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
