Boxing Monthly

Boxing Monthly was a British boxing magazine based in London and distributed to an international readership. Founded in May 1989, it was conceived as a monthly, feature-led periodical covering the sport in the United Kingdom and around the world. Its editorial mix combined profiles and interviews with fighters, expert columns, technical and historical analysis, detailed reports from boxing events, British and world ratings, and reviews of boxing books. This gave the title a broader and more analytical remit than a publication focused solely on fight results or short news reports. The magazine was launched alongside Boxing Weekly, a related weekly title that was intended to compete with Boxing News, the established British weekly boxing paper. Boxing Weekly was not commercially successful and closed within a year, while the monthly title developed a stronger readership and continued as the principal publication associated with the project. At its peak, Boxing Monthly reportedly had a readership of approximately 25,000, reflecting the continuing interest in specialist boxing journalism in Britain and among international fans. Barry J. Hugman served as the launch editor in 1989. He was followed by Ian Probert and George Zeleny. Glyn Leach joined as assistant editor in 1990 and became editor in 1992. Leach remained central to the magazine's editorial identity until his death in 2014. After his death, International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee Graham Houston took over editorial responsibilities and was editor when publication ended. Boxing Monthly lasted for 31 years, making it a long-running specialist sports title despite operating in a relatively narrow editorial market. In March 2020, the publisher announced that the May 2020 issue would be the final edition. The closure ended the magazine's print run and its regular coverage of British and international boxing under the Boxing Monthly name. No reliable information in the supplied reference material establishes a current owner, corporate parent, founder, listed status, or successor brand.

Boxing Monthly was established in 1989 as a London-based magazine devoted to boxing. The first issue appeared in May 1989, although Barry J. Hugman had begun work as launch editor in April. The title entered a British boxing-media environment that already included Boxing News, a prominent weekly newspaper. Its launch was accompanied by Boxing Weekly, which was intended to compete directly with Boxing News. Boxing Weekly failed to establish a sustainable readership and folded within its first year, whereas Boxing Monthly's monthly format proved more viable. The publication was primarily feature-based. Rather than limiting itself to immediate fight results, it offered substantial coverage of British and international fighters, expert columns, analysis, reports from boxing events around the world, British and world ratings, and reviews of books about the sport. This editorial structure positioned the magazine as a specialist reference and reading title for boxing enthusiasts, with a blend of current coverage, opinion, assessment, and longer-form journalism. Editorial leadership changed during the magazine's early years. Barry J. Hugman was followed by Ian Probert and George Zeleny. Glyn Leach joined the staff as assistant editor in 1990 and became editor in 1992. He was associated with the magazine for more than two decades and remained editor until his death in 2014. The title reportedly developed a readership of around 25,000, indicating a substantial audience for a specialist boxing magazine in the United Kingdom and abroad. After Leach's death, Graham Houston became editor. Houston was an International Boxing Hall of Fame inductee and was responsible for the magazine during its final period. Boxing Monthly continued publication through the 2010s, retaining its emphasis on fighters, ratings, analysis, reports, and boxing-related books. The available reference material does not identify a specific founding company, owner, publisher, corporate group, or financial structure. In March 2020, it was announced that the May 2020 issue would be the final issue. The decision brought the magazine's run to an end after 31 years. Boxing Monthly is therefore a defunct specialist sports-media brand whose historical significance rests on its long publication life, its international boxing coverage, and its role within British boxing journalism.

1. 2020Final issue is announced

   The magazine announces that its May issue will be its last, ending publication after 31 years.

   Source
2. 2014Graham Houston takes over as editor

   Following Leach's death, Graham Houston assumes editorial responsibility.

   Source
3. 1992Glyn Leach becomes editor

   Leach takes over as editor and remains in the role until his death in 2014.

   Source
4. 1990Glyn Leach joins the editorial staff

   Glyn Leach becomes assistant editor, beginning a long association with the title.

   Source
5. 1989Boxing Monthly is founded

   The magazine is founded in London and begins publication in May, with Barry J. Hugman serving as launch editor.

   Source

A specialist, feature-led boxing publication combining British and international fight coverage with expert commentary, ratings, analysis, fighter profiles, and historical or literary content.

• Boxing Monthly magazineSports magazine1989

  The core and apparently only principal product was a monthly boxing periodical. It focused on British and international fighters and combined feature writing with expert columns, analysis, event reports, British and world ratings, and reviews of boxing books. The magazine served readers seeking sustained coverage and interpretation of the sport rather than only short-form news. Publication began in 1989 and ended with the May 2020 issue.

• 2020Decision to end publicationOther

  After 31 years as a specialist boxing magazine, the publication announced in March 2020 that the May issue would be the final edition.

  What changed. The title ended its regular magazine publication with the May 2020 issue.

  Aftermath. Boxing Monthly became a defunct brand and ceased operating as a recurring boxing magazine.

  Source

• 2020Boxing Monthly announces final issue

  In March 2020, Boxing Monthly announced that its May issue would be the last, ending the magazine after 31 years of publication.

  Other
  Source
• 2014Glyn Leach dies and Graham Houston assumes editorial duties

  Following the death of long-serving editor Glyn Leach, Graham Houston took over the editorial role and remained editor when the magazine ceased publication.

  Leadership change
  Source

1. Boxing Monthly
2. Boxing Monthly official website