Is independent journalism taking over boxing?

[Tedkidlewis]

I'll always be a big fan of the boxing websites especially this one and all the old school writers but as a huge fight fan for the last 15 years, I find myself less and less reading articles and instead listening to the views of the new blood that are hungry, that use YouTube and social media to ask the questions that the fans want answered....
Here's a few things I have been thinking about...

Are fans taking over the sport?
Has the Internet and message boards made a big change in the fight game?
Who are the people you watch on YouTube when it comes to boxing?
For better or worse?

I'd love to hear your opinions?

[gamefrk]

I avoid FloydHype dot com. All other sources are decent.

[hectari]

I don't know, but how do these Boxing reporters and bloggers that just pop up get fight passes and press credentials so easy? Like DontaeBoxingNation the guy is a biased black power flowmo yet he gets credentials, shouldn't those be given to legit media?

[wiz1030]

I've noticed the dynamic occurring too. I think it's happening because it is ignored by mainstream outlets, so the opportunities for independent journalists to thrive is greater.

Personally, I frequent ESNEWS because Elie has an unbelievable amount of access (his journalistic skills leave a lot to be desired though...) and ThaBoxingVoice. They've been able to get lots of exclusive interviews (recently Quillin after the WBO belt vacation and Ken & Shawn Porter candidly speaking the week after a loss).

Steve Kim's new venture UCN is doing some good work too. At some point I think the majors will get back in, because unlike others, I see boxing rebounding in the coming years. Maybe not top flight sport status, but it will be out of the graveyard I believe.

[Tedkidlewis]

I don't know, but how do these Boxing reporters and bloggers that just pop up get fight passes and press credentials so easy? Like DontaeBoxingNation the guy is a biased black power flowmo yet he gets credentials, shouldn't those be given to legit media?

I think the fans that have blogs and YouTube channels that are popular are in some ways more legit then the reporters that have been chosen by the TV companys because they have been chosen by the fans.

[gamefrk]

I've noticed the dynamic occurring too. I think it's happening because it is ignored by mainstream outlets, so the opportunities for independent journalists to thrive is greater.

Personally, I frequent ESNEWS because Elie has an unbelievable amount of access (his journalistic skills leave a lot to be desired though...) and ThaBoxingVoice. They've been able to get lots of exclusive interviews (recently Quillin after the WBO belt vacation and Ken & Shawn Porter candidly speaking the week after a loss).

Steve Kim's new venture UCN is doing some good work too. At some point I think the majors will get back in, because unlike others, I see boxing rebounding in the coming years. Maybe not top flight sport status, but it will be out of the graveyard I believe.

Steve Kim is one of the few people who asks the hard questions/calls a spade a spade...he regularly gets denied credentials.

I can stand Elie as long as his videos are just interviews...his opinion sucks azz & he;s biased as fcuk to the Garcia boxing gym....other than his opinions, Elie's videos are very good...the guy goes through the grind to get us all those tons of videos.

[R_Walken]

Good Thread. My take is is similar to soneonelse who posted, the independent fans of the sport are able to have a strong voice because boxing is a niche sport and isn't completely controlled by corporate $. So fans who turn to journalists / reporters that have some hustle can actually have some clout in the sport and get good access to the people involved. Which would never happen in a mainstream sport. The downside is allot of times their lack of experience and unprofessionalism shows.

Don't get me wrong there's allot of clowns in the circus called boxing but because it's a niche ,fans have quite a bit of say compared to other more mainstream sports.

Personally I watch ESNEWS don't think Ellie has much talent but respect the fact he hustles his @ss off and good behind the scenes footage.
Fighthype, Fighthub, Seconds Out, Thaboxingvoice, Hustleboss, IFilm and a couple others.

[Dr Rumack]

The best analysts and writers in the sport are not attached to the traditional major media outlets, so I would say yes. The likes of Dan Rafael and Kevin Iole are dreadful when compared to the likes of Lee Wylie or Jimmy Tobin.

[Crazylegs77]

Steve Kim is one of the few people who asks the hard questions/calls a spade a spade...he regularly gets denied credentials.

I can stand Elie as long as his videos are just interviews...his opinion sucks azz & he;s biased as fcuk to the Garcia boxing gym....other than his opinions, Elie's videos are very good...the guy goes through the grind to get us all those tons of videos.

Hmm never heard of Steve Kim, will check his channel out. He gets denied credentials would explain why 99% of the boxing channels like ESNEWS, Dontesboxintgnation, for instance thrive, they are just fanboys who kiss ass mainly. Sad thats how you have to be to get access.

Not much tolerable content out there, usually I listen to Dwyer, he seems to take a rational unemotional approach to boxing. Masterboxing Eric Bradley worth a look too.

Ellie is extremely annoying but he has alot of updates with interviews.

Al Bernstein has a channell too, does a live show once in a while talking boxing with a panel or special guest. Chris Byrd also used to update alot with good interviews, but for a while now just does post fight break downs.

Thaboxingvoice has some interviews but bleh their show is horrible. Basically is a couple fans trying to be ****** and discussing emotional type fanboy stuff, rambling on and on.

[Tedkidlewis]

Great posts. I'm currently watching Ifilm and Ellie coz their coverage is non stop.

I think that Kugan Cassius is maybe one of the best interviewers out there, he brings out the real stuff in fighters and has a great rapour. His interviews can be really interesting, serious and funny at the same time.