Matt Christie, Boxing News Editor
Whether you’re sitting ringside at a world heavyweight title fight, lost in a musty archive, interviewing a real-life superhero, or arguing with a promoter, check out Boxing News. Working there was a great privilege.
It is with great sadness that I write today that this is my last issue as editor. And the process of writing this last column for my beloved girlfriend BN has been incredibly difficult. Even with the benefit of consideration, it’s still akin to suddenly being handed a microphone in front of a full, expectant room. I just can’t find the right words, but they’re all here somewhere, fighting to be heard.
I have loved everything about Boxing News since its inception 115 years ago. And I truly believe we need it today for much the same reasons we did then. With that in mind, it was tough to say goodbye and why it was time for me to leave. I wish the people currently sitting in the driver’s seat all the best in their future endeavors.
Contributing to BN and becoming its editor was a childhood dream come true. The shy 10-year-old boy who spent all his spare time creating his own version of a boxing magazine in his A4 notebook would have wondered what became of him. . I’m very proud of that. But to say he loved every minute of his job would be a bit of an understatement.
I have always believed that BN’s role in this sport is important. It is a voice that shouts about boxing’s great victories and a conscience that points out the difference between right and wrong. While I may have taken it too literally during my time as Chair, I have no regrets about trying to make a difference. While doing everything I can to defend the sport, highlighting the bad and relentlessly seeking improvement, it has sometimes taken its toll. Especially when the value of this position has never been more evident.
It is my belief that boxing, the most noble and exciting of all sports, has all the ingredients necessary to be second only to soccer in the hierarchy of sports. Broken down to its simplest form, the key is for power brokers to work together with that goal in mind, and in that regard his outlook for 2024 is brighter than ever. . As with everything in life, complete satisfaction never exists. We all know that cheating has always been a part of boxing. He must always be part of the fabric of BN to demonstrate what a great sport boxing is, while also challenging boxing’s ingrained conventions for the greater good.
Some may accuse me of being too negative, but when I look back at what we accomplished during my time as editor, the tremendous steps we took, and the battles we fought. , I’m sure the wise ones will understand why. Several pages of mere criticism were published in his 48-page magazine. What I quickly realized was that even though we may not always be preaching to hundreds of thousands of people, nearly everyone who can make a difference reads boxing news.
Having been close to this publication for a lifetime, speaking regularly with our subscribers, studying their online habits, and being acutely aware of the sport’s reputation in the real world, we know that our most acclaimed articles are written from the heart. I found out that this is a great article. Additionally, in these challenging times for publishing, I have always supported respected magazines that have continued to thrive by staying true to their beliefs, magazines with unique stories to tell through thoughtful prose, and above all , we have sought to draw inspiration from our innate ability to care for those we publish with. Please pay to read it. So we’re confident that the campaigns we launch and the stories you remember will dare to make a difference. The true heart of good writing, or content creation, is work that makes you stop and think. My priority is always you, my loyal consumer, and no one else.
The greatest joy is when boxing goes well, and it often goes well. Watching a match that will be remembered forever from ringside and watching an impossible story take shape before your eyes is an exhilarating feeling like no other. And what an honor it was to witness them. Every time I sit ringside or be with the fighters, I am reminded of the 10-year-old boy I once was. We cannot express our gratitude enough for the efforts of all boxers, old and new.
Sorting out the issues surrounding important matches will require addressing issues such as failed drug tests, fatal accidents, distortions and discrepancies in rankings, large amounts of drug money laundered through boxing, and the plight of ignored ex-boxers. It was immeasurably more fun than not. Unfortunately, a great many misdemeanors occurred during my time as editor, but I think we addressed them all as BN should. I want only what is best for this sport and its fighters, and as a result, we have worked tirelessly to make every issue as heartfelt as possible. I miss that feeling of turning in a page late on a Tuesday, admiring the cover, and knowing I made it again.
Not all covers will satisfy everyone. I realized this early on when Eddie Hearn made the front page, nodding to the rising rates and costs of pay-per-view in British boxing. I felt that was an important issue to address. I had no idea that Frank Warren, who was promoting the domestic bill that weekend, would be pissed that he put a rival promoter on the cover instead. Please make fun of me more. It provided an early lesson in the complexity of the role.
In other words, if John Murray, who founded BN in 1909 with the mission statement “boxing”, were to become editor. [News] It represents good, clean sport” – you’ll approve, but be prepared for endless headaches. While those around you fight for attention, find offense where they’re not meant to, find holes in honest opinions, and belittle new ideas, your indifference to noise and criticism is your He is my biggest ally.
So does the team around you. Thank you to Nick Bond, Elliot Worcel, John Dennen, Paul Wheeler, George Gigney, Oliver Fennell, Sean Brown and everyone who believed in me. Evidence of the team’s work ethic and journalistic excellence is that in six years he won seven British Sports Journalism Awards and in his four years BN was the primary vehicle for the Boxing Writers Association of America Awards. It’s an award. Also on display are works by great boxing writers, including Don McRae, Thomas Hauser, Steve Vance, Nigel Collins, Springs Toledo, Carlos Acevedo, and the late Alan Hubbard and Ron Lewis. It was also an honor to build relationships with big names. I think Alex Steedman and Darren Rees have always been, and continue to be, a pleasure to work with. It’s also great to be able to regularly publish the work of up-and-coming talent for the first time.
A big thank you to all our contributors for their support and hard work, especially Andy Whittle who goes above and beyond every weekend. I had the pleasure of spending a few months as Declan Taylor’s colleague after he had been publishing his freelance work for 10 years. Special mention goes to Declan Warrington and Matt Bossito, and in America Jack Hirsch, who was always an enlightening conversationalist, also helped me a lot. And of course, I’m really grateful to Tris Dixon for giving me the chance in the first place, for his unconditional support and guidance. There are so many people in this industry who will always hold a special place in my heart: boxers, trainers, writers, broadcasters, commissioners, promoters. I believe you know who you are.
Finally, thank you to all our trustworthy readers for an unforgettable drive. It was an honor to be of help. I can already picture myself as a barely sane old man telling anyone who will listen that I was once the editor of the greatest publication on the planet. The hope is that BN, and by extension the fearless journalism within it, will live quite a long time.
