BoxRec

I think this is a massively overused term in boxing. When I think of journeymen (and I mean absolutely no disrespect to these guys who I'm naming) I think of guys like William Warburton, Brett Fidoe, Jamie Ambler, Paul Butlin. Guys with quite a lot of losses but very few knockout losses.

I find it amazing the number of guys with single figure losses get labelled with this moniker. Sean Dodd is boxing at the mo and one commentator (if you can call him that) is saying at one point Dodd was looking like he would become a journeyman. He has lost 2 (possibly 3 after tonight) fights for god sake.

I think some boxers set out to be journeymen, just use boxing as an income. Some boxers will realise their level and fight at that level full term and only take debutants and up and comers.

There is no disrepect in being a journeymen, its just being like a league 2 footballer, they know they will neve rmake premiership but good enough to stay at their level. sometimes the journeyman does come out on top and upset the applecart, thats for them winning the FA Cup.

Michael Murray v Kevin McBride
Michael Murray v Julius Francis
Michael Murray v Marcus Bott

Ive used Michael Murray as an example because I loved the fella but he had his limits and knew it.

I would consider a Journeymen to be any fighter who shows up and gives a legit effort every time out, and pulls off the upset every now and again.

gilgamesh wrote:I would consider a Journeymen to be any fighter who shows up and gives a legit effort every time out, and pulls off the upset every now and again.

Everyone knows a journeyman is a 'have gloves will travel' type. Sometimes they are good and sometimes they are awful. Their record doesn't mirror their ability (in most cases). A lot come in survival mode and that's just part of the game. I bet there is a lot of journeymen that have walked away from fighting certain prospects genuinely believing 'I should've just went for it and beat him there'.

I've seen it used both to descirbe contenders with a few losses and people with overwhelmingly losing records. There probably needs to be more terms.

A lad i know went pro last year on south coast. Take this however you like, but this statement is straight from horses mouth.

"I got double money last time out from the promoter for agreeing to lose"

Might be bullshitting cos he lost. But wouldnt be a huge shock if true.

I think that too often 'journeymen' is used when 'opponent' would be a better description. I'd describe the likes of Demarcus Corley and Glen Johnson as contenders who became journeymen, whereas Michael Sprott was a journeyman who later just became an opponent.

Heard many fighters labelled as journeyman when they were far from it.