BOXING NEWS figured prominently in the Boxing Writers Association of America annual writing awards, The Bernies, with the brand being named as the leading publication/website for 2021. Several writers and contributors also picked up key individual awards.
In addition to two honourable mentions, BN’s own Elliot Worsell scooped first place in Boxing Investigative Reporting for his feature on boxers who spent time in prison, Inside Fighters, which was in the April 6 2021 edition. John Dennen was named among the honourable mentions in the same category, and in Event Coverage, while securing third place in Boxing News Story for his piece, The Olympic Nightmare, which was published on December 28.
Supreme contributor Springs Toledo won two categories for his writing in Boxing News. His tribute to Tony DeMarco, An Empty Chair on Hanover Street, was named as the best Boxing Feature (under 1,500 words) while his piece on Marvin Hagler, The Hard Road, was named as the best Boxing Feature (over 1,500 words). Jack Hirsch, BN’s senior US correspondent, performed well in both feature categories, too. His story on Paul Simonetti, I Was A Part Of History, earned third place while his reflections on attending the first Joe Frazier-Muhammad Ali contest, Walking On The Moon, won a second place. Both of Hirsch’s features were in the March 4 edition.
BN editor, Matt Christie, achieved second place in Event Coverage with The Lesson, his ringside report from Oleksandr Usyk-Anthony Joshua while also getting third place for his leader on the Vitor Belfort-Evander Holyfield debacle in the Boxing Column category. Other writers recognised for their work in BN were Paul Wheeler and Sean Nam, who were named among the honourable mentions.
Further writers who figured prominently included Hall of Famer Bernard Fernandez (for his piece on Don King in The Ring), Sports Illustrated’s Greg Bishop and BWAA President, Joseph Santoliquito.
In total, Boxing News achieved eight places among the top three alongside six honourable mentions. All at BN are exceptionally grateful to the BWAA judges for taking the time to read our entries and regard them so highly.