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I have learned many life lessons
in my four decades in the boxing
business. The boxing game is not
one that is understood
overnight, but takes many years
of hard work, dedication and
commitment to even understand
the tip of the iceberg that is
boxing.
I have learned that the boxing
business is tough,
uncompromising and dynamic – and
that boxing is by far the
greatest sport in the world. I
have learned that competition
breeds characters of all kinds,
scoundrels, good guys, crazies,
bad people but by and large the
boxing community is wonderful.
At times crazy, but by and large
wonderful.
I have learned that the
philosophy of the WBF, that of
integrity, honesty, transparency
and professionalism does not
also yield the results we would
like, but rather than compromise
the integrity of the sport we
all live for, we at the WBF are
prepared to take the knocks but
will never compromise on our
philosophy of trying to bring
much needed integrity to boxing.
I have learned that we cannot
please everyone, but again that
is not our aim. Our aim is
provide opportunities to
deserving and quality fighters
who might otherwise not get the
opportunity, and achieve this
within our above mentioned
philosophy.
I have learned to take criticism
and I have learned to learn from
such critics. The WBF always
welcomes criticism if it is fair
and honest, but what irks me is
dishonest journalists who are
paid under the table to launch
attacks against the WBF in order
to push the agendas of other
unscrupulous characters.
I read recently an article in
which we were attacked and where
most of the comments,
information and criticism were
outrageously incorrect – only to
find that a virtually similar
article had been written three
years ago in the very same
newspaper, only that time
attacking another sanctioning
body.
It was brought to my attention
after some investigation that
the so-called “reporter” had
been ‘asked nicely’ to write a
damning report about the WBF to
further the agenda of a certain
person in boxing, and to destroy
the aspirations of new boxing
promoters.
It’s a real pity that this
wannabe journalist found it so
difficult to phone me to get a
few comments and a few truths,
but rather chose to insult his
fellow legitimate journalists by
writing a speculative article
full of errors, and obvious to
all – manipulated. I’m sure
there might have been a few bank
notes passed under the table,
but that’s just my assumption.
What happened to the ethics of
journalism, the honest
storytelling to inform the
public of the truth? Whatever
happened to balanced reporting?
This journalist hit below the
belt. If that journalist in
question had been a boxer, he
would certainly have had a point
or two deducted for foul blows –
probably a disqualification
would have been better suited to
the rubbish he wrote.
For
more information on the WBF’s
philosophy, please view our
Presentation
HERE.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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