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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
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