SOME 120 delegates from various boxing organizations of member-nations in the Asia and the Pacific are currently in Bacolod City for a three-day workshop of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OBPF) General Assembly at the L’ Fisher Hotel that ends today.
The event is the first after more than two decades, the last being held in Manila.
OPBF president Juan Ramon Guanzon, chairman of the Philippines’
Games and Amusement Board, said the gathering of boxing officials intends to strengthen boxing.
“We are all here because of our passion in this sport. And one of the goals of this assembly is for us come up with ideas how to help boxing – particularly the boxers, manager and promoters,” he said.
Concerns which were taken up were the OPBF championships and ratings, sanctioning procedures by OPBF, review of OPBF rules, medical requirements as well as referees and judges issues.
Among those present were vice president-ex officio Li Kun (China), Major Lee Won Bok (South Korea), Hubert Minn (Hawaii), Dr. Xiong Peng (China), Dr. Nasser Cruz, GAB Commissioner Matthew Gaston.
Veteran referee Bruce McTavish discussed referee ethics and on how serious their profession is.
“Your job is to concentrate on the fight. Every match, the fighter’s life is on the line,” he said, adding that being the third man on the ring, they should also consider every bout as a learning factor that will further improve their skills.
World Boxing Council (WBC) and North American Boxing Federation (NABF) Ring Officials Chairman Hubert Minn introduced Judging Boxing 101 that focused on integrity and credibility as an arbiter.
“We should call the fight the way it is and keep yourself isolated; the fighters are the center of attraction,” Minn said.
He also quoted famed basketball coach John Wooden: “Do not mistake activity for achievement,” and for judges to observe, select and evaluate, and translate.
Moreover, Minn conveyed the 3D Judges Scoring Theory that concentrates on Damage, Dominance and Disruption, or the power, number of punches and accuracy a boxer lands on his opponent.