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FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 08:29
by Wrists
Just a quick note to say I have enjoyed reading some of his stuff recently and that he should be proud of his time at BN.
When I first read some of his stuff I wasn't bowled over but have to say (IMO as much as that means) he has become a very good writer.
Good luck in your new role Danny.
PS. Still need a haircut

Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 08:32
by Deserter
Wrists wrote:Good luck in your new role Danny.
Which is what?
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 08:44
by Wrists
Deputy editor at Fighting Fit.
I like his recent BN stuff, will be a miss although apparently is still going to contribute
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 08:50
by Captain Hook
He's better than when he started, a lot better....
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 08:52
by Wrists
Agreed - to the point where I think his recent stuff is excellent.
The Shane Mosley piece today a case in point.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:16
by Poncey
I agree, but my hardon is the advert to content ratio. However, well done Dan.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:28
by palooka
I always had the feeling that Mens Health etc were a bit of gay lite porn for men who fancied other men but couldn't buy a proper gay paper; (not being a troll, always thought it).
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:28
by Deserter
I'm really surprised Newsquest aren't doubling up on and still expecting him to contribute to BN given the pressures on their bottom line these days.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:30
by Deserter
simon fox wrote:I always had the feeling that Mens Health etc were a bit of gay lite porn for men who fancied other men but couldn't buy a proper gay paper; (not being a troll, always thought it).
The 'Pink Pound' has always been a factor in Men's Health's success, but not a major one. These days it's far more a lifestyle publication and the amount of pure fitness content (including the bare-chested men!) has been dramatically reduced. Core readership is middle-class guys who'd grown out of the lads' mag sh*t.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:30
by Chambers2
I don't read BN (or any other boxing mag), so I only know him from on here, but he seems a good bloke and have enjoyed his interviews with some of the lesser known boxers. Good Luck Danny!
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:31
by dondada
Deserter wrote:I'm really surprised Newsquest aren't doubling up on and still expecting him to contribute to BN given the pressures on their bottom line these days.
I'd be amazed if this isn't the case.
What I'd say is that, as you know Deserter, the lads on a weekly mag like BN have to get through a boatload of work. They certainly earn their holidays.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:33
by Deserter
Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Deserter wrote:I'm really surprised Newsquest aren't doubling up on and still expecting him to contribute to BN given the pressures on their bottom line these days.
I'd be amazed if this isn't the case.
What I'd say is that, as you know Deserter, the lads on a weekly mag like BN have to get through a boatload of work. They certainly earn their holidays.
Very true Ian. I've done dailies, weeklies and monthlies, and contrary to what people might think, it's the weeklies that break you...
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:35
by 15829
all the best danny

Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:39
by palooka
Deserter wrote:Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:Deserter wrote:I'm really surprised Newsquest aren't doubling up on and still expecting him to contribute to BN given the pressures on their bottom line these days.
I'd be amazed if this isn't the case.
What I'd say is that, as you know Deserter, the lads on a weekly mag like BN have to get through a boatload of work. They certainly earn their holidays.
Very true Ian. I've done dailies, weeklies and monthlies, and contrary to what people might think, it's the weeklies that break you...
I can imagine that the deadline pressures are strong + results (sales) are collated quickly so there must be a real high/low feel to the job. It must be stressful but a good feeling to be a part of.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 09:49
by Deserter
simon fox wrote:Deserter wrote:Ian 'Mr' McNeilly wrote:
I'd be amazed if this isn't the case.
What I'd say is that, as you know Deserter, the lads on a weekly mag like BN have to get through a boatload of work. They certainly earn their holidays.
Very true Ian. I've done dailies, weeklies and monthlies, and contrary to what people might think, it's the weeklies that break you...
I can imagine that the deadline pressures are strong + results (sales) are collated quickly so there must be a real high/low feel to the job. It must be stressful but a good feeling to be a part of.
It's all about cycles Simon - on a daily, you've got no choice to have a well-oiled machine as you're hitting deadlines throughout the day/evening, so everything is high-paced but relatively smooth.
On a monthly, you'll have a crazy period in the run up to press at the end of the cycle with late nights etc, but if most editorial teams are honest, the following week will witness a very leisurely pace as everyone steps off the gas and enjoys a bit of down-time before it all picks up again.
On weeklies, that same pattern is repeated, but is massively compressed, so it's generally more chaotic than a daily, and just as fast-paced, without the luxury of the type of down-time a monthly can afford you.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 14:08
by whiskey
Never read Fighting Fit.
Whats it about then ?
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 14:13
by Deserter
G0mez wrote:Never read Fighting Fit.
Whats it about then ?
Imagine Men's Fitness, but with an overwhelming bias towards boxing and MMA-related training - techniques, fitness routines etc.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 14:13
by Asterix
G0mez wrote:Never read Fighting Fit.
Whats it about then ?
You're good with computers. You should know!
http://www.fightingfitmagazine.com/
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 14:15
by dbflex
G0mez wrote:Never read Fighting Fit.
Whats it about then ?
Talk about inviting a sales pitch. Well... It's a training and conditioning magazine rwgarding boxers and mixed martial artists. Science, interviews, nutrition, training pkans etc, every month. We are meeting Froch tomorrow for a piece in Nottingham.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 14:31
by Dan Dares
dbflex wrote:G0mez wrote:Never read Fighting Fit.
Whats it about then ?
Talk about inviting a sales pitch. Well... It's a training and conditioning magazine rwgarding boxers and mixed martial artists. Science, interviews, nutrition, training pkans etc, every month. We are meeting Froch tomorrow for a piece in Nottingham.
Is the article going to be about boxing?
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 14:38
by dbflex
Dan Dares wrote:dbflex wrote:G0mez wrote:Never read Fighting Fit.
Whats it about then ?
Talk about inviting a sales pitch. Well... It's a training and conditioning magazine rwgarding boxers and mixed martial artists. Science, interviews, nutrition, training pkans etc, every month. We are meeting Froch tomorrow for a piece in Nottingham.
Is the article going to be about boxing?
yes, technique
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 14:53
by Dan Dares
Stick it in boxing news then. I'm not reading anything thats got stuff about MMA, protein drinks, spray tans etc
Seriously though, all the best in your new role.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 07 Apr 2011, 15:27
by whiskey
dbflex wrote:G0mez wrote:Never read Fighting Fit.
Whats it about then ?
Talk about inviting a sales pitch. Well... It's a training and conditioning magazine rwgarding boxers and mixed martial artists. Science, interviews, nutrition, training pkans etc, every month. We are meeting Froch tomorrow for a piece in Nottingham.
If you put 20 Marlborough on the front I might pick up a copy then Dan.
Since my son was born, my trips down to Liberty gym have been cut short. Just as well 'cos Froch would cave my ribs in most weekends.
Will grab a copy.
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 08 Apr 2011, 04:46
by tonyevs
simon fox wrote:I always had the feeling that Mens Health etc were a bit of gay lite porn for men who fancied other men but couldn't buy a proper gay paper; (not being a troll, always thought it).
Agreed.
Surprised also that enough people are buying it. I expected it to have disapeared by now ... like the other BN spin offs.
Good luck to Danny Flexen though ...will he be growing a moustach now?
Re: FLexen - leaving BN sort of..................
Posted: 08 Apr 2011, 07:32
by veriton
To be fair to Fighting Fit, it isn't really like that and I have been a reader from the start.
There are a lot of interviews with boxers/fighters and also a good section where Flexen and his minions try out different gyms/codes and invariably get flogged to the point of almost certain death.
The product reviews are even-handed and they do tend to tip towards the natural, cheaper and harder way of doing things. Can't remember them going for the potions and powders too much.
Often you will see a small interview/news piece in BN about a boxer and then they will go big with it in FF from a different angle. Some of the techinical stuff is interesting - although it can be a bit dry - but I like to read about and see training from different perspectives so it is worth sticking with it.
But things can be improved.
Here are some of the things I would like to see:
More focus on young fighters coming through instead of established stars (they did one on a judo? lad not so long ago that was good)
The ''from the editor'' at the start really needs to be spruced up...it's far too lightweight.
How about a reader's page of how they got/are getting fit (ok, this might be slipping into homo territory with pictures but could still be interesting)
Should try to have relevant articles not totally dedicated to fighting...eg on long-distance runners on how they get to the top. Fell-running and stuff like that would be good to read.