The Barney Nagler Award, previously known as the James J. Walker Memorial Award, has been conferred annually since 1940 by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) for Long and Meritorious Service in Boxing. The award is named after sportswriter Barney Nagler.
First awarded in 1940, it was called the "Meritorious Service Award" until 1947.
Named for James J. Walker, the award previously honored the former New York City mayor and politician behind the Walker Law. Walker was the first recipient of the organization's service award in 1940, which was renamed the James J. Walker Memorial Award after his death in 1946.
By 1965, the annual award had been presented to prominent boxing personalities like James A. Farley, Jack Dempsey, Gene Tunney, Mickey Walker, and Jimmy Walker.
The award was later renamed in honor of the late former BWAA president Barney Nagler.
The award is presented alongside other BWAA honors at the annual awards dinner.
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