What’s this “journeyman” thing in boxing? I hear folks talking ’bout it all the time. Sounds kinda fancy, but I reckon it ain’t that complicated. I’ll try to explain the best I can, don’t know no fancy words though, just plain ol’ talk.
So, this journeyman, they’re like, the worker bees of boxing. Not the big shots, not the ones winnin’ all them shiny belts. They’re the ones in there, you know, gettin’ punched and punchin’ back, but mostly just helpin’ the young fellas learn the ropes. It is a tough life, but some people just love it.
You see these young boxers, all full of fire and vinegar? They need someone to teach ’em. And that’s where the journeyman comes in. They’re like, the test. Can this young buck handle the pressure? Can he take a hit? Can he keep goin’ when he’s tired? This journeyman in boxing, he’ll show ’em all that.
Now, don’t go thinkin’ these journeymen are just punching bags. They ain’t no pushovers, oh no. They know all the tricks, all the moves. They’ve been around the block a time or two, seen it all. They might not win many fights, but they’re tough as nails. Many people think they are just old and can not fight any more, but that is not true.
Some of them got good records even, especially back home. If a boxer is good at his home, then he can be a good journeyman. They beat the fellas who ain’t so good, but they lose to the ones who are better. That’s just how it goes. But they always give a good show. Always. They know how to fight, even if they don’t always win. It’s important for boxing, you know? Every boxer needs to start somewhere.
- They ain’t in it for the glory.
- They ain’t in it for the fame.
- They’re just doin’ a job. A hard job.
- And they are very important for what is a journeyman in boxing.
I heard someone say anyone can be a journeyman, and I guess it is true. Even someone who just started can work hard and then become a journeyman. It’s like, workin’ your way up, you know? Start at the bottom, keep goin’, and one day you’re there. Ain’t no shame in it. It’s honest work.
And these journeymen, they ain’t makin’ much money. A few hundred bucks a fight, maybe. Unless they gotta step in last minute, then they might get a bit more. It ain’t much, but it’s somethin’. It’s a living I guess. But they don’t mind, they love to fight. It is their life.
They’re like the unsung heroes of boxing. Nobody really talks about ’em, unless they pull off a big upset. Like that one time, that fella, Micky, I think his name was, he surprised everyone in Vegas. Beat a guy he wasn’t supposed to beat. That’s the thing about these journeymen, you never know. That is the beauty of boxing, you never know what will happen.
They might surprise you. They might teach those young fellas a thing or two. They might even win a fight they’re not supposed to. They are important, you know. Without them, boxing would not be the same. They make the good boxers better.
So next time you hear someone talkin’ ’bout a journeyman, don’t just dismiss ’em. Remember what I said. They’re the heart and soul of boxing, in a way. They’re the ones keepin’ it real, keepin’ it honest. They’re the ones who make sure those young boxers earn their stripes. They deserve our respect, I reckon. They work hard, they fight hard, and they never give up. That’s a journeyman for ya.
Some people say a journeyman is like a gatekeeper. You gotta beat him to get to the top. Makes sense, I guess. You gotta prove you’re good enough, and these journeymen, they’ll test ya. They’ll see if you got what it takes. And if you don’t, well, you got more work to do. Simple as that.
I hope I explained it good. It is not easy to say all these things, I am not very good at saying things. But I tried my best. I hope you understand what is a journeyman in boxing now.
