Note: RingTV.com, THE RING magazine Web site, will preview each month’s issue when it hits the stands. The January issue is available now on stands and by clicking here. You can subscribe to the magazine by clicking here.

COVER STORY

The headline on the January 2011 cover reads: “WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO, A Champion in Search of a Challenge.” Will he find one against journeyman Derek Chisora when they meet on Dec. 11 in Mannheim, Germany? RING European correspondent Brian Doogan explores that possibility and the British challenger’s long and winding road from his native Zimbabwe to England, where he found boxing. Chisora has only 14 professional fights and is known best for biting an opponent, a la Mike Tyson. Hence the headline on the story: “WHO IS DEREK CHISORA, and Why is He Fighting Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko?”

“It’s just a strange situation, a guy like Derek Chisora fighting for the heavyweight championship of the world,” said Nigel Collins, Editor in Chief of THE RING magazine.

RING 100

Another exciting feature this month is the annual THE RING 100, in which the best fighters in the world are ranked. Senior writer William Dettloff provides a status reports on where each fighter is now and what we can expect in the future.

“This is our 15th consecutive RING 100,” Collins said. “I think it gives the reader a pretty good idea of who’s who in boxing even if we sometimes disagree on the rankings. The feature has proved to be very popular over the years.

“I’m sure our regular readers love it. And I think it’s good for someone who picks up the magazine now and then. It provides a good overview of where each fighter is in today’s pecking order.”

Who’s No. 1? Hint: He’s also an elected official.

OTHER FEATURED STORIES

The January issue was put together during a slow period for boxing, which allowed the editors to devote a great deal of space to previewing upcoming fights.

Regular contributor David Mayo takes an in depth look at “The Fab Four,” the four fighters taking part in Showtime’s fascinating four-man bantamweight tournament. The tournament kicks off on Dec. 11 in Tacoma, Wash., with Abner Mares fighting Vic Darchinyan and Yonnhy Perez facing Joseph Agbeko. ÔǪ

Gavin Evans, another European correspondent, breaks down the Amir Khan–Marcos Maidana fight on Dec. 11 in Las Vegas. Evans asks, “Does “El Chino” Have More than a Puncher’s Chance?” Good question. ÔǪ

Eric Raskin, a contributing editor, writes about the compelling fight between RING light heavyweight champ Jean Pascal and the ageless Bernard Hopkins. The headline – “GENERATION SCRAP, Pascal Takes Aim at a Legend, Hopkins Takes Aim at History” – gives you a good idea of how Raskin approached the story. ÔǪ

And, finally, Managing Editor Joseph Santoliquito gets up close and personal with Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, who has struggled in an attempt to make it big after his success on The Contender series.