By Boxing Bob Newman

The 49th annual NABF convention ended on Sunday in San Diego with the judges seminar and a special presentation. Outgoing NABF president Duane Ford on his first class ABC certified judges seminar in the Westin hotel’s Plaza room.

Ford emphasized professionalism and the desire to improve throughout one’s judging career. A sign of the times- social media again raised its ugly head with warnings from Ford. “You will leave your digital footprint even in what you think are private messages.”

“Commenting on upcoming assignments, taking photos with fighters and promoters, etc. and posting them online is a major conflict of interest for an active official,” stressed Ford.

As per standard operating procedure, several rounds of boxing were played in a video screen and scored by the assembled judges.

Comparisons were made and discussions were had in the spirit of education.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman made the first of what would be two appearances in the morning. Sulaiman broached the topics of open scoring and noise reducing headsets for WBC title fights. Both innovations are WBC pet projects which Sulaiman is very passionate about, but still welcomed input, be it pro or concerns, from the assembled judges. Response was varied throughout the room.

The ABC Jude’s certification exam was administered at the end of the seminar.

During a break, WBC lightweight champion Mikey Garcia took a break from training for his upcoming bout with Adrien Broner to be officially presented with his WBC belt. Garcia thanked the WBC and all his supporters and promised more to come in his already stellar career.