Boxing Writers

[armageto]

I created the name for the podcast: The 1-2 Punch. The two hosts were Matt Yanofsky and Thomas Marriott. I was the voice at the beginning which announced them like two boxers before a fight. I also created the title Mythical Matchups for that series of articles. After Boxing Tribune ended, another website used that title and now Ring Magazine also uses it. I should have trademarked it. I was the editor-in-chief and the website went to s**t after I left because of all the spelling and grammatical errors that were not being corrected. That's the truth. A few months later, the owner of the website sold it to 15 Rounds.

Too bad it went downhill, I liked the look and most of the articles. They seemed more "outside the box" from normal site articles. Do you know what became of the two hosts? Do they do any podcasts, or anything to do with the sport? What did you think of the podcast?

It went downhill because the writers were not improving and I was spending about 20 hours a week editing. I sent the writers a list of the common errors I noticed so that they would not repeat those mistakes, but they did not care because they were not getting paid, but neither was I. I did it for the love of boxing, but it was taking too much time to edit. I did not get any money from the sale of the website even though I put a lot of time and effort into it with editing and my own writing and videos. Anson Wainwright was with Boxing Tribune and he went on to work for Max Boxing and now Ring Magazine. He's from the United Kingdom. He gets interviews with a lot of world-class boxers. I don't know how he got all those contacts. I get good interviews too, but they are mostly boxers in Florida which is okay because this state has a lot of good boxers training here. The podcast was good. I listened to it. I was going to be the substitute for one of the hosts one week, but we were having technical difficulties. I don't know what Thomas Marriott is doing, but Matt Yanofsky seems to be successful as a boxing manager. He's even on BoxRec: http://boxrec.com/media/index.php/Matt_Yanofsky

Thanks for all the info Ron.....

[RScarf1]

You're welcome armageto. I'm glad to share it. There is a website now called The Boxing Tribune which is not affiliated with the original one. A boxing belt maker told me that boxing is a "copycat business." I guess he is right.

[armageto]

You're welcome armageto. I'm glad to share it. There is a website now called The Boxing Tribune which is not affiliated with the original one. A boxing belt maker told me that boxing is a "copycat business." I guess he is right.

I'll check it out, just for the laughs!

[RScarf1]

You're welcome armageto. I'm glad to share it. There is a website now called The Boxing Tribune which is not affiliated with the original one. A boxing belt maker told me that boxing is a "copycat business." I guess he is right.

I'll check it out, just for the laughs!

I don't think you'll be able to right now. My computer is blocking me from going on their website because of malware. That happens with them from time to time. I have read a few of their articles before. I like that they are against corruption and Ring Magazine. I remember the website saying that they pay their writers which is unusual. Fight Hype does not pay for articles because they get a lot more views from videos such as interviews and workouts. That is what I will begin doing soon because that is where the money is. I still will write though because I like doing it.

[veriton]

Agreed, does macrae still write monthly articles in boxing news ?.

no he hasnt done one for ages, flexen took over (probably cost cutting) and they were really good but he ballsed up a few (one about mitchell smith springs to mind) then disappeared. i enjoy steve lillis pieces in boxing monthly

Now I've 'reappeared' how was Smith ballsed up? Because he lost?

no, not because he lost. because it was over-romaticised and over-dramatized and it disappeared up its own arse in a bid to mythologize smith. its a long time since i read it and i dont keep all my old copies any more so this is from memory - but it was basically hinged on what a great family man smith was and how that was the strength driving him forward, how he needed family above everything else.

but then, almost fleetingly, it mentioned that smith had a kid that he hardly ever saw (so the exact opposite of a family man), plus he had a massive row with his dad soon after, partly as a result of acting like an utter nob outside the ring and not taking any notice of what his dad was telling him. that was going on at the time of the interview and was missed.

so it was well written but didnt give an accurate view of smith's life. it was all roses and chocolate, which may have made some people feel all fuzzy inside but wasnt accurate. i felt it was an attempt to write a big picture story just after seeing a little picture (which can be misrepresented).

i think this is why i like writers like lillis and bozeat, telling it straight. bozeat's piece on mcphilbin this week is one of the best in BN for a long time, excellent writing. christie is an excellent editor too, i think he gets the level just right - love for the sport but not blind adoration and not a huge self publicist.

would look forward to seeing more pieces from you though flexen. 90 per cent were excellent, just keep a lid on it a bit and you'll be better for it IMO.

[PredatorHayds]

no he hasnt done one for ages, flexen took over (probably cost cutting) and they were really good but he ballsed up a few (one about mitchell smith springs to mind) then disappeared. i enjoy steve lillis pieces in boxing monthly

Now I've 'reappeared' how was Smith ballsed up? Because he lost?

no, not because he lost. because it was over-romaticised and over-dramatized and it disappeared up its own arse in a bid to mythologize smith. its a long time since i read it and i dont keep all my old copies any more so this is from memory - but it was basically hinged on what a great family man smith was and how that was the strength driving him forward, how he needed family above everything else.

but then, almost fleetingly, it mentioned that smith had a kid that he hardly ever saw (so the exact opposite of a family man), plus he had a massive row with his dad soon after, partly as a result of acting like an utter nob outside the ring and not taking any notice of what his dad was telling him. that was going on at the time of the interview and was missed.

so it was well written but didnt give an accurate view of smith's life. it was all roses and chocolate, which may have made some people feel all fuzzy inside but wasnt accurate. i felt it was an attempt to write a big picture story just after seeing a little picture (which can be misrepresented).

i think this is why i like writers like lillis and bozeat, telling it straight. bozeat's piece on mcphilbin this week is one of the best in BN for a long time, excellent writing. christie is an excellent editor too, i think he gets the level just right - love for the sport but not blind adoration and not a huge self publicist.

would look forward to seeing more pieces from you though flexen. 90 per cent were excellent, just keep a lid on it a bit and you'll be better for it IMO.

The McPhilbin piece was very good.

[J]

'Y'all must have forgot!'

Can't blame you, to be fair :-)

eff me you alive, fancy hooking up with me and Jim in London for Joshua Vitali (pub like not going to wembley)

drop us a line me old mucker let me know

[lefty]

'Y'all must have forgot!'

Can't blame you, to be fair :-)

eff me you alive, fancy hooking up with me and Jim in London for Joshua Vitali (pub like not going to wembley)

drop us a line me old mucker let me know

Vitali has been retired for quite awhile now ;)

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, there's a fair few I'll need to check out.

I'm studying journalism myself and boxing writing is something I've thought about, probably a pipe dream though. Writers do seem to be more like robo-journalists these days; write, film, design, publish; I guess it's just the way it is now. Quantity over quality is the new rule. Whatever happened to cigarettes, whiskey, and a typewriter!?

There is virtually no money in it, unless you get a Rafael type gig, so it's definitely a passion side project. I blogged for a few years for several sites, the ringside seats are nice but the deadlines and weekly grinds for a twenty or two a month turns into a chore before you know it.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

You're welcome armageto. I'm glad to share it. There is a website now called The Boxing Tribune which is not affiliated with the original one. A boxing belt maker told me that boxing is a "copycat business." I guess he is right.

I'll check it out, just for the laughs!

I don't think you'll be able to right now. My computer is blocking me from going on their website because of malware. That happens with them from time to time. I have read a few of their articles before. I like that they are against corruption and Ring Magazine. I remember the website saying that they pay their writers which is unusual. Fight Hype does not pay for articles because they get a lot more views from videos such as interviews and workouts. That is what I will begin doing soon because that is where the money is. I still will write though because I like doing it.

They wanted me to write for them. They do 'pay' the writers but you could be talking about an infrequent check for $4.77

[SteveDow]

Donald McRae as others have mentioned is excellent.

Kevin Mitchell is a good writer. His book War Baby on the Benn v Mclellan fight was great.

Agree that Hart and Powell are crap but hardly surprising given the rags they write for.

Harry Mullen god rest his soul used to be brilliant.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, there's a fair few I'll need to check out.

I'm studying journalism myself and boxing writing is something I've thought about, probably a pipe dream though. Writers do seem to be more like robo-journalists these days; write, film, design, publish; I guess it's just the way it is now. Quantity over quality is the new rule. Whatever happened to cigarettes, whiskey, and a typewriter!?

There is virtually no money in it, unless you get a Rafael type gig, so it's definitely a passion side project. I blogged for a few years for several sites, the ringside seats are nice but the deadlines and weekly grinds for a twenty or two a month turns into a chore before you know it.

Yeah I got sick of writing 10000 words a week gratis. Still, a great experience.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, there's a fair few I'll need to check out.

I'm studying journalism myself and boxing writing is something I've thought about, probably a pipe dream though. Writers do seem to be more like robo-journalists these days; write, film, design, publish; I guess it's just the way it is now. Quantity over quality is the new rule. Whatever happened to cigarettes, whiskey, and a typewriter!?

There is virtually no money in it, unless you get a Rafael type gig, so it's definitely a passion side project. I blogged for a few years for several sites, the ringside seats are nice but the deadlines and weekly grinds for a twenty or two a month turns into a chore before you know it.

Yeah I got sick of writing 10000 words a week gratis. Still, a great experience.

The funniest thing in my experience is when Brad Cooney fired me over a fb argument. I got canned and lost a $20 a month job!

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I might dust off the keyboard to get cageside for the may UFC. Pretty sick card.

[lefty]

Thanks for all the suggestions guys, there's a fair few I'll need to check out.

I'm studying journalism myself and boxing writing is something I've thought about, probably a pipe dream though. Writers do seem to be more like robo-journalists these days; write, film, design, publish; I guess it's just the way it is now. Quantity over quality is the new rule. Whatever happened to cigarettes, whiskey, and a typewriter!?

There is virtually no money in it, unless you get a Rafael type gig, so it's definitely a passion side project. I blogged for a few years for several sites, the ringside seats are nice but the deadlines and weekly grinds for a twenty or two a month turns into a chore before you know it.

How the hell did that tub of lard get that gig anyway?! He's not even a particularly good writer.

[lefty]

I might dust off the keyboard to get cageside for the may UFC. Pretty sick card.

I don't know if you frequent Reddit or not; there's a big plagarism row kicking off on their at the moment.

Some English writer called Jim Edwards has a website that employs (i use the term employ very loosely) young up and coming wannabe MMA writers. Anyway the guy is also a freelance MMA journalist for varying publications- well, he was plagarising parts of the work of the up and coming guys from his site to use for the articles he got paid to write!! Ha.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

No idea, that site was garbage. I couldn't even call myself a writer but I was Shakespeare at 8 count! My best moment was an obituary when Frazier died. Someone sent it to Joe jr and he contacted me to thank me and we still talk. That and my ass kiss of hearns on my favorite fighter list are the only two things out of hundreds I'd say were great.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I might dust off the keyboard to get cageside for the may UFC. Pretty sick card.

I don't know if you frequent Reddit or not; there's a big plagarism row kicking off on their at the moment.

Some English writer called Jim Edwards has a website that employs (i use the term employ very loosely) young up and coming wannabe MMA writers. Anyway the guy is also a freelance MMA journalist for varying publications- well, he was plagarising parts of the work of the up and coming guys from his site to use for the articles he got paid to write!! Ha.

Lol, never been there. My buddy owns boxing mundial and I helped him try to bolster the English section years back. He'll hook me up if I write a prediction preview and a recap. I might not be in town though.

[Counter-puncher]

No idea, that site was garbage. I couldn't even call myself a writer but I was Shakespeare at 8 count! My best moment was an obituary when Frazier died. Someone sent it to Joe jr and he contacted me to thank me and we still talk. That and my ass kiss of hearns on my favorite fighter list are the only two things out of hundreds I'd say were great.

The 100(?) favourite fights was very good, i remember one phrase Marvin Johnson 'nuclear power, average chin and stamina,heart for days' I think it was. That was well-put

[SaadOffTheDeck]

No idea, that site was garbage. I couldn't even call myself a writer but I was Shakespeare at 8 count! My best moment was an obituary when Frazier died. Someone sent it to Joe jr and he contacted me to thank me and we still talk. That and my ass kiss of hearns on my favorite fighter list are the only two things out of hundreds I'd say were great.

The 100(?) favourite fights was very good, i remember one phrase Marvin Johnson 'nuclear power, average chin and stamina,heart for days' I think it was. That was well-put

Thanks, I had a good turn of tongue and love for the sport. Above average blogger, I just have a lot of respect for real writing and that is not me. I forgot about that list.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

I just remembered my argument with Cooney was because I refused to do may/PAC bs blogs for hits.

[jamesmcdonnell]

Must admit I do still miss it sometimes, but I just don't have the energy to put all those hours in on top of a full time job.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Must admit I do still miss it sometimes, but I just don't have the energy to put all those hours in on top of a full time job.

Me too, it definitely helps keep you engaged with the sport. A nice drink, a bump and the words fly. Lol

[RScarf1]

Must admit I do still miss it sometimes, but I just don't have the energy to put all those hours in on top of a full time job.

Me too, it definitely helps keep you engaged with the sport. A nice drink, a bump and the words fly. Lol

It is tough with a full-time job to get articles done. I think that is why some writers don't edit their work. They don't want to put in the time. The trend seems to be press releases from promoters and managers rather than independent writers. I think fans can get better opinions about boxing from the boxrec forum compared to what passes for boxing journalism these days.

[SaadOffTheDeck]

Must admit I do still miss it sometimes, but I just don't have the energy to put all those hours in on top of a full time job.

Me too, it definitely helps keep you engaged with the sport. A nice drink, a bump and the words fly. Lol

It is tough with a full-time job to get articles done. I think that is why some writers don't edit their work. They don't want to put in the time. The trend seems to be press releases from promoters and managers rather than independent writers. I think fans can get better opinions about boxing from the boxrec forum compared to what passes for boxing journalism these days.

I'm not capable of real editing, yet I've contacted my editor on mistakes more times than I can count. I'm simply a fan talked into 'writing'. There are no boxing writers now.