2024 BWAA Awards

And my honourable mention

On Wednesday, the Boxing Writer’s Association of America (BWAA) announced the winners of its annual writing awards.

Each year, BWAA members submit entries and a panel of judges votes for the best pieces in six different categories: Event Coverage, Column, News Story, Feature Under 1,500 Words, Feature Over 1,500 Words, and Investigative Reporting.

I submitted one entry for 2024, for the Long Feature (over 1,500 words) category. I wrote about the rematch between Bob Foster and Pierre Fourie, which took place in Johannesburg on December 1, 1973. It was a historic match because it was the first fight between Black and white fighters in South Africa in almost twenty years, since the beginning of Apartheid.

I am especially proud of this article because I initially started writing it in 2020, but then left it on hold for a few years due to lack of motivation. Last year, I committed to completing it because I like to finish what I started. I spent a great deal of time finishing it, and I am glad that I did because I was rewarded with an honourable mention (picture below).

That goes to show you that you can always come back to complete previous goals even if you took some time off. If the goal really matters to you, you can get it done!