World Boxing Federation

The World Boxing Federation was originally established in 1988 by Larry Carrier, who was part owner of Bristol Motor Speedway in northeastern Tennessee.Irish Boxing Review, 2012 Edition, publisher: Lulu.com, published: 2012{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2011| title =Irish boxing: The sanctioning bodies' latest battleground | publisher=Irish-Boxing.com|url=https://www.irish-boxing.com/irish-boxing-the-sanctioning-bodies%E2%80%99-latest-battleground/| access-date = 12 April 2023}}{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2005| title =Bristol prez calls Carrier leader in racing industry | publisher=ESPN|url=https://www.espn.com/racing/news/story?series=wc&id=2079283| access-date = 12 April 2023}} It was an expanded version of the American Pro Boxing Association.{{Citation| last =Lane| first =Bill| year =1990| title =Carrier going worldwide with boxing| publisher=Kingsport Times-News| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/594767356/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}} The original concept for the WBF was written on the back of a napkin as an alternative for boxing as Carrier felt there was a lack of vision in boxing. The WBF wanted to give overlooked fighters a chance and wanted to be a more affordable sanctioning body for aspiring promoters by only charging a $5,000 sanctioning fee.{{Citation| last =Lloyd| first =Leslie| year =1992| title =Former champ quit boxing but he's not out of the ring| publisher=Kingsport Times-News| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/595083298/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}}{{Citation| last =Scalf| first =Ron| year =1995| title =Bristol-based WBF brings boxing to fans worldwide| publisher=Johnson City Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/593000757/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}} The WBF also sought to promote itself in an honest manner and help the sport. The promotion signed their first title fight in November 1990, when they organized a cruiserweight bout between Rickey Patkey and Joe Louis for December 7, 1990.{{Citation| last =Lane| first =Bill| year =1990| title =WBF readies for inaugural event| publisher=Kingsport Times-News| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/594769566/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}}{{Citation| last =| first =| year =1990| title =Parkey tops WBF's first title fight| publisher=Johnson City Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/591089160/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}} The WBF's titles were not initially recognized by the British Boxing Board of Control and had to wait until 1995 to achieve recognition.A Social History of Sheffield Boxing, Volume II, publisher: Springer International Publishing, url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Social_History_of_Sheffield_Boxing_Vol/9h8SEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&bsq=%22wbf%22, published: 2021 The company had 17 field offices outside of the US by 1995{{Citation| last =| first =| year =1995| title =Carrier to fight at Freedom Hall| publisher=Johnson City Press | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/593001251/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}} and the company moved its headquarters to Las Vegas prior to 1998.{{Citation| last =| first =| year =1998| title =World Boxing Federation| publisher=Johnson City Press| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/592085501/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}} Larry Carrier sold the WBF to Ron Scalf in June 1998.{{Citation| last =Avento| first =Joe| year =1998| title =Golf Notes| publisher=Kingsport Times-News| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/592098247/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}}{{Citation| last =| first =| year =1998| title =WBF founder sells federation to Scalf| publisher=Johnson City Press | url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/592098103/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}} The organization closed in 2004 after losing a lawsuit{{Citation| last =Mee| first =Bob| year =2003| title =Boxing: WBF given a change of title | publisher=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/boxing/2405338/Boxing-WBF-given-a-change-of-title.html| access-date = 12 April 2023}} and was revived in 2009.{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2014| title =Uncovering the World Boxing Federation| publisher=fox News |url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/uncovering-the-world-boxing-federation| access-date = 12 April 2023}} In 2022, the promotion announced that they would no longer sanction title fights with boxers with negative records in an effort to raise standards.{{Citation| last =Magasela| first =Bongani| year =2022| title =

No more rubbish fights featuring the WBF – Goldberg| publisher=Sowetan Live|url=https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/sport/boxing/2022-02-08-no-more-rubbish-fights-featuring-the-wbf-goldberg/| access-date = 12 April 2023}}

The organization has sanctioned matches on 6 of the 7 continents.{{Citation| last =| first =| year =2023| title =Title Results | publisher=Boxrec|url=https://boxrec.com/en/titles?t%5Bbout_title%5D=233&t%5Bdivision%5D=results&t_go=| access-date = 12 April 2023}} The organization has three levels of champions including World champions, Intercontinental champions and International champions. The organization also sanctions women's boxing matches. The promotion also monitors its judges closely and feels integrity is its greatest asset.{{Citation| last =Glover| first =Chris| year =2019| title =Looking At The World Boxing Federation| publisher= NY Fights| url=https://nyfights.com/worldwide/looking-at-the-world-boxing-federation/| access-date = 12 April 2023}}

The promotion also had their own magazine called, "Inside Boxing with the WBF".{{Citation| last =| first =| year =1991| title =Boxing group takes off| publisher=Johnson City Press|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/591161600/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}}

As of {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}} (men):

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• Evander Holyfield, former Heavyweight champion
• Francois Botha, former Heavyweight champion
• Jimmy Thunder, former Heavyweight champion
• Johnny Nelson, former Heavyweight champion
• Adílson Rodrigues, former Heavyweight champion{{Citation| last =| first =| year =1995| title =Dundee's stable: the Broward boxers| publisher=The Miami Herald|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/639633297/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22&match=1| access-date = 12 April 2023}}
• Bert Cooper, former Heavyweight champion
• Mike Bernardo, former Heavyweight champion
• Roy Jones Jr., former Light Heavyweight champion{{Citation| last =Dominitz| first =Nathan| year =2001| title =Jones gets more gold hardware| publisher= Pensacola News Journal| url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/268676401/?terms=%22world%20boxing%20federation%22%20Larry%20Carrier| access-date = 12 April 2023}}
• Robin Reid, former Super Middleweight champion
• Carl Daniels, former Middlweight champion
• Juan Lazcano, former Lightweight champion
• Dimitry Salita, former Super Light champion
• Samson Dutch Boy Gym, former Junior Bantamweight champion
• Jesús Chong, former Junior Flyweight champion

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• List of boxing organisations

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|http://www.worldboxingfederation.org/index.htm}}

{{World boxing champions}}

Category:International organisations based in Luxembourg City

Category:Professional boxing governing bodies

Category:International sports organizations

Category:Sports organizations established in 1988