looking back through the pages of the issues of "Boxing Illustrated"
there are many old stories, ring ratings and photos that kept the
sport of boxing alive with those monthly magazines. The first
issue that I purchased was an issue in 1964 with Eddie Machen and
Floyd Patterson on the cover, but I purchased old used copies the
best that I could including a 1960 issue with SUGAR RAY ROBINSON.
MARCH 1982: 1981 REVIEW ISSUE
The March issue were always worth getting because they had
a review of the prior year and selections of best categories.
The 1982 issue was no different, the only thing that changed
were some of the names. The cover of 1982 featured the
Fighter of the 1981 Year. BI picked SUGAR RAY LEONARD.
they called 1981 Sugar Ray's Year. Runner-ups for fighter of the
year were Arguello, Sanchez and Benitez.
Two boxers that received "Comebacks Of The Year"
were JIMMY YOUNG and GERRIE COETZEE.
Tragic News reported was the motorcycle death of
former bantamweight champion ARNOLD TAYLOR.
An unsung middleweight contender named was one
ROBBY EPPS. An from British news there was the
report of the retirement of DAVE "Boy" GREEN.
BOXING ILLUSTRATED, August 1978
Featured on the cover was LARRY HOLMES and the lead story
"Larry Holmes: A Gifted Jab An the Gift Of Gab"
the lead photo in the story was one of Ken Norton, Don King and Larry.
Another good story was about British champion JIM WATTsigning-up
with London manager TERRY LAWLESS and references to other Lawless
fighters Ralph charles, John Stracey, Maurice Hope, and Charlie Magri.
Another article on ROBERT DURAN that points the finger that he is
the best lightweight champion ever - a complete package.
BOXING ILLUSTRATED - July 1978
Front cover included LEON SPINKS and WILFREDO BENITEZ.
writer Reg Noble did an article on a possible Duran vs Arguello bout.
BOXING ILLUSTRATED = November 1977
a great piece was the story about who are todays top 10 boxers?
In the "Reader's Rights" section there was a contribution by
Brian Zelley on page 62. Of course that is me, so what was I
on about? it was signed Brian Zelley of the Victoria Athletic
Association and focused on the ongoing JUHAMMAD ALI
controversy about his standing in the Sixties, I placed Ali
third behind Griffith and Jofre, and in the Seventies, I placed
him fifth behind Monzon, Napoles, Foster, Duran. Also,
i changed my earlier third placement to move Carlos Ortiz
ahead of Ali in the Sixties.
BOXING ILLUSTRATED - January 1966
The magazine was much different in the Sixties with
the likes of Abe Glick, Lew Eskin, and Ben Greene.
In the 1965 issue a lot of British content such as the
story by boxer FRANKIE (Tiger) TAYLOR saying
"Why I Want Winstone"
