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My last flight for the year took
me to Libreville, Gabon – a
country I had never visited
before. Accompanied by WBF
long-time official Darryl
Ribbink, we met up in
Johannesburg and flew the five
hour flight to West Africa.
Arriving in the evening in a hot
and humid Libreville with
temperatures running at around
35 degrees, we were collected
punctually by the promoter and
driven to the hotel, where we
checked in and met our other
officials from Europe, Toni
Tiberi, Vincent Dupas and
Bertrand Chagnoux.
Made extremely welcome at the
hotel, we all decided that an
early night was in order.
After
breakfast the next day, we were
taken to the weigh-in, which was
done in a professional manner,
well organized and well
attended.
Very refreshing also that the
promoter chased us to pay the
official’s fees as opposed the
often necessity of asking for
the fees. The weigh-in also gave
me the opportunity to speak the
little French I can, which was
either appreciated by the large
crowd or perhaps laughed at – I
am not sure!
The fight took place the next
evening at the soccer stadium in
an erected building adjacent to
the main stand. The building’s
capacity was 4.000 and it was
packed without any spare seating
whatsoever. The technology used
at the event seemed like
something out of the future and
was amazing to behold.
The two fighters, Algerian world
champion Zine Eddine Benmakhlouf
and local challenger Taylor
Mabika put up a great fight,
full of action and brutal at
times, with the local man
emerging the new world champion
on a split decision. Benmakhlouf
showed great sportsmanship by
accepting the close loss and
even raising the hand of Mabika,
quietly whispering in his ear
that a rematch would be a great
idea.
Having two days before the
flight home, not to mention
Darryl Ribbink missing his
flight, we spent some time in
the markets and on the beach
just chilling and thinking what
a great time we had all had.
It is amazing that a country
like Gabon, a new country in the
world of boxing can show the
rest of the world how a
tournament should take place,
and what professionalism really
is.
Thank you once again to Yoka
Promotions for an excellent
show, to the hotel for its warm
hospitality, to Richard, our
designated driver, who took us
all over Libreville with a smile
on his face, and to WBF
Committee member Toni Tiberi for
his hard work in setting up the
fight from the onset.
I look forward to returning to
the heat of Gabon in 2017.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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