Danny Who? of Boxing News?

[Glyn Leach]

and many are doing blogs which is good.

Any decent ones you've come across?

Jim Watt and Glenn McCrory write some interesting stuff on the Sky Sports website. Woth checking out now and again.

Do they though? Are you sure? And would they own up if they didn't? I can't comment on Watt and McCrory specifically because I don't know, but on a wider scale regarding celebrity sportsperson columnists, being interviewed by someone who writes it down in article form is not the same as writing an article, despite what some would tell you. Neither, for that matter, is sending a load of garbage to an editor who has to make it read.

[oliverfennell]

Reminds me of the time some people questioned Heraclitus's ability to philosophise simply because they caught him making a cup of tea. Well, it doesn't remind me of it, I wasn't there at the time, but yer get me gist. I don't think it is applicable either, bugger.

Aye, I remember it well. Doesn't everybody?

[MightyWarrior]

It's all about if you can write well, and have the knowledge to back it up - that's all BN are on the look out for.
Used to buy it every week without fail, but stopped a few years ago. It's all a bit bland now to be honest - the writers they had in the 80's were absolute World Class - the best of the best: Mullan, Houston, Tim Mo..that's a hell of a high standard to live up to.

Where did the dodgy PacMan "report" appear - on his blog, not in BN I hope?

[Autobarn]

Do they though? Are you sure? And would they own up if they didn't? I can't comment on Watt and McCrory specifically because I don't know, but on a wider scale regarding celebrity sportsperson columnists, being interviewed by someone who writes it down in article form is not the same as writing an article, despite what some would tell you. Neither, for that matter, is sending a load of garbage to an editor who has to make it read.

sometimes they can be informative. a lot of times they are just plugging upcoming Sky fights. Glenn's columns certainly aren't edited to professional standard. Like I say, worth checking now & again, not all the time. They've probably written it, logged on and put it on the site manually, with no editor in the interval.

I didn't much like the Calzaghe & Hopkins article in the Ring where each made a case for winning. It's obvious they didn't write 'em & was very predictable.

Have you had a hard time piecing stuff together written by a fighter?

[Poncey]

It's all about if you can write well, and have the knowledge to back it up - that's all BN are on the look out for.
Used to buy it every week without fail, but stopped a few years ago. It's all a bit bland now to be honest - the writers they had in the 80's were absolute World Class - the best of the best: Mullan, Houston, Tim Mo..that's a hell of a high standard to live up to.

Where did the dodgy PacMan "report" appear - on his blog, not in BN I hope?

I hope not, it's less of an issue for a website but if it's for a publication that the public actually pays for.....

That was my only gripe with the lad. I'm sure he's a nice fella, but I would expect a film journalist to have seen the film they review.

[oliverfennell]

It's all about if you can write well, and have the knowledge to back it up - that's all BN are on the look out for.
Used to buy it every week without fail, but stopped a few years ago. It's all a bit bland now to be honest - the writers they had in the 80's were absolute World Class - the best of the best: Mullan, Houston, Tim Mo..that's a hell of a high standard to live up to.

Where did the dodgy PacMan "report" appear - on his blog, not in BN I hope?

I hope not, it's less of an issue for a website but if it's for a publication that the public actually pays for.....

That was my only gripe with the lad. I'm sure he's a nice fella, but I would expect a film journalist to have seen the film they review.

Johnny Vaughan has been busted for not actually watching most of the films he reviewed for The Sun.

[johnty1888]

Danny Flexen responds....................

http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/BN08/detail.asp?id=558

[m1kee50]

this has all got a bit out of hand

[Asterix]

Didn't only a select few people have negative things to say? It's not like he's really received a bashing from here. With anyone in prominence in the boxing industry, you'll find someone on a large forum that is unhappy with them in some way. I mean, look at John Duddy and Wlad Klitschko; such nice guys yet they still have people bad-mouthing them.

Anyway, the issue is hopefully over now. It's given Danny Flexen a bit of exposure though, which is good for him.

[oliverfennell]

He didn't really answer that much, though, did he?

How does "two years on local newspapers" get you into Boxing News? Surely not that on its own. Its not exactly difficult to find THOUSANDS of people who've done two years on local newspapers, is it! There must be something else, as it's hellishly competitive to get a staff role on a major sports magazine. I'm not having a go here, I've got no problem with the guy, it's just the question largely remains. I thought of it back when he got the job, and now it's been raised here, and he has addressed it without actually answering it, it just makes it more intriguing!

[Autobarn]

He didn't really answer that much, though, did he?

How does "two years on local newspapers" get you into Boxing News? Surely not that on its own. Its not exactly difficult to find THOUSANDS of people who've done two years on local newspapers, is it! There must be something else, as it's hellishly competitive to get a staff role on a major sports magazine. I'm not having a go here, I've got no problem with the guy, it's just the question largely remains. I thought of it back when he got the job, and now it's been raised here, and he has addressed it without actually answering it, it just makes it more intriguing!

Well, if he can write, knows about boxing, and has web design skills, you'd think that he'd have the right combination of assets. Claude did stress the importance of web design skills so maybe Danny comes from that area also. A young writer with eagerness can be good for a editor. Sometimes established writers have egos that get in the way, won't let their work be edited, and maybe ask for too much money.

[whatashambles]

And I explained about the Thomas Hauser comment.

Why is he so coy about his experience or making a big deal about it. Ron Lewis over at The Times explains his history in the business and how he got to where he was and no one is asking him.
But to question Boxing News' new writer who has appeared out of nowhere is perfectly normal. When Tris Dixon was brought on board Abrams made a point of talking about him in his opening column. I bet if Rafa Benitez bought a new player for Liverpool, Flexen would want to know all about his past.
As for getting criticism surely that is something you come to expect. One person called him an arsehole and he gets all tetchy about it.
Maybe he should be grateful that we actually read his stuff and pay for his wages by buying the magazine every week.

[Coco]

And I explained about the Thomas Hauser comment.

Why is he so coy about his experience or making a big deal about it. Ron Lewis over at The Times explains his history in the business and how he got to where he was and no one is asking him.
But to question Boxing News' new writer who has appeared out of nowhere is perfectly normal. When Tris Dixon was brought on board Abrams made a point of talking about him in his opening column. I bet if Rafa Benitez bought a new player for Liverpool, Flexen would want to know all about his past.
As for getting criticism surely that is something you come to expect. One person called him an arsehole and he gets all tetchy about it.
Maybe he should be grateful that we actually read his stuff and pay for his wages by buying the magazine every week.

It seems like someone touched a raw nerve. I hope he does post on here more though, he would be a good addition and will earn a lot of respect for fighting his corner on here rather than in his ivory tower of a blog

[E]

Danny Flexen?

Danny Who?

All of a sudden this kid thinks he is god's gift to boxing, who the f&^k is he?

Has anyone seen his blog? First he was slagging off Birmingham saying he didn't care if he wasn't going, now he's moaning about Steve Saville being an opponent for Golden Boy Sid even though he's 16 and 4, then goes onto to say Siddique has to fight someone decent and then names Gary Reid who is not exactly a world beater

Bring back the Connolly's this kid is an absolute arsehole who's knowledge of boxing could be written on the back of a 2nd class stamp.

Maybe he should have cut his teeth with seconds out he's about their level, he probably thinks Roman Greenberg is good too!

How long before he gets a smack in the teeth, he's probably already being targetted in Wigan tonight especially as Sid and Saville are both on the card!!

Forgot to ask - are you Steve or Tony Connolly???? I guess Steve; as he seems to have had more of a chip on his shoulder...

[dbflex]

I replied from my "Ivory Tower" of a blog to make more people read the blog...I would have thought that was obvious. As for this obsession with where I come from, I did go into that in more detail but there are some aspects our company would not be happy with me revealing (about our internal processes, not about me).
I merely wanted to emphasise that criticism should be based purely on whether my writing is any good or not, but if there's anything you despereately want to know, go ahead and ask. can't promise I'll be able to answer but if I can, I will.

[Glyn Leach]

How about just leave the fella to get on with it eh? He'll sink or swim regardless of whether where he came from meets your criteria. It's about what he does next, not what he did last. Give him a break

[DavidPayne]

Amen.

[DavidPayne]

Amen to what Glyn said.

[Poncey]

[quote="DavidPayne]Amen.[/quote]

Amen to what Glyn said.

Do you have split personality disorder?

[DavidPayne]

No, just some git posted in between and left me looking like a twat. Rarley needs intervention for that....but just wanted to be clear, give Flexen a chance.

[MightyWarrior]

Danny, yes we do moderate here, as you do get the occasional nutter cropping up, but didn't see much to moderate on this thread to be honest...ok it was a bit of a stinging attack there, but you got some positive stuff as well - and I'm sure you know, you've got to expect that sort of thing when you stick your neck out haven't you.

Like the BN website BTW, long overdue. Liked the Errol Christe piece, who wrote it??

[dbflex]

That would be the work of the talented Mr Dixon, and thanks for the comments on the site. The recent relaunch is just the beginning however. As for the criticism, it seems to be getting progressively tamer. I "don't know much?" apparently. That really is stinging lol. Thanks Glyn also, hopefully I'll swim.

[DavidPayne]

Common sense usually prevails around here. Usually.

[chris s]

Lay off the guy.

What is the problem with some people.

Did they go for the job and not get it.

[Poncey]

Impression I get from Danny, Teddy, is that he does love the sport. Otherwise he wouldn't come on here and speak to people about it. A lot of people wouldn't do that, and you have to admire it. Whether they do it for free or for a hamper of cheese.

Doing the small bits and bobs I do I respect fight journalists a great deal for the amount of work it takes to get to a fight, sit at a fight and record every little thing that happens, trying to interview people and get quotes between fights, whilst trying to watch the fight as well. Then you have a deadline to get it on-line asap.

It's even harder for the small hall fights where you don't have the reliance on TV to validate what you've recorded.