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Boxing is
such an interesting sport,
filled with characters:
honorable, shady, hard working,
devious, transparent, talkers
boxing really has it all.
I had to have a laugh the other
day, when the WBF was attacked
for 'daring' to sanction a WBF
Intercontinental title for a
mortal being by the name of Roy
Jones Junior. Yes, we all know
that Roy, a legend in his time,
but now way past his best should
not be fighting for a world
title, but we believed that even
at his advanced boxing age, he
was still worthy at least of an
Intercontinental title.
For various
reasons, Roy unfortunately broke
off his commitment to fight in
the UK and headed for new
citizenship in Russia. Suddenly
and with great hypocrisy, the
same people who criticized the
WBF have now had an about-turn
and decided in fact that not
only is Roy good enough to fight
for a title, but lo and behold
for their very own world title.
By the way, Roy is a good guy
and I wish him all the best
going forward.
While
attending a boxing event in
Polokwane, South Africa, last
week, and special mention must
be made of promoter Jossius
Maphephe, some of the dinner
discussions were about the
abundance of titles, and
sanctioning bodies. But here's a
different take and perhaps a
naive one in the cut-throat
business that is boxing. Most
fans don't even care which
sanctioning body is being used,
only wanting a great fight
between two giving-their-all
gladiators.
Mayweather vs Pacquiao, one of
the biggest media fights of all
time, but a huge disappointment
from the fan's perspective.
Mayweather schooled Pacquiao in
a rather one sided, boring
affair. In Polokwane, two young
and virtually unheralded
fighters, boasting records of
6-0 and 11-0 with most of their
collective wins being by
knockout, went toe-to-toe for
twelve rounds, with an
unbelievable work rate, throwing
bombs throughout.
Fans were on
their feet throughout and gave
both boxers a standing ovation
long after the war had ended. I
was an extremely proud WBF
President, who just happened to
be there to watch the fight, to
see these two youngsters give
their all to win a WBF title.
So, yes, belts may be somewhat
important but surely the
quality of the fights, and the
excitement and the enjoyment
fans derive from them might just
be more important. As time
passes fans will forget what
belts boxers fought for, but the
memories of an unforgettable
fight will last an eternity. It
is incumbent on matchmakers in
getting it right and making
these epic fights.
Styles make
fights ask Mayweather and
Pacquiao.
Finally its off to Germany next
week with my great friend and
WBF Ambassador for Africa,
Francois 'The White Buffalo'
Botha where he meets Uwe Hueck
of Porsche in a charity event to
raise funds for children, and
yours truly has been roped in to
be the guest referee. Should be
a lot of fun, and I am delighted
that the WBF is contributing to
the event, for such a worthy
charitable cause.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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