While Covid-19 continues to thwart the normality of our lives, the one thing that is for sure is that boxing is slowly returning to the world.
Perhaps differently, the return of boxing has facilitated huge adaptations to ensure the safety of all concerned in our sport.
The World Boxing Federation returned to action On August 14 with a title fight in Tanzania with local superstar Hassan Mwakinyo claiming our intercontinental super welterweight title.
The day after that fight I received a call from Mwakinyo’s team calling out world champion Lasha Gurguliani from Georgia. That fight might happen sooner than we expect.
Of course our Slovenian princess Ema Kozin faces the toughest test of her career in early September with a daunting opponent in former world champion Chris Namus of Uruguay. It will be an interesting contest and Ema will be tested to the full.
With WBF fights lined up in the next few months it is refreshing to see that our champions and challengers will be returning to do what they do best, and also to allow our officials to resume work in championship bouts.
We may be far from knocking out this virus, but we’re on the right path and it will take a huge collective effort from all to ensure victory against this terrible virus.
Harsh as the virus may be, and deadly as it has proven to be, there is great simplicity in its path of destruction. It has no brain, only destructive brawn. Humanity has the brains to beat this simple yet dangerous virus.
It is wonderful to see boxing back but I urge one and all not to relax but to take all safety precautions and follow all health guidelines to ensure the well being of our boxing community, and in fact our world.
Until next time, keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
