As we approach the end of
yeat another year, we can
look back with great
satisfaction on our 2023
year.
We hosted over 50 fights in
the year, staging them in 18
different countries
averaging a fight every
week.
We held a highly successful
and enjoyable convention in
Cape Town which attracted
delegates from 16 different
countries.
The World Boxing Federation
(WBF) is know affectionately
by its members as being one
big family. Each and every
member irrespective of the
position he or she holds is
equally important.
We take great pride in our
transparency, integrity and
camaraderie as well as the
fact that, unlike many other
sanctioning bodies, we
remain committed to having
only four different types of
titles.
I would like to take this
opportunity to thank each
and every person involved
with the WBF, and emphasize
once again that this period
is a time for the most
important thing in the world
– family!
I have learned that once I
start mentioning people to
thank and acknowledge I will
always err and miss someone,
but it would be remiss of me
not to thank my Executive
Director Chris Rosen for his
enormous effort over the
year.
It would also be remiss of
me not to mention the great
Eddie Marshall who is
critically ill and whose
commitment to the WBF over
the last decade has been of
the highest order. We pray
for Eddie and wish him all
the best.
Finally I wish everyone
everything of the best over
the festive season. A happy
and joyous Christmas and a
healthy, safe, prosperous
and peaceful 2024.
I am also delighted to
announce the WBF Awards for
2023:
- Male fighter of the year:
Arnold Gjergjaj
(Switzerland).
- Female fighter of the
year: Phannaraj
Netisri (Germany).
- Most promising male
fighter of the year:
Wassim Chellan
(South Africa).
- Most promising female
fighter of the year:
Ikram Kerwat
(Tunisia).
- Knockout of the year:
Ilyas Can Kali KO
Jose Ignacio Balcedo.
- Fight of the year:
Min Hyuk Jang vs. Peng Huang
(South Korea).
- Trainer of the year:
Emil Brice
(South Africa).
- Referee of the year:
Bernd Hupfer
(Germany).
- Promoter of the year:
Thomas Nissen
(Germany).
- President´s Award:
Max Zuniga
(Mexico).
