THE notion of being ‘ringside’, particularly at a big stadium fight, can be a falsehood. Doctors, judges, trainers, timekeepers and inspectors are generally the only ones who can really claim to be immediately beside the ring – with the lead broadcasters’ commentary team generally close enough too. However, the Boxing News reporter is usually in a privileged position, if not always strictly where your ringside byline insinuates you were.
When representing BN efforts are made to be in our seat before the sound of the opening bell. This involves: Not being late, working out where the media entrance is, successfully identifying yourself to the person manning the accreditation desk, having your bag checked, navigating a winding corridor or two, and hoping that the burly security guard blocking the route to the seats on the ground floor has been briefed on the media seating situation.
“What area are you in?” the burly security guard questions, observing as you present your wristband and try to convey that you hold a significant status.
“I am currently situated in media, row two, on the ground floor of area B.”
“What I think you need to do is go back down that way,” burly security guard says while pointing in the opposite direction to where you know you need to be, which is just behind his right shoulder. “Go up those stairs, through the double doors at the top, keep walking until you see the burger stand, turn left and keep going until you pass the gents, get in the lift on your right, go to floor six, ask for Benny, he’s a lovely bloke, and he’ll be able to show you to your seat.”
“Gotcha.”
After the journey is finished and you have unpacked your laptop, notebook, and pen, the reward of being at ‘ringside’ is usually worth the effort.
The amplified sounds of punches are sometimes disturbingly intense. As the fight progresses, the boxers’ grunts and groans become louder, the trainers’ pleas more desperate, and you notice cuts or bruises earlier than on television. The atmosphere on the floor is unparalleled, and the admiration for the fighters’ skills and sacrifices can be overwhelming. And, most excitingly, you may even collect a few drops of blood on your notebook as a boxing reporter’s ultimate memento.
I remember one such incident in June 2010 at York Hall – a venue when you really can be ringside and where finding one’s seat is significantly simpler – when I sat with my former BN colleague John Dennen at a Steve Goodwin show that, looking back at it on paper, may seem a somewhat unremarkable card. Consisting of five four-threes and three six-twos, all of which were matched with victory in mind for the home fighter, it was the kind of affair that a pup reporter must regularly endure as a rite of passage.
To my surprise, there were three extremely intense battles on the card. In one of them, Danny Dontchev received a deep cut on his forehead, causing blood to spray onto my glasses. Another memorable moment was when the crowd threw coins into the ring, a tradition known as ‘nobbins’, to show their appreciation for the thrilling draw between Chris Brophy and John “The Don” Brennan (I still wonder if Brennan’s nickname is a tribute to a deranged character from Coronation Street in the 1980s). The third unforgettable encounter was when Ryan Clark, a seasoned fighter whom I would later become acquainted with, gave prospect Michael Norgrove a tough time before narrowly losing on the scorecard. These fights left a lasting impression on me, as I couldn’t help but feel the isolation of the fighters and the eerie nature of witnessing violence on such a grand stage up close.
The fight on the bill was not as noteworthy, but it did showcase an unusual closeness that one rarely experiences at ringside: a boxer who emitted an odor suggesting they had not bathed for weeks. I couldn’t help but wonder if the nauseating smell was intended to unsettle his opponent, just as it was unsettling me. The match was a dismal event and, as Mr. Dennen pointed out, it thoroughly spoiled the atmosphere.
Despite its size, York Hall is still considered one of the top spots to catch a boxing match. The unique aspect of this venue is that no matter where you choose to sit or stand, the experience is akin to being right on the ring apron. If, by any chance, you haven’t had the chance to witness the magic of this extraordinary Bethnal Green location, I highly recommend making it a priority.
At larger events among the media, a sense of camaraderie prevails. Some prefer to keep to themselves, focusing solely on the action and the task at hand. Others, less experienced in such events, continuously provide commentary throughout the evening, attempting to showcase their knowledge by pointing out the tactics one boxer should be using against another. However, their inability to contain their wisdom can quickly become annoying. Nevertheless, there are moments when even the most experienced individuals cannot control their emotions. The remarkable fight between Anthony Joshua and Wladmir Klitschko serves as a prime example. When Joshua was knocked down in the sixth round, profanities filled the air as practically everyone lost their composure.
On April 29, 2017, in London, England, Joshua and Klitschko engaged in a fierce fight at Wembley Stadium (Richard Heathcote/Getty Images).
It was drummed into me early that Boxing News must always be impartial. So even if the fighter you interviewed last week is doing the business in the ring, one with whom something of a rapport has been built, it’s a huge no-no to cheer. There are times, however, when it feels almost rude not to show some form of appreciation for the efforts put forth in front of your eyes. In September 2010, when Ricky Burns emerged from an early crisis to take the fight to big pre-fight favourite Roman Martinez inside a cauldron-like Kelvin Hall in Glasgow, I suddenly found myself on my feet without any memory of standing up. Sometimes, fights will just get you like that.
Knowing when to take notes or type can be the most challenging part of being a ringside reporter. In the past, I would try to document every significant blow, resulting in numerous pages of notes for a report that would ultimately only contain a short paragraph. Nowadays, it’s important to have a notebook and shorthand techniques readily available. This allows me to quickly jot down important details without diverting my attention from the action, and then take more thoughtful observations during breaks in the action.
While it is not an exact science, it is important to acknowledge that even experienced print journalists can sometimes miss important details, such as the exact punch that led to a knockdown, due to their focus on writing. It is fair to question their accuracy in such cases. As someone who has both asked and been asked countless times whether a specific punch was a left or right hand, it is clear that there is room for uncertainty. This is why those who sit at ringside in press seats and later vehemently disagree with the judges’ decisions should perhaps consider tempering their outrage.
However, there are times when certain scores can be incredibly confusing to us all. It is not uncommon for the media to come to a consensus on the winner of a close fight, but occasionally, opinions can be divided right down the middle. Every now and then, you may find yourself in the minority, completely alone in your viewpoint. This is exactly how I felt when I attended the first Andre Ward-Sergey Kovalev bout and made the mistake of sharing my belief with the American reporter next to me that Ward deserved to win, just like two of the judges thought. Instantly, he reacted as though I was arguing that the world was flat, and he urged his friends to treat me with the same contempt. “Can you believe this fool?” he laughed.
Fortunately, encountering such unpleasant company is a rare occurrence. The ringside is a valuable setting to gain insights from others’ experiences. In the intervals between fights, if one is fortunate enough to be seated beside someone who has been through it all, it is wise to take the opportunity to listen if they are willing to share. Some of my most cherished discussions have taken place with esteemed journalists and broadcasters such as Thomas Hauser, Donald McRae, Larry Merchant, Steve Bunce, Jim Lampley, Mike Costello, Colin Hart, Ron Lewis, Kevin Mitchell, Alan Hubbard, Ed Robinson, Graham Houston, and Jack Obermayer, all beside the boxing ring. This sacred space is where secrets are revealed and conversations with both boxers and trainers, whether in jubilation or disappointment, can offer the most enlightening quotes for an article. It is also where enduring friendships can be forged, thanks to the camaraderie that comes with being part of the boxing world.
However, what truly matters is what unfolds inside the boxing ring. It is crucial to always remember that, at any given moment, you may bear witness to something truly extraordinary. Ward’s skills left a lasting impression on me – he was truly remarkable. Another fighter who brought immense pleasure was Floyd Mayweather. Observing him in action was an absolute delight. Furthermore, there is a unique thrill in witnessing a showdown in Las Vegas after a week filled with intense fights. The anticipation during the fighters’ entrances is indescribable, especially when one of them passes by so closely that the desire to initiate a fist bump becomes almost irresistible.
One of the most memorable moments of my time at ringside took place at the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York. Vasiliy Lomachenko’s incredible skill and precision in defeating Guillermo Rigondeaux left a lasting impression on me. Thanks to Jack Hirsch’s help, I was able to secure my accreditation at the last minute. As a result, I found myself at a makeshift desk near the ring, enjoying more space than usual. The intensity of the fight was captivating, making it feel like a theatrical performance. Unlike other times at ringside, where the experience is shared among many spectators, watching King Loma’s dominance that night felt incredibly personal and exclusive to me.
The essence of life lies in the memories of the past and the dreams of the future, making the present moment so transient that it becomes difficult to fully appreciate. However, when we find ourselves right at the center of the action, or even just a few rows away, the exhilarating feeling of truly living in the present becomes incredibly prominent.
