the evening in a hot and humid Libreville with temperatures running at around 35 degrees, we were collected punctually by the promoter and driven to the hotel, where we checked in and met our other officials from Europe, Toni Tiberi, Vincent Dupas and Bertrand Chagnoux.
Made extremely welcome at the hotel, we all decided that an early night was in order. After breakfast the next day, we were taken to the weigh-in, which was done in a professional manner, well organized and well attended.
Very refreshing also that the promoter chased us to pay the official’s fees as opposed the often necessity of asking for the fees. The weigh-in also gave me the opportunity to speak the little French I can, which was either appreciated by the large crowd or perhaps laughed at – I am not sure!
The fight took place the next evening at the soccer stadium in an erected building adjacent to the main stand. The building’s capacity was 4.000 and it was packed without any spare seating whatsoever. The technology used at the event seemed like something out of the future and was amazing to behold.
The two fighters, Algerian world champion Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf and local challenger Taylor Mabika put up a great fight, full of action and brutal at times, with the local man emerging the new world champion on a split decision. Benmakhlouf showed great sportsmanship by accepting the close loss and even raising the hand of Mabika, quietly whispering in his ear that a rematch would be a great idea.
Having two days before the flight home, not to mention Darryl Ribbink missing his flight, we spent some time in the markets and on the beach just chilling and thinking what a great time we had all had.
It is amazing that a country like Gabon, a new country in the world of boxing can show the rest of the world how a tournament should take place, and what professionalism really is.
Thank you once again to Yoka Promotions for an excellent show, to the hotel for its warm hospitality, to Richard, our designated driver, who took us all over Libreville with a smile on his face, and to WBF Committee member Toni Tiberi for his hard work in setting up the fight from the onset.
I look forward to returning to the heat of Gabon in 2017.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
