IS THERE really a demand for another boxing magazine – and, more so, for a Welsh boxing magazine?
Boxing is already seen as a niche interest, and Welsh boxing is a small niche within that niche, and bearing in mind too that print media is a declining industry, it wouldn’t seem the most obvious endeavour.
And yet here is Puncher’s Chance, a 40-page glossy magazine, boasting South Wales small-hall battlers Willy Gilheaney and Carvell Crocker as cover stars.
But what’s more unusual still is that this is not the work of some old-fashioned, middle-aged men decrying the rise of short-form digital media. No, Puncher’s Chance has been produced by three twentysomething students who, encouragingly, harbour a deep respect and affection for physical magazines, as well as an appreciation for how the format allows for more in-depth expression than you typically get online.
Editor Ben Thomas, 27, alongside writer, designer and photographer Sam Hill, 23, and writer and photographer Harry Tovey, 20, were inspired to create the magazine after, perhaps inevitably, they had begun their boxing media careers with a podcast.
“It was initially a university thing,” says Hill. “We had to make a podcast for a sports journalism course at the University of South Wales [in Cardiff]. We launched in November 2023 in our first year of uni.
“We did 10 episodes for the uni course and it’s evolved to become more of a media brand, going to shows and stuff. Now, it’s all about the fighters, to give them a platform they wouldn’t have otherwise.”
And part of that platform is to give those fighters the glossy magazine treatment.
“We had that Welsh title fight coming up [Gilheaney vs Crocker],” says Thomas. “It means a lot to fighters; the Welsh title for many of them is the first and sometimes only title they’ll fight for, and they often won’t get interviewed by a magazine unless it’s a really big fight.
“In one of our modules in the second year, we had to put together a magazine, so that gave me the idea to use the skills we’d learned in university and our love for magazines like Boxing News and other sports magazines.
“And it’s great for the boxers to have something they probably wouldn’t otherwise get in their career. It’s our way to give back to the fighters a bit for the relationship we’ve had, with them inviting us to shows and helping grow our platform.
“We’ve had really good feedback; the fighters said it was really nice to have a physical copy in their hands.”
This is a sentiment shared by the guys behind Puncher’s Chance, too.
“When I had that physical magazine in my hands, it was 10 times more rewarding than a thousand views of something online,” says Hill. “I saw it on my bookshelf and I thought, ‘I can’t believe it – we’ve done it’.”
It’s on my bookshelf, too, having ordered a copy online.
First impressions are positive. It looks and feels like a professional product, there’s a good balance of interviews, opinion and insight, with original photography and a few recognisable names in terms of both subjects and contributors. There are features on Gary Lockett and Tiah-Mai Ayton in addition to cover stars Gilheaney and Crocker, and writers include Andy Clarke and BN reporter Dewi Powell.
Other subjects tackled include a critique of some promoters prioritising ticket sales over competitive sport, a piece on the importance of the Welsh title to the small hall scene, and raising questions over the validity of Chris Eubank Jr-Conor Benn II.
If I had to make a criticism, it would be that the font size is too large and the stories are a little on the short side. Across 40 pages, there is the feeling that there could be a bit more to it. As it is, it’s a breezy read, but to be fair, it is a good read, and clearly a lot of work – and love – has gone into it, and it is the work of people who know the craft.
It is a college try – literally – but Thomas, Hill and Tovey have shown, by embracing both traditional and modern media formats, that they have the potential to be the professionals of the near future.
First things first, though, and the small matter of finishing the sports journalism degree that led to the creation of Puncher’s Chance.
“We’re going into the final year of university, but I’d love to do another one,” says Thomas. “With online media, you can get wrapped up too much in the number, but with a magazine, it’s really nice to focus on a passion project and put stories together the way we want.”
This appreciation for proper journalism and enthusiasm for traditional media from members of the younger generation can only be applauded and should be encouraged. To order a copy of the magazine, email Sam.hillJ@outlook.com or get in touch via their social media channels at linktr.ee/ThePunchersChancePodcast
