One of the early lessons I learned in life was to focus on doing the best I can do, and not to compare my standards with those of others. Of course, one looks at competition and assesses their strengths and weaknesses, but the main priority was always to do the best I could, and to have and maintain the highest standards together with dignity and honesty.
When the World Boxing Federation restructured in 2009, we, the newly formed executive, decided exactly that. Sure we would watch our opposition and we would learn from other’s experiences, but above all, we would strive for excellence from day one and focus on doing things right, and certainly not be worried about other organizations. Our belief was that if we did things right and professionally it would be up to the fans, boxers and promoters to simply decide if they liked the product we transparently offered or not.
With the restructuring of the WBF, many cynics called us a “fly-by-night-organization” and that we wouldn’t last six months. How wrong we have proven them to be. We are now an organization which has grown substantially, filled with mostly quality and world class champions, personnel and administrators with great skill and experience, and more an organization which has broken into, and continues to break into, areas which we were told we had no chance.
The truth is that I don’t find it strange that this positive movement has occurred. We have no hidden agendas, we work and set up meaningful relationships with our promoters and we are open to scrutiny. And we never demand cash for favors, as is still common practice with even established organizations.
That’s what the World Boxing Federation is all about. So when I was told that some sanctioning bodies got worried about our progress and the fact that we have grown so quickly, my response was short and simple. We would never revert to attacking other organizations like they do us and we would always wish them well.
We would simply continue to do things right, work at developing relationships with the people we associate ourselves with and allow them with full freedom to decide whom they wish to work with and why. We certainly don’t worry about other bodies, we simply focus, and will continue to focus on the WBF delivering the highest standards possible.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing Federation
