Are Journeymen/Gatekeepers the Bravest Fighters?

They agree to fights against fighters significantly better than they are. Not many top notch fighter would be willing to take fights they know they'll almost certainly lose, unless it is for a very big payday. Although some journeymen might fall straight after being hit to collect a paycheck, that is clearly not always the case, as can be seen below. Look who Everett 'bigfoot' Martin has fought against: George Foreman (10 rounds) Dwight Muhummed Qawi (10 rounds) Riddick Bowe (5 rounds) 'Bonecruser' Smith (8 rounds) Bert Cooper (10 rounds, win) Michael Moorer (10 rounds) Tim Witherspoon (10 rounds, win) Tony Tucker (10 rounds) Larry Holmes (10 rounds) Herbie Hide (10 rounds) Tony Tubbs (10 rounds Wladimir Klitschko (twice, 8 rounds both times) Ruslan Chagaev (4 rounds) Jesse Ferguson: 'Buster' Doulas (10 rds, win) Carl Williams (10 rds) Mike Tyson (5 rds) 'Bonecruser' Smith (10 rds) Oliver McCall (10 rds) Bruce Seldon (5 rds) Michael Dokes (10 rds) Tony Tubbs (10 rds) Ray Mercer (10 rds, win; second time, 10 rds, loss) Riddick Bowe (2 rds) Frank Bruno (1 rd) Larry Holmes (10 rds) Alex Stewart (10 rds) Hasim Rahman (12 rds) Andrew Golota (10 rds)

Comments (6)

Bodyshot3

Monte Barrett is a great example as well, especially because he has the great habit of turrning up for his own public execution and then unexpectedly wielding the axe himself. Has lost to - Haye Valuev Solis Wlad K Rahman Mesi Cameron Ustinov Has ruined the 'big time' plans of - Fields Tua Guinn Thunder Beck Ended/shortened the careers of: Terrible Tim Witherspoon Greg Page Phil Jackson Barrett comes and throw his shots, takes his chances and is a credit to his sport. Had a particularly good scrap with the Hayemaker in London!

13y ago

LeG00N

Yes, I consider Cotto brave

13y ago

_Gatti_

they are surely the most dangerous. When you're ath the crossroads in Boxing you fight with hunger. When you get to the top...you forget the hunger you had that got you there. Until you're reminded!

13y ago

White_Knight

Alot of those guys didnt have options so they had to take those fights. Yeah, but they didn't have to stay in there for 10 rounds taking punches from the hardest punchers in boxing. They could have pretended to be hurt by a punch in round 2 and not got up.

13y ago

RVABoxer

Yea definitely these guys deserve much respect many of them are probably making a lot less than they deserve for the punishment they take to feed themselves/their families. And they are the probably the fighters that come out with the most health problems after their career

13y ago

PBP

They have to be tough. I have mad respect for fighters like Chop Chop that travel the world to take on tough fights. He got up 8 or 9 times in his fight against Matthysse.

13y ago