MightyGloves.com

Team Diva-Dan Horgan

posted by Kathleen Holland on April 10, 2008, in Punch Lines By Judi Abate

By Judi Abate
Boxing Diva

Connecting with Dan Horgan ( Team Diva-Member Six) was an unique experience. Thanks to a social/business networking website. I found Dan, fellow boxing writer, on an interactive network of friends, groups, blogs and profiles dealing with the boxing community. (The Boxing Queen of Myspace will round out my last interview in this series so stay tuned.)

Curiosity over boxing reporting and interview technique lead me to contact Dan. Just to set the record straight-his age 18 did not in any way stop me from asking advice or brainstorming ideas with him. Dan was extremely helpful, friendly and accommodating. What I found refreshing concerning Dan was his "positive" outlook on the sweet science when so many writers can only put boxing down with their harsh words and negativity. His dedication to making the boxing community more accountable for keeping boxing in a positive light also inspired my own crusade on reporting what is "great" about boxing and showing what we should try to "fix" also.

Dan encouraged my creative writing approach on boxing issues. I definitely am an " outside the box" thinker where boxing is concerned. I was extremely happy to find a like minded writer who would never trash talk the sport of boxing regardless of it's much publicized flaws and also loved boxing as much as I do.

Dan invited me to write for doghouseboxing.com where he was assistant editor at the time. That was a very special compliment and a nice pat on the back. I declined but was grateful for the vote of confidence. :-)

Let's talk to Dan Horgan:

Why did you get involved in boxing?

The answer is quite simple: it's the greatest sport on earth. My grandfather was an amateur fighter, and my father was a big time fan, and I simply fell in love with the fight game as soon as I was old enough to watch it.

Your personal boxing experience includes...

My buddies and I often go to deserted parking lots on Saturday nights and throw down with some old gloves I have. We aren't very good, but it's a hell of a fun time.

Your boxing philosophy...

My boxing writing philosophy is to be an unbiased journalist who captures the magic of a fight in articles.

Current boxers or projects you're working on.

I recently wrote a book entitled: "Bringing Back Boxing: A Young Journalist's Attempt to Revive the Sweet Science" in which I highlight the positive aspects of the modern fight game. To find out where to purchase the book, go to myspace.com/boxingbook.

I also frequently contribute articles to Doghouseboxing.com and Maxboxing.com.

Future boxing plans...

Over the next few months, I'll be marketing my recently released book. I feel that it's important that all fight fans read it, because I illuminate on what's GOOD in the boxing world rather than what's bad.

My ultimate goal is to save boxing through media, and my next step is to expand my horizons a bit. Next summer, I hope to write a biography of someone who isn't involved in the boxing world, particularly someone who has a lot of fans in their teens and twenties. I figure if I can expand my readership, I can also expand boxing's popularity.

Favorite boxer and why?

As a journalist, I'm not supposed to have a favorite fighter. I'm supposed to be unbiased and not play favorites. But the man who really lured me into the sweet science was Roy Jones Jr. His ostentatious, cocky nature captivated me.
Favorite all time fight and why?

Micky Ward-Arturo Gatti I. Ward's courage was nothing short of amazing.
A good boxer is...

Anyone who has the guts to lace up the gloves and not take a dive.
A good trainer/coach is...

Someone who cares about their fighter's well being.
How can we keep boxing strong?

We have to stick together and keep expanding. Boxing is actually in a really exciting time now, and it will be for the next few years. We need to convert more casual fans into hardcore fans, and we need to convert more general sports fans into casual boxing fans.

Your famous last words about boxing...

The fan's role is just as important as any other role in keeping boxing alive. The sweet science is far from dead -- we just have to show the rest of the world that.

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