When a convention venue and event is derailed through the actions of certain individuals, it takes courage, determination, guts, hard work and unity to organize a new convention within a week at a new town, new venue and new promoter.
The World Boxing Federation’s family did exactly that through stepping up and being counted, working together and not allowing anything to get in our way. Nothing and no-one will ever stop the unity of the WBF!
The 2019 Convention was spectacular. Of course there were minor logistical errors, but nothing can take away the enjoyment, energy and fulfillment of each and every delegate in attendance.
I cannot begin to express how grateful I am to all the family members of the WBF who traveled from near and far to be part of a convention in which we honored our late brother, friend and executive director Olaf Schroeder.
We opened the convention with the introduction of all the delegates followed by some quick anecdotes from some our champions. A video of Olaf followed, and there was not a single person in the room who did not have tears rolling down their cheeks.
Some short speeches, followed by a few seminars, and then off to the weigh-in we went. We were warmly welcomed by new promoter Enrico Shuetze, and after the weigh-in and several coffees we returned to the hotel for dinner and the awards ceremony.
It was an emotional evening when we awarded Olaf the Life Member award, and again tears began to flow.
For me the moment of the evening was when I caught our Vice President Torben Hansen completely off guard. I called him up to assist me in handing out the President’s Special Service award.
Little did Torben realize that the award was to be given to him for his selfless dedication to the WBF, and especially for all his advice and guidance to me over the years.
Up came Torben and then to everyone’s surprise I changed my mind and told Torben that maybe it would be better for me to hand out the award rather than him. Torben was slightly bemused and not sure what was going on.
I then announced Torben as the winner of the award, and he broke down in tears. It meant so much to him, but it equally meant so much to everyone in the room that they gave him a standing ovation.
So well deserved Mr Hansen!
The next day was an open session, and it was wonderful to see that everyone participating again with enthusiasm and great energy. That night we had our WBF Championship boxing event, and on the Sunday it was time to hug everyone and bid farewell to a beautiful and memorable convention.
I know Olaf would have been extremely proud of everyone in the WBF.
I would like to thank Susi for her incredibly hard work in organizing the convention, bookings logistics etc.
Susi did a phenomenal job and it is greatly appreciated by one and all. To Diana and Dirk, who always are so professional and dedicated, a big thank you to both of you.
To my smoking Executive Director Christian Roesen, who worked around the clock as well to make the convention so successful, a big thank you to you my friend.
And most important to all the delegates, fighters, champions, trainers, promoters, managers, officials and others who were in attendance, I thank you all. Not only for attending, but for being who you are.
You are all special people, and I am extremely proud to be a part of your family of wonderful, sincere and genuine people.
Let’s get ready for the next one in magnificent Cape Town!
Until next time, keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
