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After
several years of not taking a
holiday, my family and I decided
on a week away in Thailand on
the condition that I would not
take any boxing calls, not
answer any boxing Skype and not
check on the internet as to what
was happening in the world of
boxing.
Firstly from a travel
perspective, Thailand must
surely rate as one of the most
beautiful idyllic places in the
world. The postcards one sees
and is skeptical of the truth,
resulting in people having huge
reservations about its
authenticity - take it from me,
those postcards are all true. It
is a magnificent country, with
undeniable beauty, full of
polite and genuine people.
Walking around in Phuket,
knowing that boxing was out of
the question, I ventured away
from the family for a few
minutes to look at T-shirts and
of course boxing T-shirts on the
quiet. While doing this
shopping, the owner walked up to
me and asked if I like boxing,
but in particular Thai boxing. I
asked him who his favorite
orthodox boxing hero was, and he
replied Evander Holyfield.
I took out my phone and
proceeded to show him a picture
of Evander and me, taken in
China a few years ago. It was at
that moment my idea of a non
boxing holiday came to an abrupt
end. He started to shout in Thai
and suddenly a group of about 20
men approached me all wanting to
see pictures of Evander and take
pictures with me even though at
that point and probably still
have absolutely no idea of who I
was.
I then outlined my position as
president of the World Boxing
Federation and again a second
group arrived wanting pictures.
The truth is that boxing is so
universal and most of us
involved in the sport we love,
irrespective of where we come
from speak one language of
boxing even if we don’t
understand the exact
translation.
They wanted to sell me gloves,
T-shirts, boxing shorts, mouth
pieces and much more and one
should remember that this wasn’t
even a boxing shop. I was then
invited to attend a Muay Thai
boxing event that night. I
looked at my family with
sheepish eyes hoping that they
might relent and allow me to go,
but abruptly reminded me that it
was a family vacation, and that
boxing was not on the agenda.
I have been to many countries
around the world, and seen the
love, affection and intensity
people have for boxing. The
energy and excitement of the
Thai people meeting me, a boxing
person, even though they had no
idea who I was or wasn’t was
incredible.
We then spent four days at Phi
Phi island away from all
civilization. I took stock of my
life, grateful to have a
fantastic family but also to
work and live life in the sport
so dear to me and so many
millions around the world. There
is not sport in the world that
beats boxing!
Finally to my second family -
that of those members of the
WBF. I am so fortunate to work
daily with some of the finest
human beings in the world, and I
am forever thankful for that.
Good luck to Eddie Marshall who
heads to Nigeria tomorrow (yet
another new country for the WBF)
for two title fights on Friday
night.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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