A lot of casual observers might skim a boxer's record and dismiss the fighter as a nobody if they have more defeats than victories.
In such a tough sport, with so many obstacles, bad luck, injuries, promotional wrangles and so forth, it can be hard to make it through the fog.
To have a winning record is something to be proud of but it can also be misleading. A boxer with a bit of a quirk - that might mean talent but it could also mean a huge following, an attractive appearance or a confident manner in front of the camera - might be allowed to build up an unbeaten record to make them an even more attractive proposition.
In short, their record and ego may be inflated and unrepresentative of their actual talent.
But most fighters aren't afforded that luxury. It's often sink or swim as far as the promoter is concerned and as the passages of time many promosing talents end up sliding. Do they continue in the sport? Well, it depends if they still have the passion and something to offer. If a fighter is not being hurt and can provide something and be a test at some level of the sport than why not carry on.
This is where a journeyman may appear.
Let's flip the coin from the unbeaten prospect and his cushioned path towards glory and look at two classic examples of journeymen at their very best - the American Anthony Ivory and gritty Brit Peter Buckland.
Anthony Ivory finished fighting in 2006. He ended up with a 32-78-5 record. In 115 fights he was only stopped five times.
Ivory actually won the first eight of his nine fights before his record slid. Perhaps his most memorable victory came in 1993 when he stopped future world title challenger Antwun Echols in one round.
Here are a list of future world champions and world title challengers he fought: Julio Cesar Vasquez, Luis Ramon 'Yori Boy' Campas, Ronald 'Winky' Wright, Chris Pyatt, Syd Vanderpool, Mamadou Thiam, Harry Simon, Hacine Cherifi, Mikkel Kessler, Armand Kranjc, Silvio Branco, Howard Eastman, Felix Sturm, Wilfredo Rivera, Keith Holmes, Yuri Foreman, Kelly Pavlik, Marco Antonio Rubio.
So, of that exulted company above, Ivory made it to the final bell in 14 of the 18 contests.
For many casual fight fans staying on your feet for an inevitable points loss isn't much of an achievement. I would say, in this case, those people are missing the point.
Journeymen fighters often save the show at the last minute when fighters pull out. They often prove a stern test of a prospect's credentials. Good journeymen are skilled enough to avoid getting seriously hurt and while they rarely get the bright lights of fanfare they are wholly appreciated by those inside the sport of boxing.
Birmingham boxer Peter Buckley had an incredible 300 fights in a career spanning nearly 20 years.
Buckley had a reasonable start to his career. Of his first 31 fights he won 17.
Of course, his final record was a lot different - 32-256-12. He was stopped 10 times and his best achievements were arguably winning the Midlands Area Super-Featherweight Championship in 1992 and the Midlands Area Super-Bantamweight title in 1995.
If you look at Buckley's record, the man was fighting up to three times a month, even towards the tail-end of his career. Just think how important he has been to boxing promoters.
What a servant to the sport.
Let's look at the notable names on Buckley's record: 'Prince' Naseem Hamed (twice), Duke McKenzie, Michael Brodie (twice), Paul Ingle (twice), Colin McMillan and Acelino Freitas.
Here are some of the notable domestic names on Buckley's record: Spencer Oliver, Jason Booth, Scott Harrison, Michael Gomez, Richie Wenton, Jason Cook, Bradley Pryce, Gavin Rees, Lee Meager, Scott Lawton, Derry Matthews and John Murray.
There are also numerous debutants and other decent domestic-level fighters whose learning curve in the sport was aided by taking on the experienced and wily Buckley.
In his final fight Buckley managed to score a rare victory when he outpointed Martin Mohammed over four rounds. Fittingly he was awarded a small trophy and belt.
He then bowed out of boxing.
Respected if not revered. Peter Buckley, like Anthony Ivory, deserves figtht fans' respect for his services to the sport.
* I'm keen to hear from fellow fight fans. If anyone wants to get in touch I can be reached via twitter: http://twitter.com/jabhookblog/
In such a tough sport, with so many obstacles, bad luck, injuries, promotional wrangles and so forth, it can be hard to make it through the fog.
To have a winning record is something to be proud of but it can also be misleading. A boxer with a bit of a quirk - that might mean talent but it could also mean a huge following, an attractive appearance or a confident manner in front of the camera - might be allowed to build up an unbeaten record to make them an even more attractive proposition.
In short, their record and ego may be inflated and unrepresentative of their actual talent.
But most fighters aren't afforded that luxury. It's often sink or swim as far as the promoter is concerned and as the passages of time many promosing talents end up sliding. Do they continue in the sport? Well, it depends if they still have the passion and something to offer. If a fighter is not being hurt and can provide something and be a test at some level of the sport than why not carry on.
This is where a journeyman may appear.
Let's flip the coin from the unbeaten prospect and his cushioned path towards glory and look at two classic examples of journeymen at their very best - the American Anthony Ivory and gritty Brit Peter Buckland.
Anthony Ivory finished fighting in 2006. He ended up with a 32-78-5 record. In 115 fights he was only stopped five times.
Ivory actually won the first eight of his nine fights before his record slid. Perhaps his most memorable victory came in 1993 when he stopped future world title challenger Antwun Echols in one round.
Here are a list of future world champions and world title challengers he fought: Julio Cesar Vasquez, Luis Ramon 'Yori Boy' Campas, Ronald 'Winky' Wright, Chris Pyatt, Syd Vanderpool, Mamadou Thiam, Harry Simon, Hacine Cherifi, Mikkel Kessler, Armand Kranjc, Silvio Branco, Howard Eastman, Felix Sturm, Wilfredo Rivera, Keith Holmes, Yuri Foreman, Kelly Pavlik, Marco Antonio Rubio.
So, of that exulted company above, Ivory made it to the final bell in 14 of the 18 contests.
For many casual fight fans staying on your feet for an inevitable points loss isn't much of an achievement. I would say, in this case, those people are missing the point.
Journeymen fighters often save the show at the last minute when fighters pull out. They often prove a stern test of a prospect's credentials. Good journeymen are skilled enough to avoid getting seriously hurt and while they rarely get the bright lights of fanfare they are wholly appreciated by those inside the sport of boxing.
Birmingham boxer Peter Buckley had an incredible 300 fights in a career spanning nearly 20 years.
Buckley had a reasonable start to his career. Of his first 31 fights he won 17.
Of course, his final record was a lot different - 32-256-12. He was stopped 10 times and his best achievements were arguably winning the Midlands Area Super-Featherweight Championship in 1992 and the Midlands Area Super-Bantamweight title in 1995.
If you look at Buckley's record, the man was fighting up to three times a month, even towards the tail-end of his career. Just think how important he has been to boxing promoters.
What a servant to the sport.
Let's look at the notable names on Buckley's record: 'Prince' Naseem Hamed (twice), Duke McKenzie, Michael Brodie (twice), Paul Ingle (twice), Colin McMillan and Acelino Freitas.
Here are some of the notable domestic names on Buckley's record: Spencer Oliver, Jason Booth, Scott Harrison, Michael Gomez, Richie Wenton, Jason Cook, Bradley Pryce, Gavin Rees, Lee Meager, Scott Lawton, Derry Matthews and John Murray.
There are also numerous debutants and other decent domestic-level fighters whose learning curve in the sport was aided by taking on the experienced and wily Buckley.
In his final fight Buckley managed to score a rare victory when he outpointed Martin Mohammed over four rounds. Fittingly he was awarded a small trophy and belt.
He then bowed out of boxing.
Respected if not revered. Peter Buckley, like Anthony Ivory, deserves figtht fans' respect for his services to the sport.
* I'm keen to hear from fellow fight fans. If anyone wants to get in touch I can be reached via twitter: http://twitter.com/jabhookblog/
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