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2019 has arrived and already the
World
Boxing
Federation
(WBF)
schedule is heating
up with upcoming fights around
the world
– Kenya,
Nigeria, South Africa, Japan,
Europe, Mexico, Korea and the
USA are all in the process of
finalizing
their
WBF
title fights.
While the World Boxing
Federation stands by its
principles to make belts
meaningful and keep the
different kinds of belts to a
minimum (we have
just
four different types of belts
only
– if you have a
lot of time, go on boxrec.com
and count those of the
hypocrites!),
I was bemused to see that one of
the supposed
“big
four”
have introduced a
so-called
“Global”
belt
(not to be
confused with their world
belt!).
Honestly
– what
will they think of next?
It’s an
insult to boxing and simply
making a mockery of the sport we
all love.
Where is the integrity that
boxing used to have?
The clean sport of which we were
and are so proud?
Let the boxing fraternity do
away with overturning judges’
decisions because they don’t
suit the promoter or the
sanctioning body!
Let the boxing fraternity scorn
on organizations
making more ridiculous belts
than ever before!
The WBF are happy to take the
lead in this one because we
already stand by our principles
and values and would never
overturn judges decisions or
make additional belts. We never
have and we never will!
Let me add one story to show the
hypocrisy of
detractors.
We have in Cape Town, South
Africa,
a very promising young fighter
from a previously disadvantaged
settlement by the name of
Thembani Mbangatha. A young
policeman with great potential
and at the time 7-0.
We approved of him to fight for
our regional
All-Africa
title.
We were hugely
criticized by someone
from
another organization
who will remain nameless for
putting in a fighter with only
seven fights.
Mbangatha even though
dislocating his shoulder in the
7th round, showed huge courage
and skill to outbox his opponent
for two further rounds before
being able to pop his shoulder
back in, and then finish
strongly to win the title. Oh by
the way, he is now 9-0 and will
be defending his title in
February.
However, when it suited himself,
our
fierce critic somehow had the
audacity to approve a fighter
with 2-0 to
box
for one of their regional titles!
Hypocrisy? Double standards? No
need to elaborate on this I
guess!
I have learned
many lessons in my 44 years in
boxing. The best lesson is never
to lower oneself to other
peoples’
devious levels but rather to be
true and honest to what I
believe in. I know that we have
instilled that strong trait into
the World Boxing Federation, and
that we will never waver on
this.
Transparency, integrity and
honesty
are no empty words
with us, but
the way the WBF has worked, does
work and always will work.
Until next time, be true to
yourself and your values and
keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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