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It is not often that I write
about a specific family in
boxing, but events over the past
weekend, and what I witnessed in
Buenos Aires, Argentina left me
with no doubt but to talk about
one of the nicest, warmest and
most sincere families I have met
in my 40 years in boxing.
Of course I am talking about the
Coggi family.
First in line is one of the
country's legends Juan Martin
Coggi. With an astounding record
of 75 and 5 with 2 draws and 44
KOs, Juan was a world class
world champion both in and out
of the ring. A hero of Argentina
and a man loved by all the
people in his country.
Second on our family list is the
likeable and genuine Martin
Antonio
Coggi who won our
Intercontinental Light
Welterweight title last Saturday
night. An impressive record of
34 and 7, Martin aims to emulate
his father in the future, hoping
to pick up a world title belt in
his next few fights.
And then of course, we come to
27 year old Yesica Coggi - the
promoter! Working hard right
through and always with a smile
on her face Yessica is proving
herself to be a highly competent
and respected young promoter.
Her organization of the event
was impeccable.
But more important for me was to
see the love, camaraderie,
support and enthusiasm this
family has as a single unit. I
could see Juan and Yesica
grimace each time Martin got
hit, not that it was that often
in the fight to be fair.
I could see the pride of the
family after the fight when
Martin had been declared the
winner by knockout in the latter
stages of the fight. It was a
victory for the family, not only
for Martin.
Life is short and family means
everything. The Coggi family - a
family that bases its philosophy
on hard work, honesty, integrity
and passion, something similar
to the WBF's philosophy.
I was a proud WBF President in
Argentina last week. I would
like to thank the Coggi family
for making me feel so much at
home and to the Argentinian
people for their incredible
hospitality.
A word of thanks too go to our
South American
Chairman
Jorge Marcelo Ramia for
all his hard work in setting up
this title fight.
I look forward to going back to
Argentina in the near future.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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