I like Tony Bellew but...

[Scottrf]

i dont recall seeing claude anywhere near as much as tris. you are wrong about any editor being mad to not take that opportunity. sky are selling a product, they are not impartial. look at the studio "debates" nothing more that promotional fluff. i can accept that for what it is because they are trying to boost their revenue, but it is damaging for the editor of Boxing News, our trade paper, to be in bed with them.

maybe you are right and it doesnt effect his writing, but the suspicion will always be there. if you told it how it was on sky, they wouldnt invite you back.

I saw Claude quite often at one point at Setanta from memory.

How is it damaging if they still speak their mind? I can agree if they came on to tow party lines, or simply to hype an event. But I don't see a problem with an editor appearing on TV to talk about boxing.

[dbflex]

i dont recall seeing claude anywhere near as much as tris. you are wrong about any editor being mad to not take that opportunity. sky are selling a product, they are not impartial. look at the studio "debates" nothing more that promotional fluff. i can accept that for what it is because they are trying to boost their revenue, but it is damaging for the editor of Boxing News, our trade paper, to be in bed with them.

maybe you are right and it doesnt effect his writing, but the suspicion will always be there. if you told it how it was on sky, they wouldnt invite you back.

I saw Claude quite often at one point at Setanta from memory.

How is it damaging if they still speak their mind? I can agree if they came on to tow party lines, or simply to hype an event. But I don't see a problem with an editor appearing on TV to talk about boxing.

Exactly, and saying an editor should turn down such a golden marketing opportunity is naive. We are operating in a niche market where any new reader a magazine can attract is worthwhile. Appearing on a show as the BN Editor does not constitute 'going into bed' with anyone – the editor would appear on BBC, ITV and any other interested broadcaster in order to promote the magazine. It just so happens that Sky are the only broadcaster currently showing a committed and enduring interest in the sport.

[subsy]

Back to the original topic, take my comments with a pinch of salt and free feel to tell me I'm talking out of my arse, as I haven't yet had chance to read said article, but general opinion here seems to be that it focused heavily on the family stuff and how that motivates him - but really, how is that any different from most people with families? I'll re-assess after reading, but if that's the case I'll no doubt find it boring too.

Isn't Bomber a huge Toffee? Maybe could have touched on aspects like that; little insightful things about the man; stuff other than the cliched summary of 'i do it for my family' ?

[dbflex]

Back to the original topic, take my comments with a pinch of salt and free feel to tell me I'm talking out of my arse, as I haven't yet had chance to read said article, but general opinion here seems to be that it focused heavily on the family stuff and how that motivates him - but really, how is that any different from most people with families? I'll re-assess after reading, but if that's the case I'll no doubt find it boring too.

Isn't Bomber a huge Toffee? Maybe could have touched on aspects like that; little insightful things about the man; stuff other than the cliched summary of 'i do it for my family' ?

Read it first...

[Captain Hook]

Horses for courses, some people prefer that - which I thought was good - and some prefered the style of my article, which was a bit more about Cleverly and McKenzie, made daft references to the Sopranos and included quotes about Nick Cotton etc.

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/clever ... ony-bellew

It went down well with our readers, or at least the majority though it was ok.

To be honest at least guys like Tony Bellew are getting exposure. A solid, British fighter who is really not known outside of the UK. People will be able to read about him online and on sites like this and in articles by BN and BM.

I did this one in my own time for no money (woe is me! I enjoyed chatting to him, he's a great guy) and Boxing News - as DBFlex mentioned - are four people hammering out the trade paper every week on limited resources for the love of the sport and because they have a solid, core readership which keeps them in business.

Feel free to give constructive criticism, I'm sure they welcome it, and they need you to buy it....to keep that core support strong. They need the die-hards.

But let's remember these guys are not getting paid megabucks....I've not seen their wage packets but I bet they could probably pick up treble the amount they make sat scratching their arses for a London PR firm sending out press releases about the fact people in Scotland are more likely to eat brown bread than those in the West Midlands, and believe me we get shite like that sent to our newspaper on a weekly basis.

They do a good job under difficult circumstances - has life ever been harder for print publishers? Not in my 12 years in the game it hasn't.

What I'm trying to say is that we should get behind them, and the guys like Ian in charge at Boxrec. Give them your feedback and remember there are not many reporters/writers who take the time to engage with their audience the way Flexen has done on here.

They care.

[dbflex]

Horses for courses, some people prefer that - which I thought was good - and some prefered the style of my article, which was a bit more about Cleverly and McKenzie, made daft references to the Sopranos and included quotes about Nick Cotton etc.

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/clever ... ony-bellew

It went down well with our readers, or at least the majority though it was ok.

To be honest at least guys like Tony Bellew are getting exposure. A solid, British fighter who is really not known outside of the UK. People will be able to read about him online and on sites like this and in articles by BN and BM.

I did this one in my own time for no money (woe is me! I enjoyed chatting to him, he's a great guy) and Boxing News - as DBFlex mentioned - are four people hammering out the trade paper every week on limited resources for the love of the sport and because they have a solid, core readership which keeps them in business.

Feel free to give constructive criticism, I'm sure they welcome it, and they need you to buy it....to keep that core support strong. They need the die-hards.

But let's remember these guys are not getting paid megabucks....I've not seen their wage packets but I bet they could probably pick up treble the amount they make sat scratching their arses for a London PR firm sending out press releases about the fact people in Scotland are more likely to eat brown bread than those in the West Midlands, and believe me we get shite like that sent to our newspaper on a weekly basis.

They do a good job under difficult circumstances - has life ever been harder for print publishers? Not in my 12 years in the game it hasn't.

What I'm trying to say is that we should get behind them, and the guys like Ian in charge at Boxrec. Give them your feedback and remember there are not many reporters/writers who take the time to engage with their audience the way Flexen has done on here.

They care.

Cracking post

[Captain Hook]

PS That link was wrong, and yes this is a shameless Boxrec plug (again)

Feck it, does you no harm to read it twice!

http://news.boxrec.com/news/2011/clever ... ony-bellew

[foxwoods]

Exactly, and saying an editor should turn down such a golden marketing opportunity is naive. We are operating in a niche market where any new reader a magazine can attract is worthwhile. Appearing on a show as the BN Editor does not constitute 'going into bed' with anyone – the editor would appear on BBC, ITV and any other interested broadcaster in order to promote the magazine. It just so happens that Sky are the only broadcaster currently showing a committed and enduring interest in the sport.

i've been reading Boxing Monthly years and i wouldn't know what the editor looks like if he stood next to me. i like that. i like the fact that he isnt a "personality" and that he can write from the heart, without fear or favour.

i can only speak for myself, but i thought the Haye fight report was damage limitation. after seeing the Boxing News editor on sky pumping up the fight beforehand, then actually picking haye to win it....it hardly does the magazine's credibility much good when he still tries to put an insanely positive spin on the whole thing afterwards. are they all connected? maybe, maybe not but it's easy to connect the dots if you want.

[dbflex]

Exactly, and saying an editor should turn down such a golden marketing opportunity is naive. We are operating in a niche market where any new reader a magazine can attract is worthwhile. Appearing on a show as the BN Editor does not constitute 'going into bed' with anyone – the editor would appear on BBC, ITV and any other interested broadcaster in order to promote the magazine. It just so happens that Sky are the only broadcaster currently showing a committed and enduring interest in the sport.

i've been reading Boxing Monthly years and i wouldn't know what the editor looks like if he stood next to me. i like that. i like the fact that he isnt a "personality" and that he can write from the heart, without fear or favour.

i can only speak for myself, but i thought the Haye fight report was damage limitation. after seeing the Boxing News editor on sky pumping up the fight beforehand, then actually picking haye to win it....it hardly does the magazine's credibility much good when he still tries to put an insanely positive spin on the whole thing afterwards. are they all connected? maybe, maybe not but it's easy to connect the dots if you want.

Easy if you are a cynic. Appearing on TV does not automatically stop you from writing from the heart without fear or favour. If Glyn chooses not to appear on TV that's his prerogative but BM being mentioned and/or advertised in depth on a programme watched by their target audience would not exactly harm the mag's sales would it?

[doctorboxing]

The Bellew article was well written but maybe a little too much like a wannabee novelist for my liking - metaphors about his scouse accent being like octupus' tentacles etc. don't really serve a purpose unless you are trying to pass an English exam at school.

No harm in putting an article like that into the mag once in a while for the people who like reading that sort of thing though, at least it has raised some debate. A lot of the features written by Danny have been the best thing about the mag so im all for him trying something different now and then to see if it works.

As for Tris being on TV - good on him, we need more informed people like him giving opinions on ringside etc. If BN folded due to lack of readers he would be criticised for not doing more - like getting on TV, using social media etc. - I'm glad to see he is doing all of that. What's wrong with the BN editor being on SKY to talk about the Haye fight and showing a bit of excitement? I could hardly sleep for days before it, I for one am glad Tris shows the same level of enthusiasm for the sport as the rest of the fans.

[foxwoods]

Although im not an expert i would think that what ultimately harms the sales of any magazine or newspaper is the integrity of the words in it.

maybe you should do a poll on whether readers thought the haye v klit fight report was an accurate representation of what happened. i didnt and i know other people didnt either. the last time i can remember that happening was when jack hirsch did the report for wlad v ibragimov....but this time seems worse because BN picked haye to win, seemed to desperately want him to win, and then smoothed it over when he didnt.

anyway, im begining to be like a dog with a bone...
im just one reader.

[Scottrf]

Although im not an expert i would think that what ultimately harms the sales of any magazine or newspaper is the integrity of the words in it.

maybe you should do a poll on whether readers thought the haye v klit fight report was an accurate representation of what happened. i didnt and i know other people didnt either. the last time i can remember that happening was when jack hirsch did the report for wlad v ibragimov....but this time seems worse because BN picked haye to win, seemed to desperately want him to win, and then smoothed it over when he didnt.

anyway, im begining to be like a dog with a bone...
im just one reader.

Although I don't believe there is anything wrong with it in principle, of course you are entitled to that opinion if you believe his appearances on Sky have influenced the opinions he holds. I have no evidence either way, I haven't read the reports (nothing against BN, but a weekly magazine isn't something I'm after).

[tonyevs]

Captain Hook - I was aiming no critism at you, honestly. To be honest, I had forgotten your article on Tony Bellew.
My point was that Danny Flexens feature was something different to what we'd expect from the Mersey-Mouth.
As said, i liked the article - it was a different dimension to Bellew.

Appols if I upset you though.

And good man Danny Flexen for taking the time - and effort - to try and answer our questions and gripes.

[MightyWarrior]

Showing your ignorance now... Claude appeared several times for both Sky and Setanta, almost certainly more than Tris has thus far.

That doesn't count for much, when you consider Claude let himself down, and BN, by his continual refusal to say anything remotely critical about sports network. Those shocking WBO defences by Calzaghe and Enzo were reported without negative comment, as were all those terrible WBU fights that Sky and SN foisted on the UK fans.

[orbtastic]

Showing your ignorance now... Claude appeared several times for both Sky and Setanta, almost certainly more than Tris has thus far.

That doesn't count for much, when you consider Claude let himself down, and BN, by his continual refusal to say anything remotely critical about sports network. Those shocking WBO defences by Calzaghe and Enzo were reported without negative comment, as were all those terrible WBU fights that Sky and SN foisted on the UK fans.

Eh? His comments led to SN banning him from attending their shows? To the point where they had a review of a card one week that basically said well we'd love to tell you what happened but we weren't allowed in.

[Captain Hook]

Captain Hook - I was aiming no critism at you, honestly. To be honest, I had forgotten your article on Tony Bellew.
My point was that Danny Flexens feature was something different to what we'd expect from the Mersey-Mouth.
As said, i liked the article - it was a different dimension to Bellew.

Appols if I upset you though.

And good man Danny Flexen for taking the time - and effort - to try and answer our questions and gripes.

Hey no, of course not Tony, it was tongue in cheek...

[MightyWarrior]

Eh? His comments led to SN banning him from attending their shows? To the point where they had a review of a card one week that basically said well we'd love to tell you what happened but we weren't allowed in.

And after that ? No more criticism. See the Joe v Manfredo / Enzo v Bobby Gunn bill for an example.

[dbflex]

Eh? His comments led to SN banning him from attending their shows? To the point where they had a review of a card one week that basically said well we'd love to tell you what happened but we weren't allowed in.

And after that ? No more criticism. See the Joe v Manfredo / Enzo v Bobby Gunn bill for an example.

After that, the same thing happened again when I slated a Warren undercard. Banned from Belfast and we only had a small report. Claude stood up for editorial integrity there too.

[tonyevs]

yes. Claude wouldn't upset fWank.
Remember the Calzaghe & SN episode that led to a certain promoter shutting shop & not paying what he owed?

Very big British Boxing news ..

BN gave it one paragraph ...

[dbflex]

yes. Claude wouldn't upset fWank.
Remember the Calzaghe & SN episode that led to a certain promoter shutting shop & not paying what he owed?

Very big British Boxing news ..

BN gave it one paragraph ...

Big difference between being scared of pissing someone off and the necessity of staying within the law.

[tonyevs]

yes. Claude wouldn't upset fWank.
Remember the Calzaghe & SN episode that led to a certain promoter shutting shop & not paying what he owed?

Very big British Boxing news ..

BN gave it one paragraph ...

Big difference between being scared of pissing someone off and the necessity of staying within the law.

Point taken. Calzaghe did win his case though. So the law seemed to be onside in this case.

[dbflex]

yes. Claude wouldn't upset fWank.
Remember the Calzaghe & SN episode that led to a certain promoter shutting shop & not paying what he owed?

Very big British Boxing news ..

BN gave it one paragraph ...

Big difference between being scared of pissing someone off and the necessity of staying within the law.

Point taken. Calzaghe did win his case though. So the law seemed to be onside in this case.

And the case was reported, but you were talking about expanding the story and to do that without erring into dangerous waters legally would not have been straightforward

[tonyevs]

Big difference between being scared of pissing someone off and the necessity of staying within the law.

Point taken. Calzaghe did win his case though. So the law seemed to be onside in this case.

And the case was reported, but you were talking about expanding the story and to do that without erring into dangerous waters legally would not have been straightforward

I can understand that I guess
That was my whinge with Claude anyways. I`m hoping Tris proves differently.
Must say though - I do like the little changes he has brought in so far.

So all you and your team need to do is cut down on the padding (pictures, amateur and adverts) ... and fill it with more boxing news

[Twinkle Toes]

Big difference between being scared of pissing someone off and the necessity of staying within the law.

Oh pleaseeee, one paragraph was a feeble representation of what was a high profile case in the British boxing - Even the non supporting press gave more time and effort to the story.

It was incorrect for Boxing news, to shut up shop over that case.

[dbflex]

Shop wasn't shut. The story was covered, just not as extensively as you'd have liked.