What is a "journeyman".

[Barn]

I'm new to boxing and have just started posting on the forum.
I would like to know what a "journeyman" is, the word seems to get used quite a lot and I have no idea what it means.
Thanks, Andy.
Sorry for the lack of boxing jargon

[TheRatman]

I have always thought of one as a gate keeper of sorts. One that had challaged for the belts several time but has come up short. A fighter that is not good enough to beat the champ but good enough to push the champ to his limits. A guy like Emanuel Burton.

[Mr Punch.]

A journeyman boxer is defined as a fighter who has adequate boxing skill, but does not have the caliber of a contender or gatekeeper. Outside of boxing, a "journeyman" is a trader or crafter who has completed an apprenticeship, but is not at the level of a master craftsman. Hence, when applied to boxing, a "journeyman boxer" implies a fighter who is no longer a novice, and has the sufficient degree of boxing skill that may be expected from a professional, but who does not have the mastery possessed by the contenders.

Journeymen will often serve as opponents for young up and coming prospects and will often step in at late notice should a fight fall through. Journeymen are said to have little or no expectation of winning fights against contenders or gatekeepers, but this does not preclude them from having a winning record against less-skilled fighters.

[TheRatman]

Much better answer siren. I was getting gatekeeper and journeymen mixed up.

[Barn]

Thanks to both for the answers much appreciated.

[joe strong]

A journeyman boxer is defined as a fighter who has adequate boxing skill, but does not have the caliber of a contender or gatekeeper. Outside of boxing, a "journeyman" is a trader or crafter who has completed an apprenticeship, but is not at the level of a master craftsman. Hence, when applied to boxing, a "journeyman boxer" implies a fighter who is no longer a novice, and has the sufficient degree of boxing skill that may be expected from a professional, but who does not have the mastery possessed by the contenders.

Journeymen will often serve as opponents for young up and coming prospects and will often step in at late notice should a fight fall through. Journeymen are said to have little or no expectation of winning fights against contenders or gatekeepers, but this does not preclude them from having a winning record against less-skilled fighters.

pretty accurate except the journeyman crafts man. it many skilled trades the journeyman is the highest level attained.such as my trade as a journeyman ironworker...other trades have master levels but not all.his boxing description of a journeyman is **** on...good post!