Report/Photos: Boxing Bob Newman
The annual IBF convention kicked off at the Marriott San Juan and Stellaris Casino in Condado, with their opening cocktail party. Some 250 guests were on hand to enjoy a plethora of hors d’oeuvres, beverages and a special rum punch. While tomorrow evening will see the annual Meet The Champs cocktail, tonight saw former two-time Champ Tomoki Kameda and current IBF 105 lb. champ Ginjiro Shigeoka, graced the attendees with their presence.
There was also a concurrent artisan expo set up outside the cocktail ballroom with local artists displaying their craft for sale.
An ambitious agenda is scheduled for the week, starting with general assembly, directors reports, ring officials seminars, the medical seminar, Meet the Champs and the closing cocktail and awards banquet.
Paid for by boxers’ sanctioning fees! I’m sure no expense will be spared. Maybe time for more ridiculous belts.
Does the IBF support any boxing gyms or amateur tournaments? What does the IBF do to promote the sport of boxing?
Very good question. I would send them the question and watch them trip over themselves.
3 percent of a purse isn’t much when you think about it. They are involved with rankings and hiring officials and supervisors at sanctioned events. Blame the promoters. They are the ones that make them relevant. They use these world titles and regional belts to market their fights. That’s why when many fighters get to the top and the sanctioning body want them to fight some unknown mandatory they just dump the title. They have value, it’s just that the fact that there are 4 major bodies. It causes confusion to fans.
Hopefully there vote to abolish there phony European belt. There’s only one European govening body & that’s the EBU (European Boxing Union)!