It contained detailed reports or british fights and british fighters I had never heard of. But I loved it; it felt real and gritty.
Production and writing has changed a lot since then; as has the writing approach.
But I think today's boxing news is the best ever. And I'm saying that as a cynical, nostalgic, old-fashioned reader. Yes; sometimes I think the quality of the writing in not flawless; but neither was it in the old days. I like the way the paper has kept up with times - I like the snippets, the twitter and facebook snaps - they give an insight on a fighter. The photos are great, the layout is great, the graphics are good and if you just want to dip in you can.
There is a community feel and a closeness to the boxers that was not previously available.
I think the paper is at its strongest ever; and so a lot of credit has to be given to Tris Dixon for taking hold of a century-old paper with a legacy and modernising it whilst keeping its position as the only 'must-read' edition in world boxing.
Well done Tris.