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As the year winds down, we at
the World Boxing Federation can
reflect on a good year as we
continue our exciting and
progressive adventure of growing
and developing quality boxing
worldwide.
We have ventured into the USA
with Evander Holyfield holding
our heavyweight crown, and with
some exciting opportunities
beckoning for the Real Deal in
2011 as he too winds down on his
remarkable career.
Poland has been active with our
top class champions, Kolodziej
and Kostecki showing their class
throughout the year. Albania
hosted our Convention but in a
shock Kreshnik Qato lost his
title this month, but knowing
Qato as I do, he will do his
utmost to come back and aim to
regain his title.
South Africa suffered a quiet
year as a result of the Soccer
World Cup, but with William Gare
defending on December 11,
Lbubalo Msutu defending in
February, and Matima Molefe
challenging in March, South
Africa looks like being
explosive in 2011.
Of course we ventured into
Mexico with Manny Jimenez
claiming the Strawweight title,
also defending it in late
December.
Many international,
intercontinental and regional
titles were contested and while
we congratulate all the winners,
special mention must be made of
our first South American
champion, Raphael Zumbano of
Brazil, whose fight I was
fortunate to attend. Notice the
name Zumbano - he could just be
one to remember in the future.
Our woman’s titles excelled this
year, with many world
championships being
contested. The quality of our
champions is without question as
good, if not better, than any of
the other organizations. The
outstanding skills of Natascha
Ragosina, Noni Tenge, Myriam
Lamare, Ramona Kuehne, Unathi
Myekeni, Nadya Hokmi, Oksana
Vasilieva and Ju Hee
Kim speak for themselves.
I would like to take this
opportunity to pay tribute to
the World Boxing Federation team
- the executive, our global
representatives, our legal team,
our medical team under the
expertise of Dr Adam Balogh,
Diana Spasova our brilliant
General Secretary, and all
others involved in making the
World Boxing Federation the high
standard organization it is, and
for all the hard work put in
into a good and solid 2010.
I would, however, like to single
our Executive Director Olaf
Schroeder for his dedication
and remarkable work put in this
year, our Vice President Jean
Marcel Nartz for his wisdom and
cool head, our past Vice
President and now advisor Matteo
Fratini for all his efforts,
Toni Tiberi for his dedication
and hard work on our committee,
and also to Sergio Sotelo for
incredible work in the Latin
America and Mexico side.
Having said that, it remains a
full and committed team effort
that will drive us in 2011 where
we aim to fill our titles with
quality fighters, where we aim
to see our champions fighting at
least 2 to 3 times a year, where
we show the rest of the boxing
world our legitimacy and our
excellence.
Remember too we have our annual
Convention in Kiev in the first
week of July - and would really
like to see all of you there.
Finally I would like to wish
each and every one of you and
your family a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year - to look
for the good things in life, and
to strive for excellence in
everything you do. Dream big
and realize these dreams - much
of it is up to you!
I thank you for 2010.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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