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I’ve had a few days in bed after
coming back from America with
pneumonia and being instructed
by our WBF doctor in Cape Town,
Dr. Mike Waynik, to do nothing
but rest. I have never been the
greatest listener to
instructions but this time I
knew better and complied with
his demonstrative manner and
obeyed!
Firstly a big thank you to the
Hanshaw clan for looking after
me so well while in Kentucky
(the pneumonia was definitely
not your fault), but maybe just
too much flying this time. I
look forward to returning to my
“second home” in Ashland very
soon.
Lying in bed as instructed (or
more accurately sitting in the
lounge with my laptop), I read
again an article by the esteemed
boxing writer of the Sowetan
newspaper, Mr Bongani Magasela,
where he sung the praises of the
World Boxing Federation and
reported about the – not so
small, may I say – contribution
it has made to develop and
assist boxing in South Africa.
Mr. Magasela, who is an
extremely principled man, and
who calls it as he sees it (he
and I often disagree) wrote what
I believe to be a truthful piece
of excellent journalism.
I also picked up that another
sanctioning body had created
something called “a regional
continental silver belt”. I’m
not sure what that is to be
honest! We strive to make belts
meaningful and have only four
different types of belt.
Very different to other bodies
who have dozens of belts simply
for financial gain. I read about
some champions being simply
awarded belts and made into
world champions without even
fighting! What happened to those
days when a fighter had to win
the right to be called
“Champion” in the ring?
Seventeen weight divisions and
some bodies have 37 world
champions - the mind boggles!
The World Boxing Federation, I
say with great pride, tries to
give opportunities to very good
fighters, both men and woman -
we continue to strive to being a
principled, ethical and above
all honest sanctioning body and
most important we remain a tight
family, always backing each
other.
We certainly have great people
in the WBF, some remarkable men
and women, and some characters
who entertain always. We are
already underway discussing our
convention for early next year
where our family can reunite,
have a laugh, do a bit of
business but most important
share time and fun together in
beautiful surroundings.
There are always great stories
told when WBF personnel get
together.
To each and every member of the
WBF be it admin, fighters,
managers, trainers, promoters,
executive members - thank you
for the great role you play in
trying to bring back integrity
into boxing.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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