New look Boxing Monthly

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 25 May 2007, 07:41

Noticed BM was sporting a new look this morning. Gonna pick up my copy at lunchtime.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 25 May 2007, 07:54

No, that market's saturated.

Carbo · Post by **Carbo** » 25 May 2007, 07:55

Another new look? Didn't they have a new look about 18 months or 2 years ago?

Desperation?

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 25 May 2007, 08:01

It was a bit more than that, more like 3 years. Anyway, going to check it out now.

Carbo · Post by **Carbo** » 25 May 2007, 08:12

oliverfennell wrote:It was a bit more than that, more like 3 years. Anyway, going to check it out now.

Please let me know, I can't buy my own, because of my current location.

But I've often thought that BM should dispense with the blow by blow acocunts and news, because that job is done far more effectively by BN and the internet.

Instead they should ramp up the quality of writing and go for intelligent comment and analysis, with some hard hitting interviews and historical pieces. Sure, they can cover fights that have happened, but in a round-up kind of way, and the big fight reviews should look at the bigger picture rather than every blow.

An investment in glossy production standards and swanky design would serve that well. But I suppose it's hard graft when you're only in five figures in terms of readership.

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 25 May 2007, 09:01

Actually, there's not much difference. The format is the same, just the cover logo has changed and the columns have been revamped. The main body of the mag is the same as before.

I think what you said in your appraisal of BM is actually what they do. Except for the biggest fights (for example, this month it's Oscar-Floyd), they do focus more on previews and interviews. This month there's a preview of Hatton-Castillo, backed up by a historical look at UK v Mexico. They also seem to be writing more about non-fighter people from the sport. For example, last month it was the Ingles, this month it's Dean Powell.

A good package which, I think, meets the points you suggested.

E · Post by E » 25 May 2007, 10:53

Yes some cosmetic changes which work quite well, but unfortunately they haven't managed to give Steve Farhood's awful writing a fresh approach... Glyn Leach still writes badly as well....

Stve Bunce's column is bang on the money this month however, with his look at the UFC vs Boxing.

How the UFC is slickly and well presented and the matchmaking is good. He accounts how loads of boxing fans go to check out UFC and the main reason is boxing's mismatches and how the big matches rarely come off.

If I was a young kid I would look at boxing, but am sure my main sport would be MMA.

Carbo · Post by **Carbo** » 25 May 2007, 10:59

oliverfennell wrote:Actually, there's not much difference. The format is the same, just the cover logo has changed and the columns have been revamped. The main body of the mag is the same as before.

I think what you said in your appraisal of BM is actually what they do. Except for the biggest fights (for example, this month it's Oscar-Floyd), they do focus more on previews and interviews. This month there's a preview of Hatton-Castillo, backed up by a historical look at UK v Mexico. They also seem to be writing more about non-fighter people from the sport. For example, last month it was the Ingles, this month it's Dean Powell.

A good package which, I think, meets the points you suggested.

You may well be right, but, Boxing Monthly is rare on the shelves of the Moscow Newsagents, for some reason.

Mind you, I don't really care anymore, because more than making up for the lack of English language boxing magazines is the fact that the weather has been over 85 for a week and will top the ton on Monday, and the clothes that this sultry weather requires look wonderful on Moscow's beautiful, slim, tall, long-legged women. It seems that what the lord tooketh away from the Bigg Market, he gaveth to Moscow. And in triple.

I'm off to teach some English now, and Terry D's mention of water saturated white cotton will provide some erotic stimulation to stimulate me on the inevetibly clautrophobic metro ride to Tulskaya.

PompeyScot · Post by **PompeyScot** » 25 May 2007, 14:18

Yep, I reckon the column regarding UFC and boxing had it pretty well on the money.

I thought the feature regarding Hamed was pretty good as well, just brings back to mind how much of a talent waste Naz, relatively, was. He achieved a lot but could have achieved so much more.

boxerbob · Post by **boxerbob** » 25 May 2007, 14:31

to the guy who wrote that the bm is doing a preview of hatton vs castillo.....i have 1 question

who have they went for????

personally i think hatton is too young and will stop castillo with body shots around 9-11

The Blade · Post by **The Blade** » 26 May 2007, 16:17

boxerbob wrote:to the guy who wrote that the bm is doing a preview of hatton vs castillo.....i have 1 question

who have they went for????

personally i think hatton is too young and will stop castillo with body shots around 9-11

I see Castillo weighing 147 at the 30 day weigh in. The guy is in shape. I think Hatton wins, too big etc. But Castillo could still have a big fight left in him. Hope so, because styles make fights. At his best, Castillo is good - very good - and a fine body puncher which is where the hitman has looked a little vulnerable over the last two or three. It could be a classic.

dandantheweatherman · Post by **dandantheweatherman** » 27 May 2007, 10:13

If you're struggling to get BM and BN in Moscow you want to get yourself down to the Falklands. One of the shops here in Stanley has got loads of old issues of BN and BM on the shelves!!!!

Carbo · Post by **Carbo** » 27 May 2007, 11:24

dandantheweatherman wrote:If you're struggling to get BM and BN in Moscow you want to get yourself down to the Falklands. One of the shops here in Stanley has got loads of old issues of BN and BM on the shelves!!!!

Yes, but the nightlife can't be up to much, no?

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 29 May 2007, 04:52

Steve Farhood, for me, is one of the few original voices out there. I know he must be one of the 'love him or hate him' brigade but I've always been firmly in the former corner.

I've read him since I was a kid and always found him knowledgeable and funny.

It's a quality mag...not that I'm biased, of course. 8)

oliverfennell · Post by **oliverfennell** » 29 May 2007, 07:02

IMO both the British mags are a level above any of the American ones (and yes, I include The Ring).

yiddo14 · Post by **yiddo14** » 29 May 2007, 07:32

oliverfennell wrote:IMO both the British mags are a level above any of the American ones (and yes, I include The Ring).

Could'nt agree more

dondada · Post by **dondada** » 29 May 2007, 08:15

oliverfennell wrote:IMO both the British mags are a level above any of the American ones (and yes, I include The Ring).

Went to Borders for the first time in ages yesterday and saw some Yankee mag...Boxing 07 type thing. Had a really good feature from Gavin Evans on Africa's best ever fighters...but the thing cost £5.25!

E · Post by E » 29 May 2007, 08:23

Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Steve Farhood, for me, is one of the few original voices out there. I know he must be one of the 'love him or hate him' brigade but I've always been firmly in the former corner.

I've read him since I was a kid and always found him knowledgeable and funny.

It's a quality mag...not that I'm biased, of course. 8)

My problem is that he spends half his time trying to be funny, instead of in-depth analysis and thought... and he is about as funny as waking up in a pool of your own sh1t, blood and piss.....

I prefer the less melodranatic and thoughtful writing of British writers.

That Zachary Levin in BN is fuggin terrible....makes that American writer who passed away recently (temp forget his name) look like shakespeare...