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I traveled recently with referee
Eddie Marshall to Tanzania where
two WBF title fights were
staged. While we were fully
aware of the devastation Covid
19 is still causing in Europe
and parts of Africa, we were
slightly anxious to travel into
East Africa.
Prior to our departure from Cape
Town airport, Eddie and I had to
go for our Covid tests in order
to be allowed onto a flight. We
received our negative results
and began our journey. Upon
arrival in Tanzania we were told
that there was no (or hardly
any) Covid cases.
For four days the world seemed
to be normal once again - no
masks and no social distancing.
I must commend the promoters
’The Jackson Group’ for their
professionalism throughout.
After two excellent WBF fights,
with Tanzanian star Hassan
Mwakinyo successfully defending
his intercontinental title, and
former WBC womans world champion
Fatuma Zarika claiming a WBF
world super featherweight title,
it was time to return.
However, again in order to board
a flight we had to have a second
Covid test, this time in Dar Es
Salaam. The result were received
and we boarded to return home to
South Africa, only to be greeted
by the strict protocols
pertinent to Covid-19 in South
Africa.
It was back to masks and social
distancing.
Going forward every flight
taken, be it domestic of
international, requires Covid
test at least 72 hours before
flying, and of course the
results need to be negative.
Speaking to my WBF team in
Europe as they face a cold and
bleak winter, Covid continues to
destroy lives of people by the
thousands. Several WBF title
fights in Europe have been
postponed out of necessity and
will take place when and where
circumstances allow.
I urge all our team and family
members to stay safe and be
compliant with the rules and
regulations in your respective
countries.
On the bright side, boxing in
Africa has resumed in a most
positive manner. We have fights
in Cape Town and Botswana on
November 27, Durban,
Johannesburg and Nigeria in
December, back to Tanzania in
January, Zambia in February and
Zimbabwe in March.
We also have a fight in Mexico
November 29, and one in the USA
in January.
2020 has been a terrible year
but we will overcome. We need to
stay strong, united and
committed to defeating this
virus, which we will do.
Stay safe and hope to see you
soon.
Until next time,
keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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