Don't miss out on all the breaking boxing news. Sign up for FREE now.
On the anniversary of Manny Pacquiao dishing out a brutal knockout to Ricky Hatton explores the complexities and cruelty of the boxing mismatch
Lennox Lewis, Eric Morales and Mike Tyson all feature in Alex Reid’s countdown of the six most tantalising fights we could have seen in boxing in the last 25 years – but never did
Ricky Hatton predicts Tyson Fury will win back all his world titles
On June 4, 2005 Ricky Hatton enjoyed his greatest victory against the brilliant Kostya Tszyu. Here’s Claude Abrams original ringside report
Nathan Gorman has been inside Tyson Fury’s training camp as he prepares for Sean Turner. Speaking to Jack Figg, he reveals where Tyson Fury is at ahead of comeback
Manny Pacquiao landed probably his greatest punch in 2009
Floyd Mayweather turns 41 today. We profile ‘Money’ Mayweather as he enjoys life as an ex-boxer
When it comes to nurturing his own son as a boxer, Ricky Hatton isn’t going to follow the Eubank way
Ricky Hatton condemns the prospect of Floyd Mayweather fighting in the UFC
Ricky Hatton considers what would have happened if Tyson Fury had fought Joshua straight after Klitschko and how he will fare on his comeback
Ricky Hatton began his unforgettable Las Vegas adventure on January 20, 2007, writes Matt Bevan
In an exclusive interview Ricky Hatton recalls when Floyd Mayweather threw $100 bills on his table
The 10 most notable fights for British boxers in Las Vegas
George Gigney speaks to key figures and explores boxing’s developing relationship with mental health
Ricky Hatton discusses the highs and lows of his career with Tris Dixon
Floyd Mayweather’s mind games are also particularly good, points out Ricky Hatton
How did Conor McGregor fare as an amateur boxer Crumlin boxing club all those years ago?
But he won’t. In an exclusive interview with John Dennen Ricky Hatton explains why McGregor isn’t going to upset Floyd Mayweather
Ricky Hatton tells John Dennen that Manny Pacquiao has nothing left to prove
Boxing News sits at the heart of the boxing scene. We want to share with you our passion by guiding you through the world of boxing, share our ringside seats and experiences, to listen to your opinions as we form our own, and to retain the integrity and excitement that seduces boxing fans around the world.
Boxing News was founded in 1909 by original editor John Murray as, simply, Boxing. Murray had been a regular contributor to Health & Strength magazine and convinced its owner, Bill Berry (later Lord Camrose) to launch a weekly magazine dedicated solely to boxing. It is believed Murray had been inspired by Jack Johnson beating Tommy Burns to become the first black World heavyweight champion. In his first editorial, Murray stated, "Boxing will stand for good clean sport. Its success of failure is in the hands of those who believe in sport of this character. Our energies will be devoted to giving the best paper that time, thought and money can devise." When circulation began to decline in the depression days of the late 20s, the name of the magazine was changed to Boxing, Racing and Football. In October 1931, the paper was sold to a syndicate of London sportsmen, who installed Sydney Rushton, a long-time London fight reporter, as the new editor. The layout changed, the page size was increased and Rushton proved less popular than Murray. The paper was again put up for sale and, while waiting for a buyer, the old features were reinstated and there was no official Editor. Another set of sportsmen bought the paper and Godfrey Williams was named editor. He attempted to run Boxing as a newspaper, cutting popular features and reducing news stories down to the shortest possible length. The circulation quickly dropped to its lowest ever.
Billy Masters, a city printer and huge boxing fan, saved the paper, appointing W.H. Millier as the new editor. He completely reinvigorated the magazine, helped in no small measure by its first colour cover. In 1935, Millier departed and the owner replaced him with Sydney Ackland, who had previously worked as John Murray's assistant editor and had been taught by him. World War II brought many changes as first Sydney, then replacement Stanley Nelson, contributed to the war effort. Murray made a popular comeback as editor but ill health forced him to step down in 1941. Gilbert Odd took over until the building housing the paper was destroyed by the enemy. Odd was then called up for national service and both Masters and Murray served further terms. Now with the new name of Boxing News, the paper was bought by Australian publicist Vivian Brodzky and former promoter Sydney Hulls. Northern sports writer Bert Callis was the new editor. Odd took over for a second term upon Callis' retirement. Odd implemented the tradition of reporting the results and fighters' weights for every single fight in the country. When Odd quit to write books, he was succeeded by Jack Wilson and then Tim Riley. When Brodzky died, Boxing News was sold twice in quick succession, and Graham Houston became editor in 1971, immediately broadening the range of coverage, especially in North America. Houston left in 1977 to work on morning newspapers in Canada. This prompted the appointment of perhaps BN's greatest Editor of recent years, Harry Mullan. Circulation increased exponentially during the Mullan years, which doubled as a time of great change in the boxing world. Most notable new developments were the proliferation of 'world' titles and the increase in the number of major British promoters. Mullan was fiercely principled and tremendously well respected in the boxing fraternity. When Mullan left in October 1996, he was given this glowing tribute from then BN Publisher Peter Kravitz: "His writing stands comparison with the Lieblings, Hausers and Mailers of this century of boxing." Assistant Editor Claude Abrams succeeded Mullan in November 1996. Boxing News was redesigned and switched to a full-colour format and become more extensive in content. In March 1999 the paper went to A3 size before reverting to A4, and increasing in size to 48 pages (from 24) in September 2005. The magazine remained the main trade paper in Britain. Abrams left BN – after 22 years – in December 2009, just three months after the publication celebrated its centenary, and was succeeded as editor by Tris Dixon.
Tris left the magazine in December 2014, with Matt Christie taking over as editor.
