Tune-Up Fighters: The bravest boxers of all?

**Slipx** · 10-14-2005, 07:58 AM

Originally posted by Anorak

But how brave would you have to be to get in a ring with someone leagues above your skill level, someone that you KNOW you have NO CHANCE WHATSOEVER to beat, and knowing there's at least a 70% chance you'll spend the evening getting knocked unconscious?

theres actually an art to journeyman style losing, probably the best at it is Jerry and his son, Reggie Strickland.

Jerry Strickland 13(5)-122-0
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=000306

Reggie Strickland 66(14)-275-17
http://www.boxrec.com/boxer_display.php?boxer_id=004741

these guys never get 'unconscious', they just fight with 100% defense and 0 offense and rarely get hit. the type of fighters you dont want on a card.if you think ruiz fights ugly, watch any strickland bout except a winning one, the times reggie won interested me actually from what I understand he fought some undefeated cat and beat him!..and the guy wanted a rematch but im not sure if they had one. you know that guy felt bad. i'd look through the record and find it but I don't feel like searching through 300+ fights

**+= El Jefe=+** · 10-14-2005, 08:02 AM

and may i add they dont get paid ****

**Slipx** · 10-14-2005, 08:03 AM

Originally posted by El Jefe De Jefes

and may i add they dont get paid ****

nope but they fight like once a week somewhere though, throw in welfare and you're ballin outta control

**Rockin'** · 10-14-2005, 12:45 PM

Every fightehas his place on the food chain. Each wolf will search for his own meals, but the games of the forest detour and misplace the wolves, each on its own path of destruction.

Nearly every fighter has had a tune up bout for him. Hand delivered from the promoter..... the tune up ends up face down.

Every main event fighter, if he does not retire at a proper time, will become a tune up or test for some up and coming fighter.

Every properly managed debuting professional will get a bout to get their feet wet before wading head strong into deeper waters.

It is the way of the forest............

Rockin'

**Guest** · 10-14-2005, 12:56 PM

Originally posted by Rockin1

Every fightehas his place on the food chain. Each wolf will search for his own meals, but the games of the forest detour and misplace the wolves, each on its own path of destruction.

Nearly every fighter has had a tune up bout for him. Hand delivered from the promoter..... the tune up ends up face down.

Every main event fighter, if he does not retire at a proper time, will become a tune up or test for some up and coming fighter.

Every properly managed debuting professional will get a bout to get their feet wet before wading head strong into deeper waters.

It is the way of the forest............

Rockin'

Sorry Rockin', I think you know what I mean anyway, but can you confirm - does the culture of "tune ups for established fighters" happen in the US? It's quite common in the UK.

What I mean by it is not "easy" opponents for those guys learning the ropes and working their way up. I mean like totally outclassed opponents offered to higher league fighters who have been out of the ring for a while and so on.

An example of this would be getting some 8 fight novice with no power or chin to step in with Vitali to give him some rounds after the lay-off.

**Rockin'** · 10-14-2005, 01:11 PM

It does happen, but Brad Wright has stepped in as the acting commisioner in my state of Michigan. He is a great guy for the sport. He will not allow the states appointed council, who know very little about the actual sport, to throw a guy to the wolves. The council could ofcourse over turn his wishes and allow those kinds of bouts but the council has been working very closley with Brad in the Recent past.

Brad Wright is doing good for boxing.

Rockin'

**Guest** · 10-14-2005, 01:37 PM

Would you take a bout like that if offered?

**Rockin'** · 10-14-2005, 01:55 PM

My last fight was like that. I had been out of the ring for a good 4 to 5 years. No training or anything except the occasional shadowboxing in the back yard.

I had gotten a different used car, a descent job and had just moved into a descent house that I was renting. Everything was great.

Then the car breaks down, I end up losing my job as a direct result and rent is do on the house that Im renting. A month goes by and the landlord begins making threats.

Hey, call up the match maker. So I call him and he tells me that there is an undefeated fighter in another state that I should be able to handle with no problem at all if I was anything like I used to be. He asks, "Have you been training.... My response, "Sure Ive been training, I'm in great shape."

So we agreed on the terms of the contract and next thing I know we are driving out of state on the way to the fight. Driving there I knew that I was nothing like I had used to be. My timing was missing, my range was uncertain and the many cigarettes did not help the lungs. Driving down I knew that I had the knowledge and skill to win the fight, but would I have the wind to hear the last bell.

Midway through the ride to the fights I had ended the debating inside of mind. I was debating whether I should just jump on him and try to end it early or if I should box and move in hopes of conserving enough energy to finish the fight. The decision was made and written now in stone as we entered the arena.

Inside of the dressing room I could hear the roar of the crowd as I heard the distinctive sound of a body falling to the canvas. The crowd erupts in vial pleasure the arena begins to rock from the stomping feet. I raise from my chair, again stretching out my arms and kicking my legs to keep them loose.

As the level of noise in the crowd dissipates,the locker room door opens and through it walks the fighter, followed by his cornermen.

To be continued.................Rockin'

**Guest** · 10-14-2005, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Rockin1

My last fight was like that. I had been out of the ring for a good 4 to 5 years. No training or anything except the occasional shadowboxing in the back yard.

I had gotten a different used car, a descent job and had just moved into a descent house that I was renting. Everything was great.

Then the car breaks down, I end up losing my job as a direct result and rent is do on the house that Im renting. A month goes by and the landlord begins making threats.

Hey, call up the match maker. So I call him and he tells me that there is an undefeated fighter in another state that I should be able to handle with no problem at all if I was anything like I used to be. He asks, "Have you been training.... My response, "Sure Ive been training, I'm in great shape."

So we agreed on the terms of the contract and next thing I know we are driving out of state on the way to the fight. Driving there I knew that I was nothing like I had used to be. My timing was missing, my range was uncertain and the many cigarettes did not help the lungs. Driving down I knew that I had the knowledge and skill to win the fight, but would I have the wind to hear the last bell.

Midway through the ride to the fights I had ended the debating inside of mind. I was debating whether I should just jump on him and try to end it early or if I should box and move in hopes of conserving enough energy to finish the fight. The decision was made and written now in stone as we entered the arena.

Inside of the dressing room I could hear the roar of the crowd as I heard the distinctive sound of a body falling to the canvas. The crowd erupts in vial pleasure the arena begins to rock from the stomping feet. I raise from my chair, again stretching out my arms and kicking my legs to keep them loose.

As the level of noise in the crowd dissipates,the locker room door opens and through it walks the fighter, followed by his cornermen.

To be continued.................Rockin'

Come on, you can't leave us hanging like that.

You ought to write this stuff regularly...

Tune-Up Fighters: The bravest boxers of all?