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If one had asked me about womens
boxing two decades ago, I would
have shuddered and responded by
saying that there was no place
inside the ring for women. The
fairer sex simply were not up to
their male counterparts and that
perhaps the alternative could be
another sport such as athletics,
netball or swimming.
Not for one moment at that time
did I ever believe that any
transition could occur and that
women could ever occupy a
position in boxing on a par with
men.
For this thinking I owe the
women of the world, and
particularly the women in boxing
a massive and unreserved
apology. Boxing has become a
serious sport for our ladies,
who address it with drive,
dedication and huge commitment.
They train as if their lives
depended on it, they sweat on
the road in the early hours of
the day when running, and they
too bleed when giving it all in
the sport that they too love and
cherish.
I apologize for being judgmental
in my youth and and forcasting a
male only pugilistic sport. I
apologize for denying women a
right in the square ring and I
apologize for making unfair
assumptions about women’s
abilities and capabilities.
I have now changed my mind and
welcome the fairer sex as equals
in the boxing world.
I look at our champions Natascha
Ragosina, Noni Tenge, Myriam
Lamare, Ramona Kuehne, Unathi
Myekeni, Nadia Hokmi and Ju Hee
Kim with great pride and
admiration, and with delight and
warmth as I acknowledge their
true place in world boxing. To
these women and world champions,
and to all the women who are
involved in boxing - we embrace
you as equals, we congratulate
your efforts and we wish you all
the best for the future.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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