Graham Houston
@fightwriterone
Followers
5K
Following
353
Media
22
Statuses
16K
Longtime boxing writer/editor ( “Boxing News”/“Boxing Monthly”). Hall of Fame inductee. Winner of Nat Fleischer excellence in boxing journalism award.
Vancouver B.C.
Joined July 2011
Pleased to hear Adonis Stevenson is out of a coma and talking. That's the best news I've heard so far in this new year.
16
59
472
When a publication dies, for some readers it's like a little part of their lives is now missing. From responses received it seems that many feel that way about the death of Boxing Monthly. To all our loyal readers, heartfelt thanks.
52
39
330
I don't follow MMA, but Dana White's UFC show seemed to work very well last night (no spectators, trainers wearing face masks). Darkened arena meant TV viewers were not looking at rows of empty seats. If UFC can pull it off, so can boxing.
20
32
252
This performance by Kovalev raises Andre Ward's all-time stock.
19
28
241
My God, Frank Sanchez is one boring heavyweight. Cruising to a 10-round decision, lands one good shot at a time and backs away.
23
10
232
Honoured to be voted winner of Nat Fleischer excellence in boxing journalism award. Was avid reader of Mr. Fleischer in The Ring many years ago. Wheel comes full circle. Thanks to peers who voted for me.
41
25
218
This is Nathalie, Graham Houston was admitted to hospital on sunday. He hopes to be up and about soon. Just letting you all know.
75
6
197
When Muhammad Ali boxed an eight-round exhibition with the football player Lyle Alzado (RIP) he just boxed nice and easy, covered up when Alzado let his hands go, didn't want to humiliate a game trier.
19
16
175
Boxing is about a lot of things. Entertainment is one of them. Shakur Stevenson is flat out unentertaining. Boring to watch. Talented but not prepared to take a modicum of risk against anyone with any sort of a punch.
27
26
174
I'm out of hospital now. Thanks for all the well wishes. I had partial hip replacement. I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. Now comes the slow, painful, recovery process. I'm just taking this one day at a time, which I guess is all you can do.
45
3
172
Deontay Wilder quoted as saying you have to dominate a champ to take his title. Funny how many people still believe that.
32
13
135
Cancelled DAZN today. I subscribe ONLY to watch boxing and who knows when boxing will resume? June? July? DAZN really should have sent out a letter to subscribers offering some sort of rebate. I believe this is called "creating goodwill".
12
15
135
That was a tremendous fight, kudos to both men. Me: 114-112 in favour of Fury but 113-113 looked a fair score. How Fury got up from that 12th-round knockdown, God alone knows.
16
28
144
Not everyone's gonna agree with this, but, to me, the UK PPV shows are great value. So far, more than four and a half hours of boxing with main event still to come. In US you get four bouts on PPV, at least one of which will invariably be a showcase mismatch.
24
11
131
No VADA testing for Pacquiao vs Thurman? I think I have avague notion which of the boxers that might favour.
14
13
125
Blown away by all the kind comments about how much Boxing Monthly will be missed. Carl Frampton gave a nice mention in his Northern Ireland newspaper column. Thanks for that Carl, appreciate it.
9
9
123
Must say I am a little surprised at so many people in Britain rejoicing over Chocolatito's win. I guess Chocolatito falls into the "much loved" category pretty much worldwide. First-ballot Hall of Famer for sure. One hell of a fighter.
10
6
110
Fights like Ruiz vs Joshua are what make boxing the greatest of all spectator sports and also keep the game alive. Deontay Wilder must be kicking himself for not agreeing terms for the Joshua fight when he had the chance.
4
24
109
That was te most exciting 6-rounder I have ever seen.
3
27
106
I praised PBC and the Fox deal at start of year. I take that back. Amateurish, inexcusable and unacceptable that Iwasa vs Juarez and Kriel vs Licona, the two best fights on the show, are off TV. PBC doesn't give a damn about fans.
10
22
91
Finally dropping Keith Thurman from Boxing Monthly world ratings. I know there have been injuries, but 18 months' inactivity, no bout scheduled — what can you do?.
10
12
91
I thought Frank Warren's 'Magnificent 7' promotion was top-to-bottom outstanding. Reminded me of those stacked Don King cards when DK was riding high.
9
13
101
GGG deserving winner in very tough, close fight. Probably the fight of the year -- it will take some beating.
6
19
92
I'm not into PPVs of exhibition matches. Paying to see Floyd in a public sparring match just doesn't interest me.
15
4
96
No boxing, no life? God help me, it's true in my case. Anyway, for those interested I look back over the years with a few of the countless memories and highlights:
18
25
94
Joshua looked in a bad way after the fight, not so much physically, just mentally, emotionally shattered.
15
2
92
Why do people keep writing "former Olympic gold medallist"? A boxer is ALWAYS an Olympic gold medallist. For all time. Not like being a former champion. Am I right or am I right?.
11
9
88
Showtime absolutely kicking HBO's ass . sensational evening of boxing. Meanwhile HBO happy in the PPV packaging business.
7
31
87
Showboating when in with a dangerous opponent is kind of daring. But to clown around against a hopelessly outclassed opponent (a la Ben Whittaker on the weekend) has a real unpleasantness about it. Smacks of bullying.
12
11
90
Saddened, and a bit shaken TBH, to hear of Pernell Whitaker's death. Was ringside for a number of Sweet Pea's bouts, including Chavez at the Alamodome and Oscar, Azumah in Las Vegas, also interviewed him. RIP, Sweet Pea.
3
15
88
I was ringside at the Anglo-American Sporting Club in Mayfair when Ali boxed an exhibition with Graham Sines and Johnny Frankham on the same night. Ali had fun, even feigned a knockdown. Felt no need to open up. One reason why Ali was loved and revered.
4
9
75
Stop the presses! This morning Matchroom Boxing events suddenly reappeared on DAZN Canada's schedule, starting with Harper vs Jonas on Friday. Re-think at corporate level? But this is encouraging for Canadian fight fans and a good move by DAZN Canada.
9
6
82
Wish people in the sport would stop saying that the object of boxing is one man trying to inflict brain damage on the other. Heard this again in Showtime documentary 'The Kings' on Sunday. So completely wrong. Object is to win the bout. Big difference.
11
13
78
Tweet about Kovalev's win on Sat. raising Andre Ward's stock got 254 likes. Two people posted insulting tweets. (Goodbye to them.) To me, it's so obvious: the greater Kov's achievements, the better it makes SOG look for having beaten him.
15
6
82
Surprised there will be no British TV of Superfly2. As I said to someone today, when you get used to having something, you get to expect it. So, after a long run of all US fights, must be a real downer for UK fans not to get great show such as this.
15
16
77
That was one of the best heavyweight fights I have ever seen. Huge props to both men.
3
37
78
DAZN commentary seemed pro-Serrano to me, Katie not getting the credit for some nice boxing and moving in early rounds especially. But -- great fight. Lived up to expectations.
4
2
82
I think Szpilka should be thinking about retirement. He's been stopped/knocked down too many times now. Any time Artur gets hit anywhere above the neck there's a problem.
6
3
75
Well, Fury did what he said he'd do, took the fight to Wilder, bullied him and beat him up. So many fighters these days don't back up big words. Some do, though — Fury is one of them.
3
10
80
I found the Mayweather "exhibition" distasteful. Ot was like the school bully beating up a plucky younger kid. I thought the idea was FM would "box nicely" for 3 rounds, not look for a KO? Ten pounds weight diff. but looked much more.
20
11
68
Does the boxer ALWAYS beat the fighter? Well, Usyk schooled Gassiev but a few weeks earlier, slugger Kerman Lejarraga blasted out stylish betting favourite Bradley Skeete. Never quite as simple as it might seem.
11
7
71
There's an image out there of judge Terry O'Connor looking down at his cell phone during one of the rounds of the Ritson-Vazquez fight. I believe a judge should watch every second of every round intently. Am I right or am I right?.
14
4
69
I really like Errol Spence Jr. He's a throwback tyoe of fighter, sharp, intelligent, focused, excellent punch-variety, power, great mechanics — and he likes to hurt opponents, which in pro boxing is all to the good.
3
13
71
So now I know. DAZN customer service tells me DAZN has discontinued Matchroom Boxing due to "certain commercial sensitivities with the rights". Translation: DAZN Canada won't pay what Matchroom Boxing is asking. But I CAN watch 'darts, bowling and fishing'.
11
14
69
Dubois vs Gorman an annihilation. Where were the cute boxing skills we were supposed to see from Gorman? I think Dubois' power and precision simply shut Gorman down. Seemed all Gorman could do was throw wild left hooks and duck for cover. Impressed with DD.
8
9
69
I had Fury eking it out 95-94 but couldn't believe what I was watching. Awful performance. But sheer experience got him over the line -- barely.
8
13
62
Michael Buffer's a hoot. Twice calls Gary Corcoran "Gary Gallagher" at the weigh-in and then refers to Jeff Horn as "The Horn" instead of "The Hornet".
16
21
67
People say Billy Joe can't win a decision over Canelo in Vegas. But Frankie Randall got the nod over Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez in Vegas, right?.
30
10
67
Sudden. Startling. And, sometimes, misleading? In the wake of Ismael Barroso's one-round win I take a look at some of boxing's first-round finishes. For those interested
5
14
68
Chris Mannix last night: "It's very difficult to go to Japan and get a decision." Actually, have to say "not so". Japan has always been level playing field for visiting boxers, going back to Rose W15 Harada.
14
5
67
The two WBSS cruiser semifinal fights were absolutely great. What a success this series has turned out to be.
5
12
62
It's being pointed out that Fury winning score was incorrectly announced as 114-110 but should have been 114-112. You could say no harm done, but in a mega fight such as this they really should get these things right first time. It ain't rocket science.
1
8
66
I thought Ted Cheeseman boxed really well but Fitzgerald finished strongly. I had it 114-114. DAZN commentary was very pro Cheeseman. (No doubt Ted would say the DAZN guys had it spot on.) Feel for Ted, but no robbery here — good, close bout.
5
7
63
So Canelo is no longer IBF middleweight champion? Just confirms Boxing Monthly decision to drop champion designation from our world ratings was right one. Everything has gone crazy. Who the hell knows who the champions are any more?.
8
6
68
Seems odd to me that when a fighter scores a body-shot KO it's now being described as catching his opponent "on the button". To me, "on the button" always meant "on the point of the chin". Ever-changing terminology.
11
2
62
British and some Euro judges still give 10-10 rounds. A 10-10 round gives a judge breathing room, so to say, but, for me, it's a cop out. I'll see if I can dig up my Boxing Monthly column on 10-10 rounds and post it here for those interested.
12
6
68
Dave Allen. "The greatest day of my life, Ever, ever, ever!" What a nice fella.
1
5
61
Surprised that Max Kellerman and even Shawn Porter thought Wilder should have been allowed to "go out on his shield". Wilder had taken enough. Maybe could have lasted another round but what would have been the point of that?.
12
2
58
Today received a very nice email from DAZN head office in NYC. I really appreciated that.
10
1
59
Pretty sure I'm in the minority but I don't particularly care for over-the-top, borderline screaming, boxing commentaries. (But I think that's what broadcasters want in this day and age.).
13
5
62
GGG was busy but I liked Max Kellerman's line that Canelo won "the story of the fight". Canelo looked the stronger man and the puncher in there. GGG still a heck of a fighter but very slight decline had been noted by a number of observers.
13
18
59
Different weight divisions, but that was a bit like Steve Collins vs Nigel Benn II . Bellew was right, Haye was a machine that was broken and couldn't be fixed, as was Nigel vs Collins in the rematch,.
6
17
58
Omar Narvaez still winning fights at 43. That Naoya Inoue KO2 Narvaez was a truly spectacular result when you think about it. Neither Tete nor Nonito could put a dent in crafty, durable Narvaez.
5
20
55
In 1976 Boxing News I wrote a column headlined "Foreman's going to be champ again". Prediction came true — even if it took 18 years!.
5
2
62
Nice of Andre Ward to give kudos to old rival Kov. for showing the "intestinal fortitude" to be able to come back from adversity.
2
8
51
I'm starting to think it should be an automatic one-point deduction when a fighter spits out his mouthpiece after getting dropped. This tactic is now becoming a bit too commonplace.
3
4
61
Pacquiao is a freak of nature, that's for sure. But he doesn't need Spence or Crawford.
13
9
58
Violent attack on Ivana Habazin's trainer, an older man. Now the Shields vs Habazin fight off. What a world we live in. Hope Bashir has full, speedy recovery. Things can get chippy in pre-fight verbals, but it should never come to this.
4
7
56
Pacquiao one of the all-time greats, Some might say why didn't he show that much fire and energy against Mayweather. I guess Mayweather wouldn't let him.
18
6
55
Usyk was hurting Joshua more than Joshua was hurting Usyk. Last two rounds saw Usyk not only pulling right away but he was oh so close to stopping AJ. Odds surprisingly tight in play. Joshua actually -125 after 11 rounds, Usyk +100 as bell ended Rd 11.
3
6
56
Fury 273! But that was with shoes, shorts and warm-up top. Not like old days when boxers weighed in wearing shorts only. And was that a weighted top, to give Wilder wrong take on Fury's actual weight? Fury clever at mind games.
8
7
54
Winning two Olympic golds is quite an achievement. That said, Claressa's "Greatest woman of all time" shtick is getting old. Lucia Rijker, Wolfe, Laila Ali wd. never have let plucky Habazin got 10 rounds.
8
12
53
Me: 115-113 Triple G. Adalaide Byrd 118-110 in Canelo's favour? Now I've seen everything.
12
17
52
DAZN commentator Brian Kenny questioning "journalistic integrity" of Sky crew made me smile. BK thought it was a bit off for commentators to be yelling encouragement to AJ. Lucky that Harry Carpenter's "Get in there, Frank!!" urging was before BK's time.
12
4
55
Talking of heavyweights, the great, much-missed Emanuel Steward once told me: "The old black guys in Detroit would get really angry with me when I told them Lennox Lewis would have beaten Joe Louis.".
8
14
56
Nudging up towards 5,000 followers. That's cool. I just try to provide interesting tidbits, some historical stuff, trivia, fight reviews, a few personal likes and dislikes. Very seldom feel the need to block anyone.
6
0
55
Awful news about Maxim Dadashev. It's in these long, gruelling fights when tragedies always more likely to occur. Fighters push themselves beyond "normal" limits. In the moment, it's as if the fight becomes more important than life itself.
2
3
50
Just heard a CNN anchor dismissing Jack Johnson as "a boxer who died 70 years ago". Good grief. Johnson was one of history's greatest boxers.
3
4
54
Tremendous win for Gvozdyk --- boxed to order, then came on to hammer Stevenson with big right hands for 11th-round KO . Nice to see Teddy Atlas, in trainer's role, get a world title success, too.
1
11
55
Tremendous performance by Katie Taylor but, my oh my, such a pro-Katie commentary from DAZN crew. Me: 96-94 in Katie's favour. I had her closing strongly in the last two rounds. (She also finished stronger in the first meeting.).
10
6
55
Re last night's all-heavyweight PPV show, in Sept. 1977 Don King presented a "Night of the Heavyweights" card on free-TV NBC network, with, as I recall, 4 televised bouts. Ken Norton, Larry Holmes, Ron Lyle and Jimmy Young were featured in separate bouts.
8
5
51
"Have you ever boxed?" putdown is BS. It's like director of a movie that tanks saying to critics: "Have YOU ever directed a movie?" Also, a lot of older people actually have boxed a little bit. (Used to be semi-compulsory in UK schools, long time ago.).
9
0
55
So, it's all over for Haye . No punch resistance, no balance. But well done Tony Bellew, who took advantage of what was in front of him.
7
12
48
RIP Carlos Ortiz. One of the greats, for me the greatest Puerto Rican fighter ever, although raised in New York. Boxed twice in UK, including points win over tough Dave Charnley on last-ever show at famed Harringay Arena.
4
10
53
You know, loyalty is a thing of the past. HBO used boxing as a prime programming tool in its launch. Now dropped? I remember motels advertising "Watch Marvin Hagler's fight here — all our rooms have HBO!".
2
8
55
HBO to drop boxing? Then I'll canel my subscription as soon as the last fight airs. If it's true, this is a terrible mistake by HBO. Convinced they will feel a backlash from subscriber drop-off.
9
8
52
One of the greatest last-round finishes EVER in British boxing. What a chin and heart from Buglioni.
3
17
46
Fights like today's are what keeps us all enthused. Really high-level boxing, plus guts and sheer mental and physical toughness on both sides. Kudos to both men.
2
7
49
I went to bat for Matchroom Boxing and Canadian boxing fans when DAZN Canada removed Matchroom boxing from its schedule. Might even have been instrumental in getting them restored. I might be a lot of things but being an inaccurate reporter isn't one of them.
4
3
49
Pacquiao calling out Mayweather for a rematch? They won't get my PPV dollar again if it happens. How does the saying go? "Once bitten, twice shy.".
10
8
51
Sad to hear of the passing pf Smokin' Bert Cooper at only 53. Remember watching him on TV destroying Canadian hopeful Willie de Wit in two rounds in Saskatchewan. RIP, Bert.
2
5
51
Don't ever tell me about "hometown" British officiating again!! Brit. judge Phil Edwards gives visitor Hooker the verdict 117-111, to give Dallas boxer a split win. 117-111. WTF?! (Me: 115-113 in Hooker's favour.).
11
13
52
Just doing something on Barrera vs Morales I. Controversial decision. Asked at the press conference if he thought he had won, Morales said he wasn't keeping score: "I was too busy fighting." I liked that reply.
3
4
54
Two rounds into Saunders vs Lemieux and I just wrote "Fight over!" in my notebook. Saunders boxing beautifully, Lem. can't do a thing.
2
8
51
Bermane Stiverne's 273lbs at today's weigh-in reminded me of when Kirk Johnson came in at a career-high 260lbs for the Vitali Klitschko fight. That fight was all over in two rounds, of course.
6
5
49
Wow! That was impressive. Povetkin a tough, competent fighter, dangerous, too, but by 6th AJ had him figured out, then a devastating 7th-round ending.
5
12
50
OK, enough of this trend where a boxer violently shoves his opponent during a face-off. Automatic stiff fine needed. Plus, this stuff sends out the wrong message to kids who might be interested in getting into boxing, wrong message about boxing in general.
6
3
48
Heard a TV commentator say yesterday he couldn't remember a Mexican southpaw. Say what!? Gilberto Ramirez, Luis Nery, and further back Cristian Mijares, Ponce De Leon, Bazooka Limon, Jose Luis Ramirez, several others.
7
6
48
Interesting that Daniel Roman and TJ Doheny, who meet in a unification bout on Friday, each won his world title in Japan. Knowledgeable fans would know that Japan is probably the fairest location in the world for a visting boxer.
3
4
49
Kinda unbelievable that Rances Barthelemy gets national TV spot. One of the most boring boxers on the planet. Risk-averse in the extreme.
10
7
51