New Look Boxing News

Today sees the launch of a new look Boxing News - the longest running boxing magazine still in publication, dating back to 1909.

The magazine - or paper, as some of the traditionalists like to refer to it - has undergone a few changes since Tris Dixon took over as editor from Claude Abrams in 2010. These include changing the date Boxing News comes out from Friday to Thursday, while other new features have been introduced, such as having a weekly guest columnist.

Now whenever a long-standing publication undergoes a change a lot of people used to and content with the current order of things will often grumble.

Glancing at internet boxing forums this morning that seems to prove the point with naturally opinionated posters complaining the design too closely resembles an MMA publication. The point has been made in connection with Boxing News' sister publication, Fighting Fit, which has more of an MMA focus.

However, while change might not always be welcome it is an inevitable fact in the publishing world as magazines and newspapers seek to progress, as well as keep in touch with the changing times. Let's not forget too that the evolution of internet and declining publication sales (of which Boxing News has apparently bucked the trend and continues to prosper, I must add) means editors (or their bosses) are always looking for new ways to keep ahead of the game - or just keep up.

As a nostalgic person who misses the days of Boxing News resembling something more akin to a broadsheet paper I must say I'm still not sure if the new design is my cup of tea (particularly the use of 'News' to represent the 'I' of 'Boxing').

That probably says more about my tastes though!

I have a feeling the design will grow on people. The changes being implemented under the stewardship of Dixon, including regular online features - see: http://www.boxingnewsonline.net/ - are steps to helping modernise the magazine, diversify its audience and push for continued, or even improve, solid sales figures.

That can't be a bad thing for boxing of which Boxing News has always been a wonderful ambassador most humble writers covering the sport can only aspire to achieve.

101 years and not out. That's not bad going eh?