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This week the World Boxing
Federation staged a zoom meeting
with our senior executive, our
executive committee and our
championship committee.
It was wonderful to see everyone
during these difficult times and
to engage with each other not
only about boxing but about our
lives and how the virus has
changed virtually everything we
do and think.
The meeting involved WBF
staffers from South Africa,
Germany, Poland, New Zealand,
Kuwait, Denmark and Germany.
A special thanks to Pat Leonard
from New Zealand who
participated at 04h00 New
Zealand time.
Boxing has taken a knock over
the past few months. Down, but
not out. Strategically boxing
will have to adapt to the
different prevailing
circumstances bestowed upon us
by this deadly virus.
Similar to a chess game, the
virus has made its move, showed
us it's deadly hand, and has
forced us to rethink our next
move, and ensure that we remain
in safety while moving forward
in the game. The virus might
have outfoxed us during the
opening, but we will prevail in
the endgame.
While we have several fights in
the pipeline, we wait to see
what the next few months dictate
in order for boxing to progress.
I have traveled the world and
been to many different
countries. I’ve seen fans in
certain countries quiet, and
mostly mechanically applauding
in unison, and I’ve seen fans
who scream enthusiastically at
the action.
Countries are different, but the
safety measure imposed upon
boxing will certainly and
initially be relatively uniform,
irrespective of the nature of
the fans.
Limited fans, socially
distanced, mask wearing,
continued testing etc will
characterize boxing over the
next few months, and we all will
through necessity adapt to what
is required and what is imposed
upon us. The safety of everyone
comes first.
Not only boxing, but the world
faces new challenges. The human
race, if nothing else, is
extremely resilient and adaptive
and will in time defeat this
dreaded virus.
Our opponent, Covid-19, might
keep knocking us down in these
early rounds, but certainly not
out, and together, united we
will return the fire and
eventually knock out this
dangerous opponent.
Stay safe and I hope to see you
all soon.
Until next time,
keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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