I’m gonna begin off 2024 with a whimper. Versus the standard bang I make with my bull-headed shit speaking and cussed, self-defeating defiance, I’m now pledging my compliance to the most recent cash marks in boxing– the Saudis. I hand over. I’m seeking to promote out to the very best bidder whereas there should be a bidder or two.
One of many worst-kept secrets and techniques within the boxing media enterprise is that Saudi Arabia, which has thrown cash round to turn into gamers on the world boxing scene, can also be seeking to purchase up a media presence.
Thomas Hauser, in a Day or Reckoning occasion recap posted in The Guardian, touches on this on the finish of his piece.
“There are dependable stories,” Hauser wrote, “that the Saudi Arabian Basic Leisure Authority is laying the groundwork for a brand new boxing web site and sounding out high-profile writers from a number of international locations about coming onboard for dramatically more cash than they’re at present being paid. In a world the place media protection of boxing is already restricted, that plan, if it involves fruition, would go a good distance towards enabling the Saudi authorities to manage the narrative within the candy science.”
One other veteran boxing author, Donald McRae, would chime in through Twitter/X, encouraging his colleagues to keep away from that sketchy Saudi cash.
“You simply gotta say no, comrades,” McRae urged.
Effectively, with all due repect– Thoughts your individual enterprise, Donny! I like showering with heat water. Shit, I like showering with water! And generic Mexican peanut butter on generic Mexican Ritz crackers for dinner will get actually fucking outdated after 4 consecutive days.
I’ve finished this boxing writing factor, full-time, for over ten years now (17 complete), however issues have by no means been leaner for me. Combat Hype has taken care of me and supplied me a platform, however the realities of this enterprise demand multiple stream of earnings to make life livable.
I spent 2023 treading water, forcing myself to put in writing brain-dead CONTENT on different websites for morons all through the primary half of the 12 months. Then I spent the final a part of the 12 months interesting to editors and web site house owners (those not terrified to even acknowledge my existence) for an opportunity at a gig. And regardless of them claiming to be “followers” of my work, “loyal” readers and “supporters” of my “important voice,” none would/might rent me as a result of “so-and-so on employees” would have a match if I had been introduced aboard, absolutely due to one thing “imply” I stated relating to the media. Then, there have been the intrepid boxing media souls, looking tirelessly for high quality writing to “change the sport” of boxing media, who flat-out rejected my providers with out even bothering to learn any of the clips I despatched them.
This lack of man-sized huevos and basic imaginative and prescient amongst males protecting the cruelest of sports activities ought to inform you every part it’s good to know in regards to the present sorry state of boxing media.
This isn’t the identical universe that birthed Hunter S. Thompson. This isn’t the identical BOXING universe that birthed AJ Liebling. Hell, it’s not even the identical wormhole pocket boxing universe that facilitated the presence of Bert Sugar, who not less than had the decency to wink-wink, nudge-nudge his means by life as a caricature of what a boxing journalist is perhaps, if such a factor existed.
It was that boxing media individuals would merely chorus from saying unpopular issues. Now, they do not even suppose them. Crucial thought and non-compliance have been bred out of the media ranks fully. So, when followers marvel why they do not get the boxing product they deserve, they want look no additional than the media that’s purported to be the frontline protection between the bossmen and the patron, however is, as an alternative, enjoying Vegetation vs. Zombies on their cellphone between bouts on press row, pondering up quips for his or her subsequent podcast.
It will be one factor if I had been arising brief, battling forces of evil. However who may even get to the forces of evil anymore? Nowadays, the every single day battle of a right-minded boxing author is in opposition to mediocrity and basic dullness and, worst of all, in opposition to the creeping actuality that boxing writing is meant to be anchored in mediocrity and basic dullness. This current tense is a barren wasteland stuffed with nothing however High 10 lists, culled click-friendly quotes, and “what’s subsequent for so-and-so” articles.
The boxing media is so wishy-washy and strategically lobotomized that you may’t also have a good argument with them. They simply curl up and roll below their desks when hit with even the slightest little bit of push again. Their first and solely protection is to disregard you. And so they’ll stick to that as a result of all of their colleagues are, equally, curled up, tucked below their desks, ignoring disagreeable truths till the man saying them (often simply me, really) stops and/or will get starved off his soapbox.
This ain’t a world that may reward you for boldness. Shit, they gained’t even ACKNOWLEDGE you for those who harm too many emotions or say an excessive amount of that goes in opposition to the grain. This, after all, makes it exhausting to get your voice heard in a enterprise the place getting your voice heard goes hand in hand with making a residing. It additionally makes it exhausting to get shit completed in case your final aim as a author is reform and/or a push for accountability (Which, on this day of industry-sponsored media, might be your complete level of conserving content material good and vacuous).
However I hand over.
I’m able to get some payments paid. I’m able to be a type of guys with nothing to say, however a lot of individuals listening. I’m able to be that man who simply doesn’t give a fuck about stuff that issues. Solely an fool retains swimming upstream in opposition to an awesome present when there doesn’t even appear to be an final vacation spot anymore.
How do you rage in opposition to a machine when most everybody desperately needs to be PART of the machine and no person even is aware of the way to rage anymore?
So…
Your Excellencies, Your Awesomenesses, Your Majesties, Your Highnesses…again that filthy lucre truck as much as Stately Magno Manor right here within the hills of Central Mexico and unload that shit. Fuck the battle. I’ll take my distinctive presents (which, as one veteran author noticed, make me “The Most Feared Man in Boxing Writing”) and pledge them in service to you, my new overlords. After which, as Don Vito Corleone stated in ‘The Godfather:’ “…if by some likelihood an sincere man like your self made enemies they might turn into my enemies. After which, they might concern you.”
Each good regime wants an adept and fearless hatchet man. You, my new masters, know that higher than anybody.
I humbly await your response.
P.S. I completely reserve the fitting to alter my thoughts a month into this deal, after I repay some payments, and go scorched earth, as soon as once more burning a bridge as I stand on it. I’m simply silly like that.
Obtained one thing for Magno? Ship it right here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com
