Many people see these fighters with sometimes hundreds of losses, we assume they must be terrible. Are they right? What is a journeyman?
What is the purpose of journeymen?
You often see prospects starting out fighting men with awful records. Why is that? The reason you see up and coming fighters in the ring with people with terrible records is for experience. The pro game is very different to the amateurs and comes with more rounds and smaller gloves.
Some journeymen could *probably* beat the man in front of them however, this would be detrimental and would almost definitely prevent them from getting more fights. Some are awkward, some are quick, some hit hard it is down to the promoter and trainer to find the right journeymen for the right pro.
Eventually prospects will stop fighting journeymen once they are a more complete fighter and have survived the acid test.
How do people become journeymen?
Often it is not a fighters intention to become a journeyman but unfortunately life makes this choice for them. Not being born into money, having the time or place to train. Not having an exciting fighting style. These are just some of the reasons someone can end up becoming a moving punching bag.
Not being able to sell tickets is often the biggest factor in all of this. To a promoter you are a bad investment if you are not putting people in seats. So whats the other option?
Train less, diet less no obligation of tickets to be sold and get paid. This is a good deal when money is on the line. You will travel the world, share the ring with the best and be a part of the journey (journeyman)
How much do journeymen get paid?
Boxing comes across as glamorous and lucrative but unfortunately this isn’t the case for the majority of fighters. Journeymen can expect to make around £1000-£3000 ($1,200-$3,600) per fight. Which obviously isn’t a lot to risk your life in the name of entertainment. Most journeymen are able to fight a few times a month providing they do not get knocked out. So it can turn out to be a decent wage overall but it comes with plenty of risk.
Worst records in boxing
Kristian Laight: 12-279
Kristian Laight: 12-279
Laight was a professional of 15 years, he competed in the lightweight division from 2003 to 2018.
Known as Mr Reliable – Losing his first five fights after starting in 2003.
Kristian Laight was dubbed Mr Reliable, reliable to lose that was. His first win was in 2004, when he beat Jaz Virdee via a decision.
However, following this Laight went on a 16-fight losing streak until he finally got a second win in 2006. Kristian Laight finished his career with the most losses in boxing history – an astonishing 279
His historic record stands at 12-279.
Reggie Strickland: 66-276
Before Laight there was Reggie Strickland, the original boxing journeyman.
Raglin’ Reggie started his career in 1987 in the and continued until 2005. It was a painful career – he got knocked out 26 times.
Of the 363 times he entered the ring he lost 276 times. It wasn’t all bad though; he did manage to win 66 fights.
Strickland was often used as a professional opponent for up-and-coming prospects.
His brother Jack experienced a similar career, retiring in 2000 with a record of 13-122.
If you are looking for the worst boxers of all time you will find them here
Who has the worst record in boxing?
Kristian Laight had a professional record of 12-279 – The worst of all time.
How much do journeymen get paid?
On average journeymen earn between £1000-£3000 ($1,200-$3,600) per fight.