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.
2008 NABF AWARD WINNERS AT CONVENTION
NABF FIGHTER OF YEAR – ANDRE BERTO
NABF FIGHT OF YEAR – 09-29-07
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
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
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 
manager, of NABF heavyweight champion, Travis
Walker.
Jill Diamond then introduced
Glenn Davidow(below) 
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 
for 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 
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 
was 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.
Rocky Burke
offered a homage to our departed friend Jerry Wright.
The second General Session on Friday began with our
promoter-friend Jimmy Burchfield 
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,
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 
who 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
Memory Photo’s of NABF 2008
Convention in Tucson Arizona
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