RINGSIDE By Doug Fischer
LET’S CELEBRATE A NEW ERA
SPECIAL ISSUE JANUARY 2025
FOUNDER Nathaniel Fleischer (1888-1972)
OWNER His Excellency Turki Alalshikh
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Douglass Fischer
MANAGING EDITOR Tom Gray
SENIOR EDITOR Brian Harty
CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lamar Clark
CONTROLLER Deborah L. Harrison
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W elcome to the first print issue of 2025. We normally begin the new year with the Fighter of the Year on the cover of an issue that showcases all of the winners of our annual awards for the previous year, including Fight, KO, Round, Upset, Comeback, Trainer, Prospect and Event of the Year. Featuring the Fighter of the Year on the cover is a tradition that goes back several decades, but we’re kicking off 2025 with a cover illustration that includes multiple candidates for the prestigious honor that dates back to 1928. While most of us knew who the frontrunner for Fighter of the Year was the moment his masterful craft and uncommon grit enabled him to once again outpoint the most talented heavyweight giant of this era, the official winner – as well as the recipients of the other 2024 Ring Magazine awards – would not be officially announced until January 11, the night of a lavish, star-studded gala held at an iconic venue in London. Think of it as The Ring’s answer to the Academy Awards. And while this elegant
Icons and influencers attended The Ring’s relaunch part in Riyadh .
black-tie celebration honoring the best of 2024 has yet to happen as of press time, we know it will be a very special event and we will provide full coverage in our February issue, which will continue the long tradition of featuring the Fighter of the Year on the cover. The January 11 event wasn’t the only classy gala put on by the new owner of The Ring. On December 19, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, just two days prior to the big heavyweight championship rematch held at Kingdom Arena, the magazine received a relaunch dinner party that surpassed any event honoring the publication since its 75th anniversary celebration held on March 8, 1997, in Atlantic City. The Ring’s diamond anniversary was attended by Muhammad Ali and archrivals Joe Frazier and Ken Norton, a dozen former champions of the 1950s and ’60s, as well as many of the stars of the ’80s and ’90s, including Sugar Ray
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THE RING (ISSN: 0035-5410), Special Issue (January 2025), is published 12 times per year by Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC, P.O. Box 90254 Brooklyn, NY 11209. Periodicals postage paid at Brooklyn, NY 11209 and additional post offices. Postmasters: Send change of address notices to: The Ring Magazine Subscriber Service Dept., PO Box 16027, North Hollywood, CA 91615-6027, Phone: 818-286-3101; rngcs@magserv.com. Single copy price $8.95 in U.S.A. and Canada (£5.99 in the U.K.). Subscription price U.S. and possession $39.99 for 12 issues including Canada. Mexico add $5. All remaining countries add $10 for 12 issues per year. Not responsible for the loss or non- return of unsolicited articles or photographs, which will not be returned unless accompanied by a self-addressed envelope bearing the proper amount of postage. The entire contents of this magazine are copyright ©2025 Sports and Entertainment Publications, LLC. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. All rights reserved. Publisher is not responsible for the accuracy of the content of advertisements appearing in this magazine, nor the delivery or quality of merchandise or services offered. No endorsement of any such advertisement is intended or implied. Advertisers and agencies assume liability for claims arising from the content of their advertisements. FOR ADVERTISING INQUIRIES AND RATES: advertising@sepublications.com. U.S. / Canadian and International distribution by Comag Marketing Group LLC, 155 Village Blvd #200, Princeton, NJ 08540. UK distribution by Seymour Distribution Ltd., 2 East Poultry Avenue, London, England, EC1A 9PT. Printed In USA.
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