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With the year drawing to a
close, for the World Boxing
Federation, its business as
usual with a hectic schedule of
our title fights taking place
all over the world.
With eight or so weeks left, I
myself still have to go to
Japan, USA, Argentina, Korea,
Egypt and Namibia, not
forgetting a double title bill
in Cape Town, and another in
Kagiso Gauteng.
While all this is taking place,
let me not forget about upcoming
fights in Belgium, Switzerland,
France, Mexico and Germany to
mention but a few.
Flying all over the world might
sound (and sometimes might be)
glamorous and exciting but I can
assure you, traveling is not
always that easy. It is the
policy of the WBF that all of
our officials, myself included,
travel economy class thus not to
add to the financial burden of
promoters.
Last week, I was in Cairo, Egypt
with WBF referee Eddie Marshall
for the Andreas Valavanis fight.
We were treated with such
respect and kindness by everyone
in Cairo, but special mention
must be made of promoter Richard
Nwoba who has turned Cairo into
a boxing city.
An absolute gentleman, and a
hard working promoter, Richard
continues to show his growth as
a promoter and I look forward to
returning to Cairo in December.
While talking about promoters it
would be apt to congratulate
Ranee Schroeder who at 15 must
be one of the youngest promoters
world wide. Of course she has
her dad, Olaf Schroeder helping
her as much as possible, but I
was delighted to hear from a
source at her last show, about
the professionalism shown by
Ranee way beyond her years.
The woman’s world bantamweight
title took place in Welkom South
Africa this past weekend with
champion Bukiwe Nonina turning
in a flawless performance in
beating the tough and underrated
Mokebisi on points over ten
rounds.
The year is drawing to a close
but yet the fights continue to
take place at a staggering rate.
I am so proud of the WBF family
members all who contribute in
one way or another, and who do
so with energy and enthusiasm.
Finally congratulations to
Anthony Joshua (a real
gentleman) on stopping our
former WBF heavyweight champion
Carlos Takam in ten on Saturday
night. While people questioned
the referee’s decision to stop
the fight, feeling it was
slightly premature, I would once
again say rather too early than
too late.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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