BoxRec

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:

RScarf1 wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote: 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.

There are a few good boxing writers. They have good ideas, but their articles don't always look professional because of spelling and/or grammatical errors. I am impressed by a writer for Fight Hype named Caryn A. Tate. She also wrote for other boxing websites and she writes her own web comic book. She puts out an article as often as I do which is about twice a month. Her website is carynatate.com

I'm a great speller but I wouldn't know a semi colon from a comma if it knocked me out.

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:I'm a great speller but I wouldn't know a semi colon from a comma if it knocked me out.

I don't recall ever using a semicolon. It connects two related sentences into one sentence, so I just have two separate sentences.

RScarf1 wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:I'm a great speller but I wouldn't know a semi colon from a comma if it knocked me out.

I don't recall ever using a semicolon. It connects two related sentences into one sentence, so I just have two separate sentences.

IT wrote:

J wrote:

dondada wrote:'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 ;)

haha ooops better fight tho!

RScarf1 wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:I'm a great speller but I wouldn't know a semi colon from a comma if it knocked me out.

I don't recall ever using a semicolon. It connects two related sentences into one sentence, so I just have two separate sentences.

Kurt Vonnegut wasn't a fan either: "They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've been to college."

J wrote:

IT wrote:

J wrote:
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 ;)

haha ooops better fight tho!

Haha, true that.

Dixonian wrote:

RScarf1 wrote:

SaadOffTheDeck wrote:I'm a great speller but I wouldn't know a semi colon from a comma if it knocked me out.

I don't recall ever using a semicolon. It connects two related sentences into one sentence, so I just have two separate sentences.

Kurt Vonnegut wasn't a fan either: "They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've


http://strangewondrous.net/browse/subject/s/semicolon

Loynesy wrote:

Dixonian wrote:

RScarf1 wrote:
I don't recall ever using a semicolon. It connects two related sentences into one sentence, so I just have two separate sentences.

Kurt Vonnegut wasn't a fan either: "They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've


http://strangewondrous.net/browse/subject/s/semicolon

I wish Gertrude would use colons.

Dixonian wrote:

Loynesy wrote:

Dixonian wrote:

Kurt Vonnegut wasn't a fan either: "They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've


http://strangewondrous.net/browse/subject/s/semicolon

I wish Gertrude would use colons.

Ironically, she died of colon cancer.....

dondada wrote:'Y'all must have forgot!'

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

I haven't, mate. We had some good times, some good debates (arguments or whathaveyou) over a few things and despite going our seperate ways have tried to stay in touch. I hope you come back at some point.

Most of my time is spent reading old newspaper articles from 1960 onwards, so I tend to read the people who send stuff through for Britishboxers: John Evans, Danny Flexen, who joined a few weeks ago, Chris Walker, Shaun Brown and, soon, John Angus MacDonald. I'd like to think that I helped blood a few writers through BS and Luke Byron and Chris Williams have both gone on to produce content for Boxing Monthly recently.

It is hard, and is getting harder (but that is enough about my private life) due to the fact that fewer and fewer first timers pick up the phone and interview boxers. John Evans and I have tried to encourage this, but it is not for everyone. It is a shame as it is the best way to adapt, improve and learn.

I've been at it since 2005, it is not easy and it is all about finding the right place and the right people. I was hugely priviliged to write for BM during two seperate stints and am about to begin a second stint with BN (agreed in principle with Matt, I now need to pull my finger out and hope my work passes muster for them) so that helps keep things fresh. Being able to laugh at yourself and the sport is always a big help.

I don't know if the OP wants to give it a bash, if so here are three articles about the actual writing side of things that for one reason or another has given the "self-styled custodians on boxing" the right arse, so I am happy with that (if anyone wants to join in then click on the Write For Us link or Dm me):

Dooley Noted: The Old Man And The News (on churnalism and promoters wanting to control pretty much everything) http://www.britishboxers.co.uk/2017/02/ ... -the-news/

Chris Walker: "Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy ('Son of a Scrapman from a South Liverpool Ghetto. Author of boxing's untold stories.' Walks discusses his rise from tea and toast with the Dodson's to BN regular) http://www.britishboxers.co.uk/2017/03/20062/

5am Boxing Writer's Blues: Shaun Brown on finally settling down and his road to a job in journalism http://www.britishboxers.co.uk/2017/03/ ... ers-blues/

Sorry for the plugs, writing about so-called boxing writing isn't for everyone, but all three of us had to get something off our chests at roughly the same time.

PS Translation "self-styled custodians on boxing"=A few arseheads on Twitter.

Loynesy wrote:

Dixonian wrote:

Loynesy wrote:
Kurt Vonnegut wasn't a fan either: "They are transvestite hermaphrodites representing absolutely nothing. All they do is show you've


http://strangewondrous.net/browse/subject/s/semicolon

I wish Gertrude would use colons.

Ironically, she died of colon cancer.....

Poor ol' Gertrude.

veriton wrote:

dbflex wrote:

veriton wrote:

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.

His dad was there for the entirety and there was no indication they were at odds. And he sees his kid regularly just not as much as when he lived with her mum and it's less during training camp. When you visit a fighter for a day you get a snapshot then you attempt to add context and fill in the blanks - but on a weekly title it's hard to be as investigative as you might like. Points taken, though.