It seems like
yesterday that I was writing the
2013 December Column. In this
frenetic boxing world in which
we live, time flies by so
quickly that it is important to
embrace all that is good from
the sport, and learn lessons
from all that is not exactly
what we would like.
The World Boxing Federation had
a solid and successful 2014 with
about 70 championship fights
worldwide. New countries that we
welcomed into our boxing family
included Philippines, England,
China and the Netherlands, with
several new countries looking
like joining us in 2015.
At this festive time of the
year, it is important for the
WBF's many members to put up
their feet, relax and reflect,
and to spend quality time with
their respective families.
It is these families who play
such a vital role by simply
supporting and endorsing the
many trips away from them that
our officials undertake during
the year. It is these families
who provide the rock that keeps
all the relationships steady,
positive and rewarding.
I would like to thank all the
WBF staff, the worldwide
Coordinators and
Representatives, our medical and
legal team, our Media Director,
the referees, judges and
supervisors, the trainers,
managers, promoters and of
course the boxers for their
incredible efforts this past
year.
I would particularly like to
thank my two Vice Presidents
Jean Marcel Nartz and Torben
Seemann Hansen for their support
and wisdom, and my Executive
Director Olaf Schroeder for his
incredible work and
administration in making my life
that much easier as President.
I have always demanded
excellence within the WBF, and
all of these people mentioned
have delivered exactly that. The
World Boxing Federation remains
a family within boxing – a
family based on good morals and
strong principles. A family of
transparency, integrity and
respect.
The World Boxing Federation is
already busy with planning for
2015 having already secured
fights in several countries, and
as we continue to grow, we will
always keep our feet on the
ground. We will never, as has
been evident with other certain
organizations, compromise what
is right and honest in order to
make a buck or two. We will
leave devious decision making to
other organizations who sadly do
not put boxing and boxing’s
integrity at the top.
I wish everyone a Merry
Christmas, a happy Chanukka, and
a successful and wonderful 2015.
May all your New Year
resolutions come true, and I
personally look forward to
seeing each and every member of
our WBF family in the new Year.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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