The Fight To Ireland – WBF Gaelic/Celtic Championship Inaugural North American Event Announced
The World Boxing Federation has announced “The FIGHT to IRELAND” to support their newly created regional European title, the new WBF Gaelic/Celtic Championships
The FIGHT to IRELAND is a direct road to IRELAND, now American Professional Fighters can compete to earn the right to represent North America in the World Boxing Federation Gaelic/Celtic Championships.
The Fight to Ireland w ill be promoted nationally by Alex Beadle, President of the Georgia Boxing Association. Mr. Beadle stated “this is a great opportunity for Irish American/ Celtic fighters to compete to fight in their home country.
Irish American fighters have contributed greatly toward early American boxing history and we (fighters and fight fans) are forever grateful.
It is an honor to promote a title that embraces the heritage of some of the most feared fighters in history.
It is our goal to finale The Fight to Ireland each year on St. Patrick’s Day. We believe Irish and boxing goes hand and glove, unless you ask the late great Irish bare knuckle champion Dan Donnelly who probably would say he could do without the gloves”.
On behalf of myself WBF North American Coordinator Alan Santana, WBF President Howard Goldberg, WBF Irish Republic Representative David Walshe, WBF European Coordinator Olaf Schroeder and The World Boxing Federation welcomes Mr. Beadle and his team to build our WBF Gaelic/Celtic Championships here in North America.
The first fight is scheduled to begin March 17th St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, GA. The WBF Gaelic/Celtic Championships is open to the six original Celtic nations are Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man, however Gaelic people also have roots in parts of Spain, Portugal, France and Nova Scotia.
Credit for the creation of these championships goes to new WBF Irish Republic Representative David Walshe, who reasons: “The criteria to qualify for an Irish title restricts many non-Irish-based boxers the opportunity to fight for what is seen in their eyes as a very important title because of their Irish lineage.
The WBF Gaelic Celtic Championships, however, includes hundreds of boxers all over the world and gives them a chance to box for an Irish-connected title.”
EVENT SUMMARY
The Fight to Ireland begins with the World Boxing Federation’s inaugural Gaelic /Celtic Title. This title is offered to the six original Celtic nations Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany and the Isle of Man. Regardless of citizenship American boxers with Celtic heritage is the mark for eligibility to fight for this prestigious World Title.
The World Boxing Federation has approved the winner of this fight an ANNUAL guaranteed title fight in Ireland. Ireland has been the origin of boxing for some of the most feared fighters’ in history.
With Ireland’s deep rooted boxing heritage and North America’s National celebration of St.Patrick’s Day, we believe this to be an excellent opportunity to promote the FIGHT to IRELAND in front of millions of spectators looking to embrace a true Irish-American past time.
The FIGHT to IRELAND’s global vision is to have the best Celtic/American fighter become the State Parade Champion then represent America and his great family name in the biggest fight in Ireland. To achieve this, we embrace sponsors’ willing to have their products and services, showcased and associated with the professional global boxing.
The Debut FIGHT to IRELAND will be fought on St.Patrick’s Day in Savannah Georgia.The city of Savannah host the second largest St.Patrick’s Day celebration outside of Ireland. This event draws approximately 600,000 spectators and national media coverage. The FIGHT to IRELAND will be interwined inside the national coverage of the St. Patrick’s Day parade equipped with a “GBA fight float” with a pre-negotiated position behind the world famous Budweiser Clydesdales horses. The live event will be covered by FoxSouth seen in 10 million homes in over 7 states.
The WBF In 2011 – Growing And Growing Fast
After already having a tremendous 2010, again the only way was up for the World Boxing Federation in 2011, easily surpassing the previous years’ numbers and setting a new record in terms of championship fights.
This is especially remarkable in view of the WBF policy to keep the number of different titles to a minimum as opposed to some ‘colorful’ titles created by other sanctioning bodies.
In 2011, the WBF sanctioned a total of 40 championship bouts, which amounts to a 15% growth rate from the previous year.
These 40 fights for WBF titles took place in 15 different countries, namely Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Mexico, Poland, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea and the USA.
With these statistics, the World Boxing Federation now is firmly on the fast track to establish itself as the most serious contender to challenge the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO.
“We bring sanity back into boxing by not bringing in ridiculous and meaningless titles which no fan really wants or having regional titles with ineligible fighters competing for it, simply to earn a sanction fee,” explains WBF President Howard Goldberg of South Africa, further saying “Plus, we try to eliminate officials who only serve the benefits of promoters. We want honest, honorable officials with integrity and that is exactly what we have at this time.”
The highly qualified staff of the World Boxing Federation grew during 2011 parallel to the growth of the championship activity and noteworthy additions in the past year included Alan Santana of California (North American Coordinator), Torben Seemann Hansen of Denmark (Executive Committee Chairman), Gianluca Di Caro of England (Marketing Director), as well as David Walshe of Ireland (Irish Republic Representative) and Dan Hernandez of New Mexico (North American Media Coordinator).
Also, 2011 saw the WBF embracing facebook and twitter as well as launching its own merchandise clothing line. More is in store for 2012 with the next WBF World Convention firmly in the pipeline, the Gaelic/Celtic championships designed to give an impetus for boxer worldwide from these heritages, and further countries lining up to start promoting WBF championships.
“We know it is a long road ahead of us, but we are ready for the journey, well equipped and will never stop improving. I promise 2012 will be even more of a success for the WBF,” says Goldberg.
