Seemingly, there is no stopping
the growth of the World Boxing
Federation. Already this year,
four new countries have joined
the WBF family, namely Morocco,
Namibia, Spain and New Zealand.
In an effort to strengthen the
ties to the boxing community in
the latter country, WBF
President Howard Goldberg,
together with WBF Oceania
Coordinator Ricky Bushell,
extensively toured New Zealand
in the aftermath of the first
WBF fight there in early April
and met with many in the game,
including representatives from
the national Federation.
Acknowledging the continuing
international expansion,
Goldberg invited Patrick
Leonard, National Secretary of
the New Zealand Professional
Boxing Association (NZPBA), to
its Championship Committee.
Together with the present
members, the gremium that has
the last word about sanctioning
of WBF fights, now has six
members from five different
countries.
The 77-year-old Leonard, a
grandfather of four, lives in
Auckland with his wife and is
involved in boxing since the
60ies in various functions. It
is safe to say, he is probably
one of the most experienced
observers and administrators on
the globe and widely respected
for his achievements.
“The WBF is extremly glad to see
one of the world’s most
knowledgeable boxing persons
joining us and extending his
wisdom to help our growth,” said
Goldberg upon confirming
Leonard’s appointment.
Other newly appointed staff
members of the WBF include
Marcelo Ramia of Argentina as a
Regional Representative for his
country. Ron Scalf of Tennessee,
who stepped down as WBF Vice
President in 2010 to concentrate
on other businesses, has
returned to the fold as
Continental Coordinator for
North America.
Scalf, of course, was the
leading force in the rise of the
original World Boxing Federation
and reigned as President in that
first incarnation of the
organization from 1989 to 2003. |
