Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Canelo Álvarez all have one thing in common. A diary that includes two-three fights a year generating millions upon millions of pounds. However, for every global superstar, there is a boxer ready to lose, get paid and help the next star on their way to the top of the boxing pyramid.
These fighters are called boxing journeymen. Although they do not have the household name of a Fury or Joshua their importance to boxing is imperative. So, what is a journeyman?
Johnny Greaves is one of the UK’s most well-known journeymen he had 100 professional fights which included 4 wins and 96 losses. Growing up in West Ham, by Upton Park he was fighting from a young age.
Greaves began fighting on the unlicensed circuit, going on tour around the UK. Fighting wherever he was needed.
Speaking on the Telf Talks podcast he said, “we loved to fight, we wouldn’t be fighting if we didn’t.”
In these fights Greaves became known for his entertainment value, “I was a bit cocky, I loved to wind up the crowd.” He like every up-and-coming fighter had a good amateur career, proving he was more than skilful enough to become a pro.
After turning professional to provide for his newborn son, Greaves quickly learned that losing meant more regular fights and a chance for a career in the sport.
“You just have to understand how the game works.” He said.
He made it very clear that it helped no one for him to win. The investment in the ‘kids’ as he called them is something promoters do to maximise their investment.
Greaves said, “they won’t want him to get beat by Johnny Greaves, it makes no financial sense.”
In terms of instructions, amazingly he was told how to perform in the ring by the promoters. He said, “I was told to go in and bounce around and look good.” However, it was made clear beforehand to Greaves that he shouldn’t win.
There is no contract, or any governing body telling him to lose or throw the fight. It is just business.
After a first-round knock-out win in his fourth fight, Greaves was out of work for a couple of months. He spoke about this frustration. Stating, “it was no good for me.” He had a newborn baby at home and learned the hard way that winning would mean no career in boxing. Greaves described it as then becoming a pure job.
In all sports, an underdog story is an ideal storyline. Boxing doesn’t allow this. As Frank Bruno once famously said, “boxing is show business with blood.” Greaves himself agreed with this statement and spoke about how he like any boxer once had a “dream of becoming a champion.”
Greaves was 30 years old when he came through as a professional. He only spent six years in the sport, but he had one clear vision in the sport.
“My goal was always to get to 100 fights.” Greaves said.
In his 100th and final fight, he beat fellow journeyman Dan Carr.
On the fairy-tale career-ending, he said, “it was the only fight I ever wanted to win in 100.” In his final fight, Greaves said, “I now understand what 99 other opponents went through when they were fighting me.”
His brother was in his corner that day and he had his father in the crowd who has now sadly passed away. He said, “I will never forget this day as long as I live.”
This happy ending doesn’t happen for 99% of journeymen in boxing. Boxing is not as glamorous as it seems with fighters often not even being paid. We are now seeing celebrity influencers like Jake Paul getting paid millions for one-off shows. Eddie Hearn recently said, “I don’t want this to become the norm.” Sport is all about inclusiveness, but money will always talk. Boxing is at a real crossroads.
The next time you do watch a future star in his first fight remember, the journeyman has a story to tell too.
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