garethhop wrote: ↑21 Jun 2024, 16:45
Don't know what other subscribers think but the quality has fallen off a cliff in the last few weeks. Other than Buncie, Worsell and Dec Taylor, it's almost unreadable.
It's changed, but I like it. It's definitely got more of a BM feel to it with the features. They've cut the reports down which I'm not sure about. I don't get many ppvs so I often haven't seen the big fights before BN comes out so would like to read more about them.
I've enjoyed the Adam Smith pieces but that Ellerbe page was weird, could have just slotted in The Week (which I love).
We finally have proper pictures for Old Timers and Miles Templeton has a full page, which it deserves.
Tried not to leap into this too soon, as think anyone deserves a chance to bed in, but the one thing I would say is it feels that the approach to both fight reports and previews is all over the shop right now to the publication's detriment.
In terms of the former, to give one example, I read the report on the Fury Vs Usyk card and some of the major fights there were reduced to a simple: fighter x beat fighter y. This is all from memory, as my wife accidentally threw the issue out, but I think Declan Taylor (who I rate) was actually in Riyadh for this, so presumably could have given WAY more insight both about the fights themselves and the aftermath. Instead some of the bouts had barely one or two lines on them, that any boxing fan would have already known from either watching themselves or reading a report online the next day. Why would you send a good reporter all that way with that kind of access, only to publish such brief, repetitive summaries? I honestly don't get it - the reporter is capable of way more and surely any reader would also welcome more?
As for previews, in this week's issue, we get a decent interview with Tyler Denny, but no preview of the fight itself or any of the undercard, such as Crocker vs Walker. Same applies to Espinoza vs Chirino - not even an acknowledgement of it taking place bar being mentioned in the major fight schedule (and there's a contradiction in itself, as if it's a major fight, how can BN not preview it?!).
For me these are big issues - I buy BN because I want to get their perspective on how a fight is going to play out and/or expert analysis of a card that's happened, containing way more than the cursory info you'd get on something like fightnews.com.
Final point is more tangential, but amidst some of the dross on YouTube, you also get some really good analytical breakdowns and I don't understand why BN doesn't ever go down this path. Just a hypothetical example, but if you take a fight like Fury vs Usyk, rather than just having a standard 'in round 8, Usyk scored with a big right hand that damaged Fury's nose..' (which every boxing fan knew by the time the mag was published), why not have an analysis of how Usyk gained momentum and identifying those adjustments, whether they relate to timing, footwork etc. That's the type of specialist knowledge that will never be carried in the mainstream media fight reports, so it 's a clear differentiator that's in line with target readership.
Doesn't change the fact there's a lot in there I like, but unless they sort it out, I'll probably be moving from someone who buys it religiously every week through to an adhoc purchaser depending on what's in it that particular week.
Unfortunately, it now seems like I'm getting every few issues a week later than I should, but I imagine that's down to RM rather than the publishers. At least I can view the online version if my paper copy doesn't turn up.
I agree with Deserter in that some of the fight reports leave a lot to be desired. If I haven't seen a fight I want to know how it was won, and what the winner did well etc.
Mark Butcher's editorial the other week about Tank was fine, he is very exciting, but failed to mention his inactivity for some reason.
I do like Bunce's pieces and some of the features are really well-written, so it's a mixed bag, not binning my subscription yet.
I'm really starting to wobble on this. BN has turned into a weekly BM and I cant help but feel its a short step to BN going monthly itself.
The best thing about BN has always been its immediacy, and I couldnt wait to read the previews for the weekend ahead when it dropped through the letterbox on a Friday (now a Thursday).
Its mainly magazine style 'talking head' features now though, which lend themselves to dull interviews led by the fighter/promoter rather than genuine insight from writers in previews. I want to read what it all means rather than what is being said.
The piece on Avanesyan this week was extremely poor, the first five paragraphs were non sensical and didnt even mention the boxer or the fight. If you got to the end it was even worse.
Its just feeling like too many features for previews and not enough news for me at the moment. I hope it changes soon.
I think in the age of the internet and instant access, being primarily 'news' focussed just doesn't work for a weekly publication. As mentioned in a few posts above (and as I often used to say about BM before it unfortunately shut down), I'd prefer them to pivot into more analytical pieces, where they get experts to really break down fights or historical events in depth. That sort of detail isn't done by most internet outlets, and usually they don't have the knowledge to do it properly anyway. BN could really carve out a niche for itself, rather than being left behind. Just my 2 cents.
coneye wrote: ↑13 Jul 2024, 07:35
Must be extremly hard for any magazine of this type to stay afloat ,in this day and age , everyone has the net .
I think the sales numbers are published, I can't find them. I've no idea if this mag makes any money, you're right it must be so hard to stay afloat. Does anyone know?
I stopped subscribing after 34 years a couple of months ago.
The reasons, is what I want are:
1. Good previews of fights.
2. Most importantly, a proper review of every fight that has taken place in the UK that week (I'm a boxing nerd but I obviously can't watch all of them).
3. I'm less bothered about reviews of the big US (and now Saudi) cards as I can either watch them or read elsewhere.
4. A decent summary of the amateur game (TBF they still do this pretty well).
I miss it as I'm an earlier riser than the rest of the family and it was my 6.30AM Saturday ritual with a cup of coffee.
Loynesy wrote: ↑24 Jul 2024, 15:43
I stopped subscribing after 34 years a couple of months ago.
The reasons, is what I want are:
1. Good previews of fights.
2. Most importantly, a proper review of every fight that has taken place in the UK that week (I'm a boxing nerd but I obviously can't watch all of them).
3. I'm less bothered about reviews of the big US (and now Saudi) cards as I can either watch them or read elsewhere.
4. A decent summary of the amateur game (TBF they still do this pretty well).
I miss it as I'm an earlier riser than the rest of the family and it was my 6.30AM Saturday ritual with a cup of coffee.
So where else are you getting all this now?
For all its current problems there isn't anything else like it. It's £2.50 a week on a subscription so not a huge deal.
If Worsell has gone then that's a big blow. He had some gravitas and a wider view. But then you've got Declan Taylor writing The Week which I think is now one of the best things in there. It's short, punchy and spiky and a great round up.
Another reason I renewed is because ive also read it for 30 plus years. Tradition, routine and keeping it alive all paid a part in my decision. I can't see how any boxing fan could be without it
Last edited by veriton on 25 Jul 2024, 13:37, edited 1 time in total.
Loynesy wrote: ↑24 Jul 2024, 15:43
I stopped subscribing after 34 years a couple of months ago.
The reasons, is what I want are:
1. Good previews of fights.
2. Most importantly, a proper review of every fight that has taken place in the UK that week (I'm a boxing nerd but I obviously can't watch all of them).
3. I'm less bothered about reviews of the big US (and now Saudi) cards as I can either watch them or read elsewhere.
4. A decent summary of the amateur game (TBF they still do this pretty well).
I miss it as I'm an earlier riser than the rest of the family and it was my 6.30AM Saturday ritual with a cup of coffee.
Don’t deny yourself mate. Life’s too short!
Nothing like an early morning and a coffee to yourself!
Anyone know what Worsell is moving on to? It’s a bit of a surprise in a way but when there’s a new editor and new ownership staff reshuffles are typical.
Mark Butcher has been in boxing for years and even used to have a full time job there as a writer many years ago so BN is in good hands.
I guess BN are just facing the same problem every print title faces with the net. I still buy it, but of course the buzz is not the same as when you’re young, and unlike pre-web we know all the results, whereas previously we would have to wait til publication for comprehensive coverage.
I do miss Boxing Monthly, I felt it had quality, lengthy articles. Hopefully BN will survive digitally and in print.
Loynesy wrote: ↑24 Jul 2024, 15:43
I stopped subscribing after 34 years a couple of months ago.
The reasons, is what I want are:
1. Good previews of fights.
2. Most importantly, a proper review of every fight that has taken place in the UK that week (I'm a boxing nerd but I obviously can't watch all of them).
3. I'm less bothered about reviews of the big US (and now Saudi) cards as I can either watch them or read elsewhere.
4. A decent summary of the amateur game (TBF they still do this pretty well).
I miss it as I'm an earlier riser than the rest of the family and it was my 6.30AM Saturday ritual with a cup of coffee.
Who pays to get all those fights covered? Economically it's a dud. There's not enough money to pay more than a few staffers, and the rest will be contractors, hard to cover so many fights.
I consider myself a bit of a domestic boxing nerd, but don't think I could bring myself to read a thorough breakdown of every 40-36 "Local, light-punching ticket seller vs journeyman who doesn't want to get stopped so he can get out on another show next week" type contest.
I do subscribe out of loyalty. I often give copies to a couple of young ams who make the pages. Hopefully they'll remember me when they're on the front...
Loynesy wrote: ↑24 Jul 2024, 15:43
I stopped subscribing after 34 years a couple of months ago.
The reasons, is what I want are:
1. Good previews of fights.
2. Most importantly, a proper review of every fight that has taken place in the UK that week (I'm a boxing nerd but I obviously can't watch all of them).
3. I'm less bothered about reviews of the big US (and now Saudi) cards as I can either watch them or read elsewhere.
4. A decent summary of the amateur game (TBF they still do this pretty well).
I miss it as I'm an earlier riser than the rest of the family and it was my 6.30AM Saturday ritual with a cup of coffee.
Who pays to get all those fights covered? Economically it's a dud. There's not enough money to pay more than a few staffers, and the rest will be contractors, hard to cover so many fights.
Don't disagree at all James. If there is no financial basis for a product to work (don't just mean boxing but anything) it will cease. Just upsets when it's a product that has been part of two thirds of your life.
handsofstone wrote: ↑25 Jul 2024, 10:27
I did read a couple of BN over the years but never subscribed, I miss Boxing Monthly dearly though, an immense magazine
Same. My parents used to get an annual sub to Boxing Monthly for me for Christmas every year. An excellent magazine.
When it folded it was replaced by Boxing News for a few months and then I added another year to it. I liked it but given it was covid it was more articles than fight reviews/current news. When it reverted more to how it was previously I cancelled my subscription. I’d have probably kept it if I had more free time but the issues were backing up, I already knew most of the current news and I wasn’t particularly interested in reading about low level prospect vs 0-16 journeyman several times a week.
handsofstone wrote: ↑25 Jul 2024, 10:27
I did read a couple of BN over the years but never subscribed, I miss Boxing Monthly dearly though, an immense magazine
Same. My parents used to get an annual sub to Boxing Monthly for me for Christmas every year. An excellent magazine.
Same here. Still got my subscribers Boxing Monthly t-shirt somewhere at the back of the closet, although sadly my BM mug has long since perished.
handsofstone wrote: ↑25 Jul 2024, 10:27
I did read a couple of BN over the years but never subscribed, I miss Boxing Monthly dearly though, an immense magazine
Same. My parents used to get an annual sub to Boxing Monthly for me for Christmas every year. An excellent magazine.
Same here. Still got my subscribers Boxing Monthly t-shirt somewhere at the back of the closet, although sadly my BM mug has long since perished.
My mug is still at my folks’. No idea where the y-shirt went.
Loynesy wrote: ↑24 Jul 2024, 15:43
I stopped subscribing after 34 years a couple of months ago.
The reasons, is what I want are:
1. Good previews of fights.
2. Most importantly, a proper review of every fight that has taken place in the UK that week (I'm a boxing nerd but I obviously can't watch all of them).
3. I'm less bothered about reviews of the big US (and now Saudi) cards as I can either watch them or read elsewhere.
4. A decent summary of the amateur game (TBF they still do this pretty well).
I miss it as I'm an earlier riser than the rest of the family and it was my 6.30AM Saturday ritual with a cup of coffee.
Who pays to get all those fights covered? Economically it's a dud. There's not enough money to pay more than a few staffers, and the rest will be contractors, hard to cover so many fights.
Don't disagree at all James. If there is no financial basis for a product to work (don't just mean boxing but anything) it will cease. Just upsets when it's a product that has been part of two thirds of your life.
Lots of these small circulation magazines, barely break even, it's just the way it is, even the main newspapers now don't sell anything like they used to, they make most of their money in online advertising. Paper based pretty much anything is basically a loss leader for the companies that run them.
Newspapers have always relied on ads, but now, they rely on them almost totally.
