BoxRec

tear up wrote:

expe wrote:Marc Callaghan was a British title challenger and has just had his license revoked after not winning a fight for 6 1/2 years.

Marc s a top lad give me two of my hardest fight s out of 33 as a pro warrior out British title fight should of been fight of the year stood toe 2 toe for ten rounds

Marc Callaghan was a top fighter, if he wants to earn a few quid as a journeyman then good for him. Half the people he now fights wouldn't go the distance in his hey day or even if he was trying now! He doesn't go out to win, end of story. Unfortunately for him Boxers don't get footballers wages so that is probably why he continues.

expe wrote:Marc Callaghan was a British title challenger and has just had his license revoked after not winning a fight for 6 1/2 years.

That's the thing though isn't it. I've been to a few shows where Callaghan had boxed on in his 'journeymen' days and if he was the home fighter he would have for sure got the win. Callaghan v Ben Day for example, at the least it was a draw although a few ringside felt he had won. V Mathew Marsh, close enough that you couldn't have argued either way but of course on paper Callaghan was the one there for the 'payday' only. V Eddie Hussain, again a few there felt Callaghan was in control and won the fight...But he wasn't Warren's 'prospect' was he. I recall him boxing a Scotsman in his days towards the end over 8 rounds but the name escapes me, Lenny woodhall was in Callaghan's corner, Callaghan didn't have a coach, he turned up on his own. Woodhall said to me after that he walked into the changing room and ask's who fancied doing his corner for '50 quid'. woodhall said he'd have loved to of got hold of him in his younger days when he had ambition, he feels he could of made something of him.

It's all well and good saying that a fighter hasn't 'won' in so many fights or years but seriously, do those on the board who make these decisions look at the facts at why they might not have a win?

Also, I hear that this wasn't the reason, or sole main reason. The reason is that a shadow has appeared on his brain scan and it had got bigger.

Callaghan had a few personal issues I believe when he was at his physical peak which didn't help him to get to where he could have done. Shame, certainly could have achieved a lot more with his talent but life isn't perfect I guess. Hat off to him now, swallows his pride and loses to fighters that would not go the distance in his hey day.

mickey1975 wrote:

danconnollyeire wrote:Glen Johnson is a world level journeyman. Leon Spinks was a gold medalist/world champion turned sort of journeyman. You could see Del Boy turning in to one if he loses his next fight

Johnson is not a journeyman. Emmanuel August was a high end journeyman if you like. Johnson is a former world champion.

Johnson for the past 5 years has lasted the journey ever bout and lost to everyone @ world level pretty much, which kind of makes him a world level journeyman

dalcumly wrote:To Johnny Greaves , Matt Seawright, Kevin Mc Auley , Sid Razak and Billy Smith. Come on lads give us punters a real boost and go for it in your next few fights . I'm not so certain that your work would stop with a few tidy wins. It would just make the new lads coming in to face you a bit more wary, and thats a good thing for everybody. Give it a go !!!!

I refereed Seawright a couple of months ago and gave him the win against the local fighter in Newcastle, becasue he deserved it. To say the journeymen won't take the chance to win if it arrives during the fight is an insult to them as men.
They realised early on that they were limited and probably wouldn't be even be british level. They then made the decision to stay in shape, at their weight & travel at short notice anywhere they're asked and against fighters who are usually much better than them. That takes balls.
This is not corruption in boxing, its happened for over 100yrs. Fighters don't get 50/50 fights until they're fit enough and skilled enough to take that step, otherwise they could get hurt. The "journeymen" are all physically strong men who are not blessed with the full package but enough to test a new fighter's resolve and strength/power.
They are the lifeblood of this sport. Imagine climbing through the ropes at short notice knowing that your more than likely gonna be in against a better fighter..
The only problem occurs with bouts against limited fighters in learning fights like this is when they inexplicably find their way to top billing on a card and are advertised as such, rahter than the undercard where they belong. This smacks of promoter greed and over hype of his fighter.

TopGun wrote:

tear up wrote:

expe wrote:Marc Callaghan was a British title challenger and has just had his license revoked after not winning a fight for 6 1/2 years.

Marc s a top lad give me two of my hardest fight s out of 33 as a pro warrior out British title fight should of been fight of the year stood toe 2 toe for ten rounds

Marc Callaghan was a top fighter, if he wants to earn a few quid as a journeyman then good for him. Half the people he now fights wouldn't go the distance in his hey day or even if he was trying now! He doesn't go out to win, end of story. Unfortunately for him Boxers don't get footballers wages so that is probably why he continues.

I am sure that I watch a documentary over 10 years about a young pro who was just starting out and had a few pro fights and was being touted as a prospect - I am sure it was Callaghan (does anybody else remember this ?) - shame how things turn out.

johnnygreaves wrote:

dalcumly wrote:Kevin McAuley. I think he once won the Midlands Area title, now fighting every week, and losing !

I fully understand the arguments put forward for journeymen ,and some I've spoken to say that as soon as promoters started to realise they were trying to win fights, they dried up .

But, fans pay good money to see fights and if one fighter isn't trying then this amounts to a sparring session. Ten defeats in a row then they should be suspended and brought in front of the Board.

Of course the REAL problem is that promoters and managers don't want to risk their boxers undefeated records. It's embarassing really, where's the self respect in telling your family and friends that you've had a 100 fights and lost 85 0f them ?

is there no respect telling my kids that although I have no work skills or gcse,s that I've fed & clothed you by sheer hard work,pain& 100's of miles?

Very well put

John Anthony from Doncaster?

palooka wrote:

johnnygreaves wrote:

dalcumly wrote:Kevin McAuley. I think he once won the Midlands Area title, now fighting every week, and losing !

I fully understand the arguments put forward for journeymen ,and some I've spoken to say that as soon as promoters started to realise they were trying to win fights, they dried up .

But, fans pay good money to see fights and if one fighter isn't trying then this amounts to a sparring session. Ten defeats in a row then they should be suspended and brought in front of the Board.

Of course the REAL problem is that promoters and managers don't want to risk their boxers undefeated records. It's embarassing really, where's the self respect in telling your family and friends that you've had a 100 fights and lost 85 0f them ?

is there no respect telling my kids that although I have no work skills or gcse,s that I've fed & clothed you by sheer hard work,pain& 100's of miles?

Very well put

bloody hell,that was well put for a thick sod like me!haha.

I have heard from a few lads that work dries up after a few wins a lad I spoke to after a prizfighter prospect fight who dropped the prospect was apparently warned off ?

Any ex journeymen willing to share their experiences ?

80/20 wrote:I have heard from a few lads that work dries up after a few wins a lad I spoke to after a prizfighter prospect fight who dropped the prospect was apparently warned off ?

Any ex journeymen willing to share their experiences ?

The Billy Smith obituary piece in last weeks Boxing News mentioned something along those lines.

palooka wrote:

80/20 wrote:I have heard from a few lads that work dries up after a few wins a lad I spoke to after a prizfighter prospect fight who dropped the prospect was apparently warned off ?

Any ex journeymen willing to share their experiences ?

The Billy Smith obituary piece in last weeks Boxing News mentioned something along those lines.

Im sure there is a book in some of the lads with a view through their eyes

Someone pointed out on a thread the other week that Max Maxwell is filling the opponent role now.

Carson Jones & Matthew Hall ?

Philip Holiday once he lost his world title.

Howard Daley

edit: No, you idiot, Howard Clarke!

dookus wrote:Howard Daley

Nice story of combining being a police officer with being a journeyman. But he was never so called 'decent.'

I've got a documentary due to be screened soon on bt sport. It touches on some things related in this thread. Keep your eyes open. Should be a cracker!

johnnygreaves wrote:I've got a documentary due to be screened soon on bt sport. It touches on some things related in this thread. Keep your eyes open. Should be a cracker!

Would you please give us the date it'll be shown Johnny - when you know, I'll get a hold of that.

Siarhei Liakahovich fights Deontay Wilder on friday,he falls into that catogary slightly

johnnygreaves wrote:I've got a documentary due to be screened soon on bt sport. It touches on some things related in this thread. Keep your eyes open. Should be a cracker!

I look forward to catching this and wish you all the best for your last couple and great future Johnny you are have provided great entertainment and crucial learning for many a prospect.

good luck !

Barry jones hard as nails when he boxed kell brook and put up a good fight

Thanks for the interest fellas.weve been aiming towards the 100 fights and my retirement.ive got my final two dates and ill post a thread when I have a date for screening.most posters on here have been great too me And have kept me pushing on thru over the last few fights. How some of these boys have 150 odd is beyond me.im ready for the knackers yard. So thanks muchly

polecateddy wrote:

dookus wrote:Howard Daley

Nice story of combining being a police officer with being a journeyman. But he was never so called 'decent.'

Hahaha, whoops! I confused him with Howard Clarke

canonball1234 wrote:Barry jones hard as nails when he boxed kell brook and put up a good fight

Good call, Liam.