Matt Christie leaves Boxing News

[Rezzer1967]

I recently had a look at the first issue I ever bought in 1989 ( I’ve not missed an issue since). I thought the old black and white ( and red ) style would be dated compared to the modern magazine but it was really interesting. The latest incarnation of BN is definitely the worse I’ve read. Most weeks I just skim through it. I’m a loyal type of fella so I’m sticking with it but it has got pretty poor, pretty quickly. I don’t even like the cover compared to the previous style. In the modern world, a six page interview with anyone is too much in my opinion. Couldn’t care less about Eubanks love of poker. Typical of him to get into it about 20 years after the original poker boom. He’ll be telling us how much he’s into the X Factor next.

[skanksta]

As mentioned previously, impossible to tailor a weekly magazine, with so many polarising characters, to everyone's taste. My favourite piece in this issue was the Johnson vs Wells saga.

Mark, you're clearly a decent honourable guy, so again, place my answer in wider context of respecting your operating environment and I'm going to continue to support the mag by buying every week, but you and I both know that's a smart evasion of the criticism.
As per the points I made to Veriton, this wasn't an interview as you and I know them to be, it was a puff piece. Now whether that was because of an explicit or tacit agreement, I don't know, but as someone who did the hard nine yards as a journalist and editor back in the day, I would have been hauled over the coals for not seeking to at least explore the disconnect between Eubank Jr's stated aspirations and the reality of his career over the past 5 years.
As I said way further back - you guys have unique access (when it's granted) and much like you mentioned that being able to get ringside seats for a big fight is a privilege not a right, by the same token the privilege of getting that access shouldn't be wasted with only tabling the type of softball questions that a PR would script themselves.
Rant over :) Thanks for allowing me to have my take... hopefully the next issue will be a cracking Bivol vs Betterbiev preview rather than 6 pages on Sonny Edwards telling us how he's taken up Padel

Who told you about the Sunny Padel six-pager? Haha. No worries. The feedback is valuable and support appreciated.

I look forward to it !
If you want more feedback (subscriber for 20+years) I want more previews in general and more on the undercards in particular.
I buy BN for those little nuggets I didn't know - largely for betting purposes - and I've been very disappointed with the previews of late. Too much telling you about what you already know - like they're just lazily regurgitating boxrec !
Anyone can do that - I want the stuff you guys know that doesn't show on the record.
Often there's barely more than a line on some undercard fights too.

[SeanBrennan]

I did chuckle at the response to the letter this week tho with someone asking if they always have to refer to Chamberlain as Turki's favourite boxer, they printed the letter and the editor's response was that it was a legal requirement which made me proper laugh as it shows they've a sense of humour.

[Deserter]

I did chuckle at the response to the letter this week tho with someone asking if they always have to refer to Chamberlain as Turki's favourite boxer, they printed the letter and the editor's response was that it was a legal requirement which made me proper laugh as it shows they've a sense of humour.

To be fair it made me chuckle as well. Feel that irreverent style gives BN a good sense of personality

[SeanBrennan]

I did chuckle at the response to the letter this week tho with someone asking if they always have to refer to Chamberlain as Turki's favourite boxer, they printed the letter and the editor's response was that it was a legal requirement which made me proper laugh as it shows they've a sense of humour.

To be fair it made me chuckle as well. Feel that irreverent style gives BN a good sense of personality

glad i'm not the only one, the editor is clearly coming from a good place intention-wise.

[skanksta]

X3 I liked rhat too - BN like an old mate cracking jokes
And often don’t read the features - I want more preview !

[Battlingsiki]

I recently had a look at the first issue I ever bought in 1989 ( I’ve not missed an issue since). I thought the old black and white ( and red ) style would be dated compared to the modern magazine but it was really interesting. The latest incarnation of BN is definitely the worse I’ve read. Most weeks I just skim through it. I’m a loyal type of fella so I’m sticking with it but it has got pretty poor, pretty quickly. I don’t even like the cover compared to the previous style. In the modern world, a six page interview with anyone is too much in my opinion. Couldn’t care less about Eubanks love of poker. Typical of him to get into it about 20 years after the original poker boom. He’ll be telling us how much he’s into the X Factor next.

Just had to double take, as I thought your name was Rozzer and I'd have to tread extra carefully here. 1989 was a fantastic era, but for context (as I doubt you've read every post) you had Harry Mullan, Claude Abrams and Daniel Herbert working full-time in an office, plus Bob Mee helping out, with a publisher, creating 32-36 pages. Now it's me churning out 52 pages a week, covering most of those bases and balancing that with a full-time job. These are very different times, with greater limitations. Back to work, I have an eight-page Prince Patel feature to edit plus a photo shoot with Ben Shalom and his favourite tailor in Savile Row.

[Bigdogsnose]

Has Steve welling went to boxing news or am I getting mixed up?

Some weeks the nuthouse podcast has been pretty shite recently. Most of the regulars appear to have abandoned ship and they have done away with bellew of the week.

[MightyWarrior]

Back to work, I have an eight-page Prince Patel feature to edit plus a photo shoot with Ben Shalom and his favourite tailor in Savile Row.

Very good

[Coco]

One of my personal favourites was about a guy who posted on here, bigging himself up as a prospect etc.

Anyway came in well overweight on his debut and got blasted out.

The BN reporter said the fella was more Walter than Sylvester Mittee!!!!

[corker77]

If anyone wants to know why I left BN, or is curious about the state of BN’s finances after a very profitable 2022, or even the reason why Boxing Monthly was halted, I’d be happy to tell you privately. If you see me walking my idiotic dog, or having a pint on the seafront, or at the mighty Worthing FC, I’d be delighted to chat. A public forum is not the place to discuss such sensitive issues.
Can’t see a lot in this thread that chimes with the reality of the various situations that I lived through, on a daily basis, for years. I won’t be checking back to read replies, yet felt it very important to say this because we worked so very hard at BN, as a team, to ensure it survived during the pandemic. And it didn’t only survive, it also thrived to exceed all expectations.
Thanks to everyone who supported me during my time as editor of the wondrous Boxing News. It was an honour to serve you.
Matt Christie

[garethhop]

I recently had a look at the first issue I ever bought in 1989 ( I’ve not missed an issue since). I thought the old black and white ( and red ) style would be dated compared to the modern magazine but it was really interesting. The latest incarnation of BN is definitely the worse I’ve read. Most weeks I just skim through it. I’m a loyal type of fella so I’m sticking with it but it has got pretty poor, pretty quickly. I don’t even like the cover compared to the previous style. In the modern world, a six page interview with anyone is too much in my opinion. Couldn’t care less about Eubanks love of poker. Typical of him to get into it about 20 years after the original poker boom. He’ll be telling us how much he’s into the X Factor next.

This.

I've been buying regularly for 12 years and subscribing since 2020.

The magazine is on its arse at the moment.

[JC]

If anyone wants to know why I left BN, or is curious about the state of BN’s finances after a very profitable 2022, or even the reason why Boxing Monthly was halted, I’d be happy to tell you privately. If you see me walking my idiotic dog, or having a pint on the seafront, or at the mighty Worthing FC, I’d be delighted to chat. A public forum is not the place to discuss such sensitive issues.
Can’t see a lot in this thread that chimes with the reality of the various situations that I lived through, on a daily basis, for years. I won’t be checking back to read replies, yet felt it very important to say this because we worked so very hard at BN, as a team, to ensure it survived during the pandemic. And it didn’t only survive, it also thrived to exceed all expectations.
Thanks to everyone who supported me during my time as editor of the wondrous Boxing News. It was an honour to serve you.
Matt Christie

Nice one, Matt. Appreciate you taking the time to post.

[MightyWarrior]

Reading between the lines of Matt’s post, it would appear that the life blood and money was sucked out of the publications by the profiteering charlatan owners.

Anyone surprised? No me neither.

Bloody hard to find these days, even WH Smiths doesn’t always have it ( I always bought it there, even while abroad, since 1981 ) but I know one place that has it, though it involves a 2 hour walk but it’s along the river so I ain’t complaining

I’ll be picking it up this week because it’s a big fight weekend. There’s no doubt about that.

[Controversial]

Bloody hard to find these days, even WH Smiths doesn’t always have it ( I always bought it there, even while abroad, since 1981 ) but I know one place that has it, though it involves a 2 hour walk but it’s along the river so I ain’t complaining

I’ll be picking it up this week because it’s a big fight weekend. There’s no doubt about that.

Why not get a subscription and get it delivered to you, cheaper than buying it in the shops as well.

[Battlingsiki]

Reading between the lines of Matt’s post, it would appear that the life blood and money was sucked out of the publications by the profiteering charlatan owners.

Anyone surprised? No me neither.

Bloody hard to find these days, even WH Smiths doesn’t always have it ( I always bought it there, even while abroad, since 1981 ) but I know one place that has it, though it involves a 2 hour walk but it’s along the river so I ain’t complaining

I’ll be picking it up this week because it’s a big fight weekend. There’s no doubt about that.

If you're looking to make your fortune in magazines, it's not going to happen. But I know Matt was very proud of his time at Boxing News and, keeping it going during Covid, certainly helped distract and entertain boxing fans during our enforced captivity.

[Rezzer1967]

I recently had a look at the first issue I ever bought in 1989 ( I’ve not missed an issue since). I thought the old black and white ( and red ) style would be dated compared to the modern magazine but it was really interesting. The latest incarnation of BN is definitely the worse I’ve read. Most weeks I just skim through it. I’m a loyal type of fella so I’m sticking with it but it has got pretty poor, pretty quickly. I don’t even like the cover compared to the previous style. In the modern world, a six page interview with anyone is too much in my opinion. Couldn’t care less about Eubanks love of poker. Typical of him to get into it about 20 years after the original poker boom. He’ll be telling us how much he’s into the X Factor next.

Just had to double take, as I thought your name was Rozzer and I'd have to tread extra carefully here. 1989 was a fantastic era, but for context (as I doubt you've read every post) you had Harry Mullan, Claude Abrams and Daniel Herbert working full-time in an office, plus Bob Mee helping out, with a publisher, creating 32-36 pages. Now it's me churning out 52 pages a week, covering most of those bases and balancing that with a full-time job. These are very different times, with greater limitations. Back to work, I have an eight-page Prince Patel feature to edit plus a photo shoot with Ben Shalom and his favourite tailor in Savile Row.

Thank you for the reply. Much appreciated.

[MightyWarrior]

Just picked up the latest issue, first time in a couple of years very impressive. Great cover and great to see the sublime but forgotten Sumbu Kalambey profiled by Mark in the editorial. Most people have probably only seen his stunning knockout loss to the red hot seemingly unstoppable, Michael Nunn ( a reminder of just how great James Toney was ) Declan Taylor’s this week was entertaining. I missed some of that stuff. Nice layout. No shortage of good profiles in there as well which I haven’t read yet

And It doesn’t get any better than the big fights previewed by Graham Houston


Betting angles? Great stuff, maybe I’ll make some money on Saturday night.

[Deserter]

I'm abroad at the moment, so I don't have access to a copy of BN. What is Houston predicting as the outcome of the fight?

[veriton]

Narrow points win for Bivol. There's a 16 page pullout on Eubank, Janibek and the sanctioning bodies too so you should be happy.

[Deserter]

Narrow points win for Bivol. There's a 16 page pullout on Eubank, Janibek and the sanctioning bodies too so you should be happy.

Better be a copy in smiths at stansted when I land on Sunday :)

[SeanBrennan]

Narrow points win for Bivol. There's a 16 page pullout on Eubank, Janibek and the sanctioning bodies too so you should be happy.

Better be a copy in smiths at stansted when I land on Sunday :)

if there isn't shout and I can post you mine, I've read it now.

[Deserter]

Narrow points win for Bivol. There's a 16 page pullout on Eubank, Janibek and the sanctioning bodies too so you should be happy.

Better be a copy in smiths at stansted when I land on Sunday :)

if there isn't shout and I can post you mine, I've read it now.

You are a damn good man Sean, thank you. Will try Stansted and then my regular newsagent in Bethnal Green, but if no joy then I'll definitely holler.

[SeanBrennan]

Better be a copy in smiths at stansted when I land on Sunday :)

if there isn't shout and I can post you mine, I've read it now.

You are a damn good man Sean, thank you. Will try Stansted and then my regular newsagent in Bethnal Green, but if no joy then I'll definitely holler.

you are very welcome mate.

[afcpaul]

I did chuckle at the response to the letter this week tho with someone asking if they always have to refer to Chamberlain as Turki's favourite boxer, they printed the letter and the editor's response was that it was a legal requirement which made me proper laugh as it shows they've a sense of humour.

Yea, ive noticed that a bit of humour has crept in. With Mark and Declan’s writing.