The NABF: One of the most important boxing federations

In 1968, under the leadership of Jim Deskin of Nevada and WBC President for Life, José Sulaimán, one of the most important boxing federations was founded, sanctioning championships for Canada, the United States, and Mexico: the NABF (North American Boxing Federation).

The creation of the NABF was intended to benefit boxing throughout North America, and hard work was done to develop this great regional federation into what it is today, one of the most important ever to exist in professional boxing.

The first NABF champion was Leotis Martin, who defeated Sonny Liston on June 12, 1969, with a devastating punch that ended the fight in round 9.

Presidents of the NABF include Bill Houston, Jim Deskin, Jose Sulaiman, Jimmy Rondeau, Robert Shields, Bob Turley, Bob Busse, Jack Davis, Jean-Guy Prescott, Bobby Lee, Sam Macias, Dick Cole, Mario Latraverse, Claude Jackson, Rex Walker, Joe Dwyer, Duane Ford, and the recently elected first female president, Joanna Aguilar.

Among the best that the NABF has known as champions, we can point out people of enormous hierarchy such as: Muhammad Ali, Marco Antonio Barrera, Paulie Ayala, Lucien Bute, Macho Camacho, Donald Curry, George Foreman, Vernon Forrest, Ray Mancini, Terry Norris, Erik Morales, Ken Norton, Michael Nunn, Kelly Pavlik, Pernell Whitaker, Daniel Zaragoza, Brian Viloria, Nonito Donaire, Antonio Tarver, Canelo Alvarez, Andy Ruiz Jr., Francisco Vargas, Oscar Valdez, Carlos Cuadras, Jessie Vargas, Chad Dawson, Robert Guerrero, Juan LaPorte, Jesse James Leija, Sugar Ray Leonard, Brian Viloria, Pernell Whittaker, Ronald “Winky” Wright, among others.