The Ring Magazine: Still the Bible of Boxing?

The Ring Magazine, often referred to simply as “The Bible of Boxing,” has stood as one of the most authoritative and respected publications in the world of boxing since its inception. Founded in 1922, The Ring has chronicled some of the most epic battles in boxing history, established rankings, awarded championships, and created icons. Over the decades, the magazine has evolved, remaining relevant through shifts in boxing’s popularity and media technology, and continues to play an essential role in preserving the sport’s history and legitimacy. However, it is not without its fair share of controversies, which BoxBets will reveal…

History and Founding

The Ring Magazine was founded in February 1922 by Nat Fleischer, a prominent sports journalist and a leading figure in boxing. His vision was to create a publication dedicated to the sport that would report fairly, educate fans, and celebrate the athletes. Initially, The Ring covered multiple sports, but by the late 1920s, boxing became the central focus. Fleischer, with his journalistic integrity, steered the magazine through a golden age of boxing, capturing the feats of legends like Jack Dempsey, Joe Louis, and Sugar Ray Robinson.

Fleischer’s influence was pivotal; he established standards of objectivity and transparency that set The Ring apart. His tenure built a legacy of reliability, and he became synonymous with the magazine. His dedication to the sport even extended into establishing the first modern rankings and setting championship policies that helped keep the sport competitive and organized. Fleischer remained with The Ring until his death in 1972, but his foundational influence has been preserved through successive editors.

The Ring’s Championship Policy

One of The Ring’s most influential contributions to boxing is its championship policy, created to address the ever-complicated landscape of titles within the sport. Fleischer’s vision was for The Ring title to represent the true lineal champion—essentially, the champion who had beaten the previous champion. Over time, the policy developed into a respected benchmark, known as the “Ring Championship.” It adheres to the simple principle of “the man who beat the man,” preserving the lineage of each division and avoiding confusion caused by the various sanctioning bodies, such as the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO.

To ensure a clean title lineage, The Ring Magazine established its own rules for when a champion vacates a title, such as through retirement, moving weight divisions, or inactivity. These standards have helped to maintain the integrity of boxing titles and made The Ring title one of the most respected in the sport.

Rankings and Scoring System

The Ring’s ranking system is an industry standard, based on evaluations from a panel of experts. Rankings are updated regularly, considering factors like recent performance, quality of opposition, and consistency. While other sanctioning bodies may be influenced by financial considerations, The Ring prides itself on being impartial, with its rankings intended to offer fans a straightforward measure of a fighter’s position within the sport.

For decades, the magazine’s editors and contributors have kept rigorous, data-driven assessments of fighters, ensuring a respected, unbiased ranking system. The Ring’s “pound-for-pound” ranking, which assesses fighters across all weight classes, is especially popular and eagerly awaited by fans and analysts alike.

Ring Magazine Annual Awards

The Ring Magazine awards are a significant annual event in boxing, recognizing excellence across various categories, including Fighter of the Year, Fight of the Year, Knockout of the Year, and others. These awards have been given since 1928 and have recognized boxing icons like Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather Jr., and more recently, Canelo Alvarez.

Winning a Ring award is widely regarded as a career highlight for any fighter, symbolizing industry respect and fan admiration. Moreover, these awards help fans navigate an otherwise fragmented sport by recognizing exemplary achievements each year.

Ownership Changes and Controversies

Over the years, The Ring has gone through several changes in ownership, each with a different impact on the magazine’s independence. This raised concerns about the magazine’s ability to maintain unbiased coverage and independent rankings. Here are some of the most well known issues that have raised question marks over its reputation:

1. Ownership by Golden Boy Promotions (2007-2020)
One of the most controversial periods for The Ring Magazine began when it was acquired by Golden Boy Promotions, a major boxing promotion company founded by former champion Oscar De La Hoya. Golden Boy is one of the most influential entities in boxing, with fighters like Canelo Alvarez under its promotional wing. The purchase immediately raised concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest, as the magazine’s rankings and title decisions could appear biased in favor of Golden Boy’s fighters.

To address this, The Ring Magazine publicly promised to maintain editorial independence, stressing that its rankings and championship policies would remain unaffected by its new ownership. However, many fans and analysts continued to view the acquisition with suspicion, speculating that the rankings may have been subtly influenced by Golden Boy’s interests. Though no concrete evidence proved any bias, the perception of favoritism lingered, particularly during disputes over which fighters deserved championship status.

2. The US Boxing Championship Series
The Ring Magazine and Don King conspired in a scam involving non-existent fights and manipulated rankings. The full story was covered by BoxBets in our article entitled Fraud: The US Boxing Championship Series. The scandal was even investigated by the FBI…

3. The 2012 Rule Change on The Ring Title Policy
In 2012, under Golden Boy’s ownership, The Ring modified its championship policy, making it easier for fighters to win or retain The Ring title. Traditionally, the title could only be won by defeating the reigning champion or, in cases where the title was vacant, by matching the top two ranked fighters in that division. Under the 2012 policy, however, the title could also be awarded to winners of bouts between fighters ranked No. 1 and No. 3 in the division.

This rule change sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it diluted the prestige of The Ring title by lowering the standards for championship bouts. Many fans felt the new policy made it easier for fighters to gain titles without beating the true lineal champion, undermining The Ring’s previously stringent criteria. This criticism was compounded by the fact that the change came under Golden Boy’s ownership, which only intensified concerns over potential conflicts of interest.

4. Questions Over Independence
After the 2012 rule changes, accusations of bias occasionally arose regarding The Ring’s rankings, especially with Golden Boy-associated fighters. For example, fans and critics questioned the rankings of certain Golden Boy fighters who appeared to retain high spots despite controversial or underwhelming performances. This wasn’t an overt pattern, but periodic controversies around certain placements fed into the perception that some favoritism might be involved. The Ring continued to claim independence, but fans were divided on whether the magazine could fairly assess Golden Boy fighters under such ownership.

5. Editorial Turnover and Impact on Consistency
Ownership changes also led to notable shifts in editorial staff and policy, sometimes creating instability within the magazine. Under Golden Boy’s ownership, there was a perceived shift in tone and content focus, with some readers feeling that the editorial quality and objectivity suffered. Additionally, several long-time editors and writers left the magazine during this period, and turnover in the editorial team raised questions about continuity in journalistic standards.

Frequent changes in editors can impact the consistency and credibility of rankings and championship policies, as new staff bring different perspectives and criteria. This created a sense that The Ring was shifting away from its foundational mission of providing impartial and rigorous boxing analysis, sparking criticism from long-time readers and industry insiders alike.

6. Questions Around Rankings and Criticisms of Bias
Over the years, specific instances in The Ring’s rankings have sparked debates, with some fans feeling certain fighters were over- or under-ranked relative to their performances and competition. For example, fighters who were associated with non-Golden Boy promoters sometimes appeared to struggle to gain high rankings compared to Golden Boy fighters, whether or not this was factually accurate.

Moreover, because The Ring had historically prided itself on being the “Bible of Boxing,” its rankings and championships were often held to higher standards than other sanctioning bodies. Any perceived bias or inconsistency, however slight, could quickly attract attention and criticism. To combat these controversies, The Ring occasionally explained its ranking decisions through editorials or updates on its website, although some decisions remained divisive among fans.

7. Sale to Authentic Brands Group (2020)
In 2020, The Ring was sold to Authentic Brands Group (ABG), ending its association with Golden Boy Promotions. While this transition was mostly welcomed by fans, it also raised questions about the future direction of the magazine. ABG is a media company with a large portfolio, and it wasn’t clear initially how it would treat The Ring’s editorial independence. Fans hoped that the sale would restore a greater sense of objectivity and bring back the credibility that had waned under Golden Boy’s ownership. While ABG has taken steps to address these concerns, such as appointing a new editor-in-chief and updating its rankings criteria, The Ring’s reputation remains a topic of debate for many in the boxing community.

8. Emergence of New Media and Digital Competitors
The digital age has brought new voices into the boxing world, with bloggers, YouTubers, and independent rankings organizations all providing alternatives to traditional media. Some fans felt that these platforms, often free from the influence of major promotions, provided more unbiased rankings and commentary. This evolution in sports media has challenged The Ring, leading some fans to question its relevancy and independence in the modern era.

The Ring Magazine in the Modern Era

As digital media has reshaped the way sports are covered, The Ring has adapted by expanding its digital presence, with its website offering the latest news, updates, and exclusive features. Social media, podcasts, and online videos have made The Ring more accessible than ever, allowing boxing fans to stay informed on rankings and engage with the magazine in real-time. These platforms provide faster access to rankings, round-by-round fight analyses, and exclusive interviews with the sport’s leading figures.

The magazine also embraces nostalgia, leveraging its extensive archives to bring classic fights and stories back to light. This blend of new and old content serves as a testament to The Ring’s unique place in boxing—simultaneously covering current events and preserving the sport’s rich history.

The Ring’s Legacy

In an era where boxing is often dominated by the influence of promotional companies and networks, The Ring Magazine remains an enduring symbol of integrity. Its commitment to independent rankings and adherence to the original vision of Nat Fleischer has made it a bastion for boxing enthusiasts worldwide. The magazine has witnessed boxing’s highs and lows and has documented each major era, solidifying its place in sports journalism.

Boxing continues to face challenges, from disputes over fighter contracts to the complexity of sanctioning body politics, but The Ring has shown resilience. For nearly a century, it has served as the sport’s compass, guiding fans through changes in boxing’s landscape with a commitment to objective, high-quality journalism.

Final Thoughts

The Ring Magazine is more than a publication—it is an institution within the world of boxing. By honoring the sport’s traditions and continually adapting to modern demands, it has maintained its status as a trusted authority in boxing. As it moves toward its 100-year mark, The Ring remains a significant symbol of boxing’s rich heritage and a vital resource for fans, fighters, and analysts alike. The legacy it has created continues to inspire respect for the art of boxing, ensuring that its tagline, “The Bible of Boxing,” will remain relevant for generations to come.