The Ring (magazine)

The Ring (magazine)
source
Title	The Ring
Frequency	Monthly
Category	Boxing
Firstdate	1922
Country	United States
Language	English

The Ring (magazine). Known as "The Bible of Boxing," it is one of the oldest and most respected publications dedicated to the sport of boxing. Founded in 1922 by Nat Fleischer, the magazine has served as a historical record, a championship sanctioning body, and a cultural touchstone for the sport. Its annual awards, particularly the prestigious Fighter of the Year award, are considered among the highest honors a boxer can receive.

History

The magazine was established in 1922 by Nat Fleischer, a noted boxing historian and writer, with early financial backing from famed Tex Rickard, the promoter behind the construction of the third Madison Square Garden. Initially published as a monthly, it quickly gained a reputation for authoritative coverage and fight film reviews. Following Fleischer's death in 1972, the publication was owned by his family until it was sold to Bert Randolph Sugar, a flamboyant editor who became its public face. After financial difficulties, it was purchased by London-based publisher Stanley Weston in the 1980s, who later sold it to Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC, the current owner. Its editorial offices have been based in New York City and Philadelphia.

Championship recognition

For much of its history, the magazine maintained its own world championship rankings, which were historically considered the most authoritative in the sport, predating the modern alphabet soup of sanctioning bodies like the WBC, WBA, and IBF. A fighter recognized as champion was said to have won "the Ring magazine championship." The magazine's championship policy was traditionally strict, typically requiring a fighter to defeat the reigning champion or win an elimination bout between the top two contenders. This policy was revised in the 2000s under editor Nigel Collins to be more active, though it has since been tightened again to maintain its prestige.

Current champions

As of the most recent rankings, champions recognized include notable fighters across the sport's weight classes. In the heavyweight division, champions have included modern greats like Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk. Other current and recent titleholders across divisions include fighters such as Naoya Inoue at bantamweight, Terence Crawford at welterweight, and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez in the middleweight and super middleweight divisions. The magazine's rankings are updated monthly and are closely followed by fans, analysts, and participants in the sport.

Awards

The magazine presents several annual awards, the most coveted being the Fighter of the Year award, first given in 1928 to Gene Tunney. Other major awards include Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year, Upset of the Year, and Trainer of the Year. These awards are historically significant, with past winners reading as a who's who of boxing history, including Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Roberto Durán, and Manny Pacquiao. The awards ceremony is often held in Las Vegas or Los Angeles in conjunction with major fight events.

Controversies

The magazine's championship policy and rankings have occasionally been sources of debate. Critics have accused its rankings of bias, particularly during eras when it was seen as too closely aligned with specific promoters like Bob Arum and Don King. The decision to sometimes leave a championship vacant for long periods, or conversely to award it for a disputed fight, has drawn scrutiny. Furthermore, its sale to corporate owners led to concerns about editorial independence from the broader business interests of boxing promotion. High-profile disputes over its champion, such as in the light heavyweight division involving Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward, have fueled these controversies.

Influence and legacy

Its influence on boxing culture is profound, having shaped the narrative of the sport for over a century. Its covers are iconic, often featuring legendary fighters like Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, and Mike Tyson. The phrase "Ring Magazine Fight of the Year" is synonymous with epic battles such as Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier (the Thrilla in Manila) and Diego Corrales vs. José Luis Castillo. It remains a primary research source for historians and journalists, and its continued publication is a testament to the enduring appeal of prizefighting. The magazine also maintains a digital presence and a Hall of Fame, ensuring its legacy endures in the modern era. Category:Boxing magazines Category:American sports magazines Category:Publications established in 1922