I’ve had a few days in bed after coming back from America with pneumonia and being instructed by our WBF doctor in Cape Town, Dr. Mike Waynik, to do nothing but rest. I have never been the greatest listener to instructions but this time I knew better and complied with his demonstrative manner and obeyed!
Firstly a big thank you to the Hanshaw clan for looking after me so well while in Kentucky (the pneumonia was definitely not your fault), but maybe just too much flying this time. I look forward to returning to my “second home” in Ashland very soon.
Lying in bed as instructed (or more accurately sitting in the lounge with my laptop), I read again an article by the esteemed boxing writer of the Sowetan newspaper, Mr Bongani Magasela, where he sung the praises of the World Boxing Federation and reported about the – not so small, may I say – contribution it has made to develop and assist boxing in South Africa.
Mr. Magasela, who is an extremely principled man, and who calls it as he sees it (he and I often disagree) wrote what I believe to be a truthful piece of excellent journalism.
I also picked up that another sanctioning body had created something called “a regional continental silver belt”. I’m not sure what that is to be honest! We strive to make belts meaningful and have only four different types of belt.
Very different to other bodies who have dozens of belts simply for financial gain. I read about some champions being simply awarded belts and made into world champions without even fighting! What happened to those days when a fighter had to win the right to be called “Champion” in the ring?
Seventeen weight divisions and some bodies have 37 world champions – the mind boggles!
The World Boxing Federation, I say with great pride, tries to give opportunities to very good fighters, both men and woman – we continue to strive to being a principled, ethical and above all honest sanctioning body and most important we remain a tight family, always backing each other.
We certainly have great people in the WBF, some remarkable men and women, and some characters who entertain always. We are already underway discussing our convention for early next year where our family can reunite, have a laugh, do a bit of business but most important share time and fun together in beautiful surroundings.
There are always great stories told when WBF personnel get together.
To each and every member of the WBF be it admin, fighters, managers, trainers, promoters, executive members – thank you for the great role you play in trying to bring back integrity into boxing.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
