Journeymen: The Other Side of the Boxing Business, a New Perspective on the Noble Art

by Mark Turley

Overview

Journeymen tells a story that is often purposely ignored - that of the modern-day boxers who lose for a living. Far from huge purses and pay-per-view hype, the book lays bare the reality of the boxing business and the way it works in small-hall venues countrywide. October 2013 saw the 100th and final fight in the career of East London's Johnny Greaves, remarkable in that he won only four contests. He took fights at short notice, facing young prospects with the implicit understanding that he was not there to win. Journeymen features in-depth interviews with Greaves and other men who have similarly served the fight game, including Kristian Laight (180 defeats), Jason Nesbitt (178) and Daniel Thorpe (113). Though sometimes dark, their tales reveal humour, wisdom and sporting pride: the journeymen eschew glamour, make the best of what they have and face the world with a smile and a wink.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781785311444
Publisher:	Pitch Publishing Ltd
Publication date:	06/15/2016
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.08(w) x 7.80(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Mark Turley regularly attends and covers small-hall shows for BoxingScene, and was previously a staff writer for BoxRec.com. Mark is from a boxing family and is related to several former and current professional fighters. Originally from south of the river, he now lives in North London with his wife and two daughters.

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Two Sides of the Same Sport 15

Writers write, fighters fight 21

Hearts of gold, bodies of steel 33

'Boxing saved my life.' 41

The sins of the father, visited on the son 66

The Enigma 83

'I love getting hit' 96

On the Road with Mr Reliable 122

The One Man Riot 141

'Undefeated in the home corner' 169

I could have been a contender 184

'These boys can't beat me!' 203

Putting up with all the bullshit 220

The Final Bell 235

The Smiths, remembered 251