Welcome to the primary Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack of the brand new yr! In 2024, I promise to return this column to the nasty, mean-spirited, not-dealing-with-the-BS mailbag it was, earlier than I talked myself into reeling myself again. This Thursday, we begin issues off with feedback/questions relating to my predictions for 2024 and recommendation to an aspiring boxing journalist.
Predictions for 2024
Hey Magno.
I observed that you just didn’t put up your annual predictions for the approaching yr, such as you used to do yearly. I used to look ahead to them, not only for the predictions (which have been very attention-grabbing and sometimes on the cash), but in addition for the humor. Did Steve Kim and Doug Fischer ever really get married in a non-public seashore ceremony, per your prediction from a pair years again? Do you suppose we may get a couple of predictions for 2024 (humorous or not)?
— Gonzo
Hey Gonzo.
Thanks for caring about these off-the-cuff predictions. I didn’t do them this yr for a couple of causes. I used to be coping with some sickness and another work distractions. However, to be trustworthy, it was largely as a result of I misplaced curiosity and actually didn’t really feel like doing them. All of the foolish/silly shit past the precise preventing had simply form of sapped my vitality. However I’m gonna muster up the vitality on this week’s Sack to toss off a couple of nuggets of prognostication:
* Terence Crawford will NOT struggle Errol Spence within the awaited rematch of their July, 2023 one-sided smash. As a substitute, Crawford will face Keith Thurman in a profitable June Amazon Prime pay-per-view occasion the place he’ll cease “One Time” within the ninth spherical. In November, Crawford will probably be again within the ring, shifting as much as 154 to resolution Tim Tszyu for the WBO junior middleweight title in a Struggle of the 12 months battle, additionally on Amazon Prime PPV.
* Errol Spence won’t struggle in 2024.
* The Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury heavyweight title unification conflict, set for February, will NOT occur. Following the primary postponement, the struggle will probably be pushed off till April after which later within the yr, earlier than being deserted completely. Amid the “will-they, received’t they” confusion, Usyk will struggle and beat Joseph Parker through resolution and Fury will beat Efe Ajagba, additionally by resolution, of their solely bouts of the yr, each in Saudi Arabia.
* Tank Davis will cease Frank Martin within the debut PBC pay-per-view occasion on Amazon Prime. A number of weeks later, it is going to be introduced that Tank vs. Devin Haney for Haney’s WBC junior welterweight title was signed for the autumn.
* Tank vs. Haney will fall wanting Tank vs. Ryan Garcia numbers, however will nonetheless be the highest-selling occasion of 2024. Within the struggle, itself, Davis will come from behind to take a 12-round resolution off the burden of two late-fight knockdowns of Haney.
* Saul Alvarez’s two fights for the yr will probably be in opposition to Chris Eubank Jr. and Vladimir Shishkin, however not essentially in that order.
* In response, David Benavidez will formally transfer as much as 175, calling out the winner of the Artur Beterbiev-Dmitry Bivol title unification conflict, which can proceed to be pushed again and delayed.
* I will probably be employed within the rumored Saudi sweep of boxing journalists/writers, making in a single month what I’ve made, complete, over the past two years. Then, I’ll go and do one thing silly, like stand on precept over some dumb editorial element, and get fired on day 31 of my deal. I’ll completely not present as much as the assembly on the Saudi consulate in Turkey to debate the firing.
* Victor Conte e-newsletter author, Steve Kim, will announce that he’s having gender reassignment surgery– pending a genetic take a look at to find out his precise present gender.
Ideas for Starting Boxing Journalists
Hello Paul.
I’m an enormous fan of your writing, regardless that I’m 15 and also you continually warn us that it’s not at all times secure for work or age applicable for youthful readers, lol. I actually admire your no-nonsense fashion and the way you’re keen to go locations different writers received’t. I can solely hope you have been joking about promoting out to the Saudis. Anyway, I’m an aspiring sports activities journalist and an enormous boxing fan. Do you might have any recommendation for a newbie within the enterprise and somebody nonetheless writing for a highschool paper? I’ve hooked up a few of my work and I’d additionally admire in the event you may give me your opinion, in case you have the time, in fact.
Thanks.
— Antonio Borrego
Hey Antonio.
My recommendation? Run the wrong way, away from boxing! Simply kidding (form of). The one factor you must actually, actually decide is that your love for the game is unbreakable. In case your objective is to inform the reality and serve a function as an trustworthy voice within the sport, you’ll be in for infinite disappointment and frustration (and in addition assaults…loads of assaults and/or blackballing). Your love for the game and your dedication to your position in it must be so nice that it may possibly stand up to all of the bullshit that will probably be heaped on you. Virtually everybody who begins within the enterprise with high-minded aspirations, intent on serving a function as an actual journalist and/or trustworthy pundit, finally will get burnt out and pulls himself/herself from the game (those that aren’t finally corrupted and/or strategically lobotomized). When you’re going to be “actual,” you’re making a tough street for your self. The love for the game must be there and it must be past robust.
In case your final objective is to simply be a run-of-the-mill phrase monkey with one eye on attaining entry and the opposite on constructing your private portfolio with bartered-for scoops and pre-approved, strategically “leaked” data, life will probably be simpler and also you’ll most likely earn more money, too. However there’d be no function to your existence. Some individuals are nice with that and are solely on this for no matter fame and cash comes their approach. You’ll need to stare down that dilemma, too, as lesser writers and lesser thinkers cross you up on the ladder of success.
Once more, you’ll simply need to be actually, actually agency in your mission if you wish to keep the course and have a profession. It’s powerful, nevertheless it’s additionally price it when it pans out and folks “get” what you’re attempting to perform.
When it comes to the writing, itself? Inform your self. Don’t depend on media reviews to tell you. Additionally, discover your voice and use it. That’s really the toughest a part of writing. Studying to be your self and take off the phony filters you’ve adopted over time is hard. Be true to who you actually are and transfer away from what you’ve realized is “acceptable.” Say what you need and what you are feeling to be appropriate, regardless of the way it might rub sure individuals. All of this problem is simply worthwhile if it means one thing. There’s no level to any of this if you end up aiming to be precisely like everybody else.
I’ll have a look at your writing and remark privately.
Obtained a query (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The very best of the very best will get included within the weekly mailbag section proper right here at FightHype. Ship your stuff right here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.
