NABF 2008 CONVENTION REPORT

NABF 2008 CONVENTION REPORT

 

WE HAD A WONDERFUL MEETING IN THE DESERT – MAY 28 – MAY 31st

The 40th NABF Convention was hosted by the scenic Lowes Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona.The natural beauty of the location in the foothills of the Catalina mountains in northern Tucson was wonderful.

 

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2008 NABF AWARD WINNERS AT CONVENTION

NABF FIGHTER OF YEAR – ANDRE BERTO

NABF FIGHT OF YEAR –  09-29-07

ANDRE BERTO  vs  DAVID ESTRADA 

NABF PROMOTER OF YEAR  – BOB ARUM  TOP RANK

NABF MATCHMAKER OF YEAR  – BRAD GOODMAN – TOP RANK

NABF FEMALE FIGHTER OF YEAR  -JESSICA RAKOCZY

NABF FEMALE PROMOTER OF YEAR  – CHRISTIAN PRINTUP

NABF FEMALE FIGHT OF YEAR  –  12-06-07

TERRI BLAIR vs JILL EMERY

NABF PROSPECT OF YEAR  – YURIORKIS  GAMMBOA

NABF MOST DRAMATIC FIGHT OF YEAR  –   12-07-07
       BRONCO “Superman” McKART vs  ENRIQUE ORNELAS  

NABF CARNATION “WORKHORSE” OF YEAR – CLAUDE JACKSON

C-O-N-G-R-A-T-U-L-A-T-I-O-N-S     

 

 

At the start of the opening General Session on Thursday morning Sr. Ruben Reyes extended a greeting to the NABF from Arizona Congressman Raul M. Grijalva. Our next guest speaker was
                                                                    Steve Munisteri munisteri.jpg
manager, of NABF heavyweight champion, Travis
Walker. 

Jill Diamond then introduced
Glenn Davidow(below) Davidow.jpg

of Davidow Financial and Insurance Services(DFIS).  Mr. Davidow spoke briefly about the health insurance plan for all boxers and boxing people that his firm is offering at an excellent rate with no pre-existingconditions.  Mr. Brad Wessler, President of Claims and Benefit Management of DFIS then filled us in on details of the plan and answered questions from the attendees. There will be a link on the NABF website to DFIS click link   http://www.dfinsurance.com   DFIS for you to obtain more information on the plan. You can also call 800-919-5514.

Below s more  info convention news and photos by Steve Wolochow…..
Our next speaker was Peter McKinn. Peter is a long time promoter located in Arizona who works with Top Rank. His major points were:
> Local promoters are disappearing
> Promoters lose money on live TV shows
> The boxing sport needs uniformity between commissions to avoid duplicity of medicals and other licensing requirements. These differences in commission requirements cause unnecessary expenses for boxers, managers and promoters.

The Executive Director of the Arizona State Boxing Commission,
John Montano was our next guest speaker. John has been director Montano.jpgfor 32 years. His major points were:
> The role of the commission is to“Regulate”
> It’s primary job is to protect young boxers just entering the pros.
> He wishes to propose that sanctioning bodies have a program for
boxers after they leave boxing.
> Federal law requires promoters to provide medical insurance for boxers. In the event of injury the promoter must pay the deductible or his commission will suspend the promoter’s license.

Next up was our legal counsel, Bob Lenhardt. Bob read us a letter
from Jose Sulaiman who regretted not being able to attend this year.

Stephen Blea Blea.jpg took the podium next. His primary goal for the convention was to raise money for the family of deceased boxer, Rafael Ortiz.  Stephen brought a framed Julio Cesar Chavez WBC memorabilia and a glove signed by Ricardo Lopez. Both items were put on silent auction.

Dr. Robert Karns Karns-2.jpgwas up next to speak on several boxing issues:
> In the old days the
weigh-in was held the morning of the fight. He doesn’t think this is a good thing. The day before weigh-in is best.
> The use of electrolytes would be very helpful to boxers.
> The 30 and 7 day weigh-in instituted by the WBC is an excellent system for protecting fighters.

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Rocky Burke

offered a homage to our departed friend Jerry Wright.

The second General Session on Friday began with our
promoter-friend Jimmy Burchfield Burchfield.jpg
who accepted a medallion
of recognition for Matt Remillard who fought for and won the WBC World Youth title on June 13th.

Jimmy’s most memorable statement was “I stand here to tell you that the NABF and WBC is just the top of boxing”.

Next up was our legal counsel, Bob Lenhardt,Lenhardt-Reyes.jpg presented our proposed rules changes which were all ratified by the voting delegates.
1- Under special circumstances a champion can request to defend
against a non-rated fighter but the challenger must be ratable.
2- In the event that a champion fights at a lower weight for a non-NABF approved bout and loses he will be vacated.
3- The bylaws will include an ex- emption to voting delegate re-
quirements under special circumstances.
4- The new NABF belt design was accepted.

Our last speaker was Jill Diamond Jill-3.jpgwho extended Female Championship thanks to Lee Peters, Sal Musumeci and Jimmy Burchfield
as well as to our current female champions and their promoters. Jill’s
closing statement was that TV doesn’t respect and promote female bouts.

 

 

 

NABF CONVENTION PHOTO GALLERY
                      COWBOY DINNER & AWARDS CEREMONY

Special Thanks for Photos submitted by Steve Wolochow

                                         

Catus_0887.jpg Memory Photo’s of NABF 2008

Convention in Tucson Arizona   

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Joe Dwyer   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Rex and Godfrey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Most Dramatic Fight Award

                                         

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    Female Fighter and  Promoter of Year
       –Jessica Rakoczy & Christian   Printup

 

Ed Pearson with Jessica Rakoczy

 

 

 

 

 

 Ed Pearson with CJ Ross with Promoter of Year Award  for Bob Arium

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joe Dwyer with Claude Jackson recipient of NABF Carnation Award 

 

 

 

 

 

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