Claude Abrams?

[oliverfennell]

the guys predictions were somethin else at times!!

Only because he always picked the favorites

That's what I always noticed, too!

Well, not bashing the guy. He was excellent in most regards and he did indeed read fights very well, approaching his predictions from several angles, but it's easy to get a high strike rate when you ALWAYS back the favourite. I honestly can't remember a time he correctly picked a significant upset.

But good luck to him. Surprising news, but fair dos for putting family first. Too many people put careers first and they don't have a job that they absolutely love and that many people would give a left nut for!

Tris should be a good replacement, although I would have assumed Danny Herbert would be next, as he is so time-served and already Assistant Editor. But it will be interesting to see which direction the magazine is steered under a young boss. Good luck all.

[The Law]

A true gent and an asset to the sport. I wish him all the best for the future and I hope that he still attends the odd show

[el_grande_mauro_mina]

Claude Abrams was a very good writer but BN went from an anoraks paper to something more mainstream - I missed the fight reports from Australia (who were always penned by Billy Mordley) that made way for crap like Michael Owens boxing career It went the way to generating more copies being sold which is I suppose the name of the game but I did stop buying it around 2001 - I felt quality and what the paper was about had gone. A shame.

Tris Dixon is a really good writer and I always enjoy his reports - I am hoping he steers the paper back to what it was and cater for that readership. Heres hoping.

And good luck to Claude and his family for the future. I remember reading that editing BN was his schoolboy dream - well he achieved that with aplomb - not many of can say the same about our schoolboy dreams. (well apart from me whose schoolboy ambition was to have sex with a woman! )

[telboy66]

And too much Frank's boy, never even hinting at any criticism of his fight bills and endless WBU/WBO mismatches, he started off working for Frank, and never seemed to shake it off.

Unfortunately I have to agree with this. In his role he was the torch-bearer for boxing fans and the reality is that he bottled it on this particular issue on numerous occasions.

I can't agree with that at all he had his run in's with Warren over the years & generally kept B/N honest & unbiased he will be missed, Tris seems the right guy to take up the baton

[deadpan]

I liked him a lot as a pundit. He was a calm and articulate foil for Bunce's shouting tomato ADHD hyperbole.

[Deserter]

And too much Frank's boy, never even hinting at any criticism of his fight bills and endless WBU/WBO mismatches, he started off working for Frank, and never seemed to shake it off.

Unfortunately I have to agree with this. In his role he was the torch-bearer for boxing fans and the reality is that he bottled it on this particular issue on numerous occasions.

I can't agree with that at all he had his run in's with Warren over the years & generally kept B/N honest & unbiased he will be missed, Tris seems the right guy to take up the baton

Sorry, but I completely disagree with you. He's stood up to Warren on a couple of occasions over the past decade and those stand out purely because they represented the exception to the rule. There were plenty of other occasions where the pressing issues were ducked.
I should add that having read his editorial piece in this week's edition he comes across well, and I've defended other aspects of his reign against the likes of Bennie, but his positive achievements shouldn't over-shadow his shortcomings.

[McCannW14]

Claude has been a massive part of Boxing News & a great asset to the publication! For me, he's one of the very finest Boxing writers out there, maybe THE finest atm. Like Abrams said himself, all good things do come to an end, but I am some-what sad he has stepped down!

Claude has always had strong enthusiasm for the sport, for his job & for Boxing News! Taking this into consideration & the fact that he has earned his living by performing a job he loves, big respect must go out to Claude! Its similar to boxer retiring while he is at the peak of his powers.

My brother phoned me earlier today & told me Claude has stepped down! I was quite surprised, even a bit shocked, but if Claude feels its time to move on, then I wish nothing but the very best! I hope he get the quality time he has been looking for with his family.

One thing from this stands out: Claude will not be covering Mayweather vs Pacquiao!

I phoned you Friday and I still cant beleive it.


Ive been reading BN for 25 years and it wont be the same for me anymore.

Claude Abrams was the best analyst of Boxing I have ever come across.

All the best Claude.

[Spud]

A very good editor of an excellent publication.

A boxing man through and through - loved some of the spats with a certain promotional company.

[telboy66]

Deserter you are just as entitled to your opinion as I am but tell me do you read the B/N for boxing reports & previews or for screeds of argument between The editor & a promoter I know what I prefer
, I think on the whole Claude handled the occasional argument with calm reasoning.I wish him success in whatever he undertakes & hope to see him at the occasional fight even if he has to buy his own ticket

[martinmrts]

.....Bunce's shouting tomato.....

[Deserter]

Deserter you are just as entitled to your opinion as I am but tell me do you read the B/N for boxing reports & previews or for screeds of argument between The editor & a promoter I know what I prefer
, I think on the whole Claude handled the occasional argument with calm reasoning.I wish him success in whatever he undertakes & hope to see him at the occasional fight even if he has to buy his own ticket

Telboy, thanks for the response. Of course i enjoy the reports, but I also expect the publication to act as the 'voice' of the fans and represent their interests, so despite his undoubted strengths in certain areas and a clear passion for the game, I do strongly feel that Claude failed in his responsibilities in this regard as he clearly ducked a number of important issues during his tenure (and not just Warren-related).
I'll take the liberty of reprinting an earlier post that sums up the matter for me (it was in relation to a Khan PPV):

"All the best publications, regardless of their subject matter, passionately care about their readers and campaign on their behalf. But BN doesn't even have the bottle to pass comment on it - to my mind, therefore, there is no other word for it but disgrace. Claude has failed in his no. 1 obligation - to look after BN's readers and represent their interests.
Why did you quiz Bruno on the drugs use? Public interest is the answer. Are you seriously saying, therefore, that this PPV fiasco is not a matter of public interest and so wasn't worthy of comment?
As for the Warren interview, there was no balance.. his PR couldn't have penned it any better. I'm all for hearing his point of view and even lauding the positives of his contribution to the sport, but to gloss over those areas where he's been subject to criticism is indefensible. Again, can you honestly say that the questions asked were those your readers would have wanted? If not, you've failed them again.
And finally, with regards to integrity, I'm aiming that squarely at the editor rather than the rest of you as it's ultimately his responsibility. He's rolled over on these issues, and it's not the first time, so again, unfortunately I feel justified in regarding him as lacking in integrity."
I

[Old bones Ian]

I think Britain is blessed with having so many good writers , BN has always been the best boxing publication out there.

Best of luck to Claude for the future.

[steve689]

Good luck Claude.

Some of the posts here are like an obituary column!

[teddy007]

I think Britain is blessed with having so many good writers , BN has always been the best boxing publication out there.

Best of luck to Claude for the future.

X2 it is leagues above everyother boxing magazine.

[telboy66]

Deserter you are just as entitled to your opinion as I am but tell me do you read the B/N for boxing reports & previews or for screeds of argument between The editor & a promoter I know what I prefer
, I think on the whole Claude handled the occasional argument with calm reasoning.I wish him success in whatever he undertakes & hope to see him at the occasional fight even if he has to buy his own ticket

Telboy, thanks for the response. Of course i enjoy the reports, but I also expect the publication to act as the 'voice' of the fans and represent their interests, so despite his undoubted strengths in certain areas and a clear passion for the game, I do strongly feel that Claude failed in his responsibilities in this regard as he clearly ducked a number of important issues during his tenure (and not just Warren-related).
I'll take the liberty of reprinting an earlier post that sums up the matter for me (it was in relation to a Khan PPV):

"All the best publications, regardless of their subject matter, passionately care about their readers and campaign on their behalf. But BN doesn't even have the bottle to pass comment on it - to my mind, therefore, there is no other word for it but disgrace. Claude has failed in his no. 1 obligation - to look after BN's readers and represent their interests.
Why did you quiz Bruno on the drugs use? Public interest is the answer. Are you seriously saying, therefore, that this PPV fiasco is not a matter of public interest and so wasn't worthy of comment?
As for the Warren interview, there was no balance.. his PR couldn't have penned it any better. I'm all for hearing his point of view and even lauding the positives of his contribution to the sport, but to gloss over those areas where he's been subject to criticism is indefensible. Again, can you honestly say that the questions asked were those your readers would have wanted? If not, you've failed them again.
And finally, with regards to integrity, I'm aiming that squarely at the editor rather than the rest of you as it's ultimately his responsibility. He's rolled over on these issues, and it's not the first time, so again, unfortunately I feel justified in regarding him as lacking in integrity."
I

Was this an earlier post of your own or someone else's opinion for as you can see from the other posts on this subject the majority would seem to be more than happy with the way Claude has run the ship myself included

[harrygreb]

bob mee writes glyn leach off the table IMHO.

wasnt there an occasion when, due to a spat with FW, claudes ticket for the next FW promo placed him directly behind a large, view obscuring pillar?

[Hagler2002]

bob mee writes glyn leach off the table IMHO.

wasnt there an occasion when, due to a spat with FW, claudes ticket for the next FW promo placed him directly behind a large, view obscuring pillar?

There was also problems with access to a recent show in Belfast.

[rhino222]

good luck claude, whatever you decide to do..

is claude ill, certainly lost a lot of weight and looked gaunt compared to about 2003

[Rocky Balboa]

good luck claude, whatever you decide to do..

is claude ill, certainly lost a lot of weight and looked gaunt compared to about 2003

I hope not!

[boxer70]

Best of luck to Claude.

Interested to read that he mentioned the fight between Rocky Kelly and Tony Brown as one of his favourites, that's a fight that i have never forgotten. It was also screened live on ITV on a Saturday afternoon...Great stuff.

He had a hard act to follow in Harry Mullan and now Tris Dixon has a hard act to follow Claude.

Best of luck to both of them.

[DavidPayne]

Claude is a raw vegan according Steve Bunce hence the drawn appearance.

A thoroughly decent fellow, as always, a new opportunity arises for the publication but I hope it doesn't slip further from its editorial integrity of 20 years ago.

[rhino222]

Claude is a raw vegan according Steve Bunce hence the drawn appearance.

A thoroughly decent fellow, as always, a new opportunity arises for the publication but I hope it doesn't slip further from its editorial integrity of 20 years ago.

so itsobviously very healthy then .....

[Counter-puncher]

He was a calm and articulate foil for Bunce's shouting tomato ADHD hyperbole.

well bowled sir

[SticknMove]

Wish the guy well - it is notable that he appears to have loss weight and has looked a bit haggard of late.

I hope there isn't anything in that and he enjoys time with his family.

[Captain Hook]

Good luck Claude, and well done to Tris....

Enjoyed the piece in BN, some nice memories