Boxing’s best “Gatekeepers”

[mrpain81]

a two time lightweight champ

a former welterweight champ

two former junior lightweight champs

lol damn those some exacting standard you have

Gatekeepers can hold paper titles too

Who was the Welter Champ??

[rizkybizness]

He's only lost to Margs and Baldy on a dq.
Who are these "young bucks" that he can't beat.


A gatekeeper is someone who is usually matched against top prospects looking to enhance their name and shoot for a world championship. A gatekeeper is someone the prospects promoter feels can be beaten while providing a decent test.

No one really wants to fight Clottey. That's not what a gatekeeper is.

Learn how to read, gatekeeper.

I said he CAN beat the young bucks, I never said he couldn't.

[ReadyUp]

Learn how to read, gatekeeper.

I said he CAN beat the young bucks, I never said he couldn't.

Oh okay. Gotcha.

But Clottey at welterweight is a little too elite at this moment in time (even if it's not the complete top of the list elite) to be a gatekeeper.

He could easily become one. But he def is not one right now.

[rizkybizness]

Oh okay. Gotcha.

But Clottey at welterweight is a little too elite at this moment in time (even if it's not the complete top of the list elite) to be a gatekeeper.

He could easily become one. But he def is not one right now.

but in a way, if some newcomer fights and beats Clottey, I'm sure the general consensus would be that this person is ready for the elite.

I think it's safe to say he's the gatekeeper to the elite, not necessarily the entire WW division.

[Eaner0919]

Gatekeepers can hold paper titles too

Who was the Welter Champ??

forgot Tono was fighting for the vacant title my bad

and IDK while yes they can hold paper titles its not like Julio Diaz is getting beat by young guys looking to advance. His last two losses if I am not mistaken were to JLC and Juan Diaz, two fighters considered to be the best or one of the best in his division.

[mrpain81]

Yeah Julio Diaz is borderline, he's a good fighter against journeymen type's and gets beat pretty handidly the top fighters he faced.

Let's not forget him against "El Pollo"



I would like to add

Rocky Juarez
Bobby Pacquiao
Darnell Wilson

[ReadyUp]

but in a way, if some newcomer fights and beats Clottey, I'm sure the general consensus would be that this person is ready for the elite.

I think it's safe to say he's the gatekeeper to the elite, not necessarily the entire WW division.

Exactly. If a newcomer or unknown beat Clottey most would think that the unknown person was a pretty elite fighter. So the same could be said for every elite fighter. If Margarito was to lose to anyone then they would automatically become elite thus making him a "gatekeeper" in your term as well.

Does Clottey become a stepping stone for EVERY fighter trying to cross into the elite then? I believe most would still say no unless he was beaten up and knocked unconcious by the unknown.

Take Judah for example. He's not getting any better. He's put on miles that can't be ignored. And Zab Judah has looked extremely vulnerable for the past 5 or more fights now. Yet, he's still just dangerous enough and getting the pass as an acceptable opponent for a young contender to fight on a major network.

That my friend, is a TRUE gatekeeper.

[Tha_Greatest]

Some of you people are straight idiots.

Jermain Taylor? Gatekeeper? Former middleweight champion of the world and has only lost to one person. Gatekeeper?

Idiots.

so what is he, a serious champ,Hopkins fights were 2 robberies and he practically lost to spinks, he was a idiot with another bad call for winky, he doesnt do well vs big names, hes at gatekeeper status, hes doing worse and worse as time passes

[ReadyUp]

so what is he, a serious champ,Hopkins fights were 2 robberies and he practically lost to spinks, he was a idiot with another bad call for winky, he doesnt do well vs big names, hes at gatekeeper status, hes doing worse and worse as time passes

No matter how you saw the fights.....(and no Hopkins did not beat Taylor despite winning big 4 rounds of the first fight)

Is Winky Wright a budding superstar? NO.
Is Bernard Hopkins a young gun? NO.
Even Cory Spinks, who was the junior middle champ when he fought JT, was he a new lion? NO.
Pavlik is about the biggest upstart JT has fought in the last 5-6 fights and Pavlik was already considered a very serious contender when they fought the first time. And it was for the championship.

So who are these prospects that Bad Intentions has been fighting to get the "gatekeeper" status by you?

These guys to be considered "gatekeepers" have to be subjected as stepping stone status by prospects.

The man's last fight was against the Ring Middleweight champion.....yeah, real gatekeeper.

[BennyST]

I think Rocky Juarez is a good gate keeper.

Juarez is what I consider the ultimate gatekeeper and probably one of the best around today. He never loses to contenders but always loses to the top guys in his division. If you beat Juarez you will probably win a title. He also never gets beaten badly by the top guys though it's usually clear who wins.

Juarez is the first guy that came to mind for me.

Also Robbie Peden has become a kind of Gatekeeper.

Funnily enough, most people not long ago considered Nate Campbell the main gatekeeper of the lightweight division. Check out his record. He always fought the big prospects coming up. Unfortunately for them (and fortunately for him), he always beat the **** out of them!!!

Now, he is not considered a gatekeeper of course but not long ago he would have been probably the best gatekeeper in boxing.