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As we
approach the end of the year,
allow me to start with the news
that this year we way exceeded
our previous record of 78 fights
per annum, and with fights still
to come in Tanzania,
Switzerland, Nigeria and
possibly Gabon we will hit close
to the 90 mark by 31 December.
A clear
message that more and more
people are getting tired of all
the silly, so-called “titles”
the bigger sanctioning bodies
come up with all the time (“You
want a vacant title, but there’s
none in your division? No
problem, we just create
something! Anyone for a Global
title?”) and support the unique
policy of the World Boxing
Federation, to NOT create titles
for the foolish.
Congratulations to all the
representatives around the world
who have worked extremely hard
to be part of this success. I
guess that if we added “colored
belts” such as purple, green,
silver, gold as well as super
and regular champs we would well
double our titles – but
ridiculing boxing that way
certainly does not fit in with
our WBF philosophy.
It’s been a
strange but mostly enjoyable and
rewarding year for me on a
personal note. Apart from being
“grounded” for five months after
getting a dose of
double-pneumonia in the USA, the
rest has been incredible.
I have met so
many new personable, honest and
hard-working promoters, and of
course there have been one or
two scoundrels thrown in to the
mix. It’s off to Switzerland
today for our last world title
of the year.
Christmas and
the festive season is a time to
reflect and to be joyous and
mostly to appreciate the people
in one’s lives. The truth is
that above all, family comes
first. Appreciate what you have
and spend quality time with
those people you love.
Time goes by
so quickly that one cannot and
should not live with regrets.
Love those close to you and live
your dreams and always be true
to yourself is the best advice
an old man like me can give. My
second family is that of the
entire WBF.
I wish I
could clone myself and visit
each and every one of you during
this festive season, simply to
express my gratitude to you and
your family for being part of my
extended family and for the huge
effort you all put in.
As we
continue to grow and move
forward in 2019, I wish you all
a Merry Christmas and a safe,
healthy and successful 2019. Be
true to yourself at all times,
be honest and respectful and
dream big.
Until next time, keep boxing.
Howard Goldberg
PRESIDENT: World Boxing
Federation
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