The Ring was established in 1922. Since 1928, it has named a fighter as Fighter of the Year, based on the magazine's writers' criteria. This award is a gold and silver medal given to the boxer, who, during the year previous, has by his conduct and fighting qualities "earned the esteem of the sports public." The four points which originally governed the award were:
- He must be foremost in his contribution to the skill and the science of boxing and he need not be a champion.
- The recipient must combine with his high place in the ranking of fighters a similar position as a sportsman.
- He must associate with the abilities as a fighter good public relations and a reputation for clean and moral living.
- The boxer receiving the award must be recognized as an example to the growing youth.
Here is a list of Ring Magazine's Fighters of the Year:
Famous quotes containing the words ring, magazine, fighters and/or year:
“The life of man is a self-evolving circle, which, from a ring imperceptibly small, rushes on all sides outwards to new and larger circles, and that without end.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Evil passions and evil inclinations are much more dangerous than evil books. The sensualist will extract poison from the purest page, the modest can blush without being corrupted.”
—“Colimetis,” U.S. women’s magazine contributor. American Ladies Magazine, pp. 145-7 (April, 1828)
“All fighters are prostitutes and all promotors are pimps.”
—Larry Holmes (b. 1949)
“And year by year our memory fades
From all the circle of the hills.”
—Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892)