Sep 1, 2021
Sal and Bob are delighted to talk to boxing hall of fame journalist Nigel Collins (@NigelBoxing) to the show. They interview Nigel about his career (including his new book), his run-in with Muhammad Ali, what it meant for him to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame, and more!
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Born April 7, 1946, in England. Collins’ passion for the sport
of boxing began at a young age when his father and grandfather
regaled him with stories of Bob Fitzsimmons, Joe Louis, and Archie
Moore.
After immigrating to the United States, he boxed in the US
Army and eventually managed fighters before turning his attention
to writing. His professional career began in January 1973
as The Ring’s Philadelphia and Atlantic City
correspondent. Collins continued to freelance until August 1983
when he joined The Ring staff as editor of Boxing
Illustrated, then “The Bible of Boxing’s” sister publication.
After The Ring retired the Boxing
Illustrated title following the November 1984 issue, he moved
to The Ring and became editor-in-chief in 1985. He held that
post until 1989. He rejoined the venerable publication in 1993 as
managing editor and reassumed editor-in-chief position in 1997 and
served in that capacity until 2011. During his career, Collins was
also editor-in-chief of The Ring
Almanac, KO, and World Boxing and was the
author of 1990’s Boxing Babylon. In 2007 he was awarded the
James J. Walker Award for “Long and Meritorious Service to Boxing”
by the BWAA.
Respected for his integrity and knowledge of boxing history,
Collins is currently a columnist
for ESPN.com and Boxing News and is social
media and content provider for ESPN2’s Friday Night
Fights.