For those who know me, they are strongly aware that the striving for excellence features high on my agenda. So this months’ column is to praise our hard working administration staff all over the world, our committees, our champions, their managers and trainers and of course our loyal promoters.
Doing a bit of homework I collectively tallied the records of our world champions to see whether we are in fact on the road to what the WBF wants – excellence. A combined record of 331 victories to 32 defeats mathematically averages to our champions having a record of 33-3 which amounts to world class in anyone’s books.
Our titles are filling up fast and before the year is up, we intend to have all but two of our titles filled with quality champions, and those two remaining gaps we hope to fill early in 2013. Through circumstances beyond our control, we sadly had to postpone our convention, which will definitely take place in the second quarter of 2013. It is imperative for us all to get together and talk boxing and WBF.
It is also most gratifying to see top fighters who perhaps at an earlier point were unsure of the fresh WBF, come knocking on our door eager to contest our world titles. That is what hard work, integrity, sincerity and professionalism has produced.
But for me excellence is a process and a never ending road – as much as we have progressed into a strong world recognized sanctioning body, thanks to everyone’s collective efforts, we are still really only starting our journey. We need to continue the excellence and actually improve from where we stand. We have certainly climbed incredibly high mountains already, but there are bigger mountains to climb and conquer – we relish the challenge.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
