Thomas Nissen, promoter of “Boxen im Norden”, on the increased relevance of the World Boxing Federation (WBF).
The World Boxing Federation (WBF) is a recognized world boxing association that organizes official professional boxing title fights – including the WBF World Championships, which are awarded in numerous weight classes. The association is affiliated to the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) and is therefore subject to the same regulations as the four established world associations WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO. The WBF is also expressly committed to the Ali Act, which protects the rights and safety of boxers.
History and reconstruction
The WBF was founded in 1988 by the US American Larry Carrier. After being dissolved in 2004, the association was re-established in 2009, this time as a non-profit organization based in Niederkorn, Luxembourg. Since then, the WBF has repositioned itself with clear structures and an ambitious sporting focus.
Howard Goldberg and Christian Rösen, who is now Managing Director, played a key role in the rebuilding process. Jean-Marcel Nartz, a formative figure in German professional boxing who was active as Vice President of the WBF from 2010 to 2019, also played a special role.
Prominent title holders and sporting relevance
The WBF can look back on a remarkable list of title holders. Names such as Evander Holyfield, Roy Jones Jr, Francois Botha, Johnny Nelson, Christina Hammer and Arnold Gjergjaj speak for the sporting quality and international reach of the federation. The US ex-professional and current trainer John Scully and the former world championship challenger Dimitry Salita are also among the well-known athletes with WBF titles.
WBF among the top 5: Facts and figures prove the rise
The WBF has undergone impressive development in recent years. With over 80 officially recognized title fights a year, it is now one of the most active boxing federations in the world. The high frequency of events – combined with professional organization – has earned the WBF international recognition.
A further indication of the growing influence is the continuous presence of WBF title fights on BoxRec, the world’s largest independent boxing database. WBF fights are listed there on a par with those of the other major federations – a clear sign of their sporting relevance.
As a result of these developments, the WBF has been unofficially but increasingly recognized as the fifth major world federation alongside the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO since 2024 – and has overtaken the International Boxing Organization (IBO) in many areas: in the number of fights, media visibility and international anchoring.
An association with history, substance and a future
From a fresh start, the World Boxing Federation has consistently worked its way back to the top of world boxing. Its integration into the ABC structures, its clear commitment to the Ali Act and the large number of high-quality fights underline its professionalism. Thanks to its strong leadership, prominent title holders and high level of activity at global level, the WBF is now more than just a traditional federation – it is an integral part of the international boxing elite.
Text by Thomas Nissen