This week the World Boxing Federation staged a zoom meeting with our senior executive, our executive committee and our championship committee.
It was wonderful to see everyone during these difficult times and to engage with each other not only about boxing but about our lives and how the virus has changed virtually everything we do and think.
The meeting involved WBF staffers from South Africa, Germany, Poland, New Zealand, Kuwait, Denmark and Germany.
A special thanks to Pat Leonard from New Zealand who participated at 04h00 New Zealand time.
Boxing has taken a knock over the past few months. Down, but not out. Strategically boxing will have to adapt to the different prevailing circumstances bestowed upon us by this deadly virus.
Similar to a chess game, the virus has made its move, showed us it’s deadly hand, and has forced us to rethink our next move, and ensure that we remain in safety while moving forward in the game. The virus might have outfoxed us during the opening, but we will prevail in the endgame.
While we have several fights in the pipeline, we wait to see what the next few months dictate in order for boxing to progress.
I have traveled the world and been to many different countries. I’ve seen fans in certain countries quiet, and mostly mechanically applauding in unison, and I’ve seen fans who scream enthusiastically at the action.
Countries are different, but the safety measure imposed upon boxing will certainly and initially be relatively uniform, irrespective of the nature of the fans.
Limited fans, socially distanced, mask wearing, continued testing etc will characterize boxing over the next few months, and we all will through necessity adapt to what is required and what is imposed upon us. The safety of everyone comes first.
Not only boxing, but the world faces new challenges. The human race, if nothing else, is extremely resilient and adaptive and will in time defeat this dreaded virus.
Our opponent, Covid-19, might keep knocking us down in these early rounds, but certainly not out, and together, united we will return the fire and eventually knock out this dangerous opponent.
Stay safe and I hope to see you all soon.
Until next time, keep punching.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
