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                                                I have been privileged and 
                                                humbled over the past few years 
                                                to witness the growth and 
                                                development of the World Boxing 
                                                Federation, both in the men, but 
                                                more so the women of late. 
												
  
                                                
                                                
                                                It has been a tremendous 
                                                experience to be at ringside and 
                                                watch Christina Hammer, Holly 
                                                Holm, Anne Sophie Mathis, Ramona 
                                                Kuhne, Irma Sanchez and Ju Hee 
                                                Kim to mention but a few, 
                                                showcase their incredible 
                                                talents before thousands of 
                                                adoring fans. 
 
  
                                                
                                                
                                                All our champions represent 
                                                themselves and the WBF with 
                                                great pride and honor, and have 
                                                assumed icon status around the 
                                                world.
  
												 
                                                
                                                In the last three months, two 
                                                world class fighters, both from 
                                                Australia, have become World 
                                                Boxing Federation 
                                                champions. Firstly, at short 
                                                notice, Arlene Blencowe 
                                                completely destroyed former New 
                                                Zealand world champion Daniella 
                                                Smith, and then was followed 
                                                soon afterwards by the 
                                                devastating Shannon O'Connell 
                                                who annexed the title in 
                                                dramatic fashion by knocking out 
                                                local champion Gabisile 
                                                Tshabalala. 
 
  
                                                
                                                
                                                Both Blencowe and O'Connell were 
                                                humble, respectful and grateful 
                                                and both are certainly on the 
                                                right road en route to the # 1 
                                                rating worldwide in their 
                                                respective weight divisions. 
                                                
 
  
                                                
                                                
                                                Our convention in Saarbruecken 
                                                is just around the corner, and 
                                                we are working overtime to 
                                                ensure that all logistics are 
                                                organized to perfection. In 
                                                cooperation with DOG Event 
                                                Boxing, we have put together an 
                                                exciting line up for our 
                                                championship boxing event at the 
                                                convention (currently no less 
                                                than four WBF title bouts are in 
                                                the pipeline!) and I look 
                                                forward to seeing friends, old 
                                                and new, in Germany in little 
                                                over seven weeks.
 
  
												
												
												Until next time, keep boxing.
  
												
												
												Howard Goldberg 
												
												
												PRESIDENT: World Boxing 
												Federation 
												
												  
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